Introduction and Purpose
This is a web-based Log Book for building my first airplane, the Zenith Aircraft CH801. Its registration number is N1776G, and its name is "Sweet Liberty" with its nose art shown above. The 801 kit is a Short Take Off and Landing aircraft (STOL) which means that it has a slow stall speed and can take off and land in very short distances.
Some examples with various options are illustrated above. Although there are several choices for engines, I chose a Lycoming O-360 clone, the XP360. This log is primarily meant to record my building experience for later reference and to share it with other builders, like many of them are doing for me. For some of their logbooks, see the builder pages on the Zenith Aircraft webpage.
Why this plane? It can take off and land just about anywhere. It has a payload of 1000 lbs. With the O-360 engine installed and a 500 lb. load it has the following characteristics (from the Zenith web page):
Stall Speed (Flaps down) |
35 mph |
|
Take off roll |
290 ft. |
|
Cruise speed |
106 mph |
With these flight characteristics, some of the uses for it are as bush planes and crop dusters. Also, in case of an emergency, you can have more options on where to land with this plane with slow flight capability.
One of things I like about the design of this aircraft is the visibility. Above-wing aircraft usually don't allow you to see above you, but the wings on the 801 stop just before the cockpit and there is windshield over the pilot. Also, like any other above-wing aircraft, you can see easily see below you, as shown:
For more information on the aircraft itself, visit the Zenith Aircraft Company's web page.
This plane is built in subassemblies. Each of the subassemblies are listed above and as links on the left margin. As progress on those subassemblies develop, I will update those links. All of the opinions expressed here are my own and, of course, your mileage may vary.
IMPORTANT - Please read this notice before making use of anything shown on this website.
Images on this website are either Copyright Zenith Aircraft Company and used by permission or are copyright Gary Liming