Welcome to the official home page for Zenair™ kit aircraft designs. Zenith Aircraft Online provides detailed information and resources on sport (experimental) aviation and our exciting line of homebuilt kit planes for sport pilots. For access to our previous site, please click here.
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For a quarter century Zenith Aircraft Company has been manufacturing and marketing aircraft kits from its modern production facilities at the Mexico Memorial Airport in Missouri. With customers across the U.S. and around the world, Zenith Aircraft Company is a leading manufacturer of aircraft kits, with a proven commitment to builders and owners. Zenith Aircraft Company is in the exclusive business of designing, developing and manufacturing kit aircraft. The independent, privately-owned company was formed in 1992 and is based in leased 20,000+ sq.ft. production facilities. Zenith Aircraft Company acquired the exclusive rights to manufacture and market Zenair kit aircraft designs from designer Chris Heintz. The company is a proud member and supporter of the Experimental Aircraft Assoc. (EAA), the Aircraft Kit Industry Association (AKIA), and numerous other organizations dedicated to the advancement of sport aviation. Zenith Aircraft Company is continuously involved in projects devoted to aviation education and the advancement of sport aviation around the world. More... In the news: Sport Aviation 11/17 Kitplanes 11/17 |
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| Name | Zenith CH650 | STOL CH701 | STOL CH750 | Zenith CH750 Cruzer | Zenith CH750 Super Duty |
| Seating | 2 Place | 2 Place | 2 Place | 2 Place | 3 Place |
| Wing Style | Low wing | High Wing | High Wing | High Wing | High Wing |
| Maximum Continious Speed (sea level) |
138 mph | 95 mph | 100 mph | 118 mph | 115 mph |
| Crusing (TAS) 8000 ft |
160 mph | 98 mph | 100 mph | 118 mph | 105 mph |
| Stall Speed | 44 mph | 30 mph | 35 mph | 39 mph | 39 mph |
| Takeoff Distance | 550 ft | 90 ft | 100 ft | 350 ft | 115 ft |
| Landing Distance | 500 ft | 140 ft | 125 ft | 350 ft | 150 ft |
| Range | 656 miles | 350 miles | 440 miles | 525 miles | 400 miles |
| Kit Price (starting price) |
$18,500 | $14,000 | $22,500 | $22,000 | $28,000 |
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In 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration approved the creation of the Sport Pilot License and the Light Sport Aircraft Category. With this addition, flight became more affordable and achievable by the general population. Unlike Private Pilots, Sport pilots are not required to have an annual medical, and can fly with no more than a current driver's license (after successfully earning the Sport Pilot license). Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) are single engine planes with no more than two seats, a maximum weight of 1300 lbs, a maximum stall speed of 51 mph and a maximum speed of 138 mph. Light Sport Aircraft can be homebuilt or purchased completed; however, there are many benefits to building your own aircraft. When built according to the design, the CH650, CH701 STOL, CH750 STOL and CH750 Cruzer are all categorized as Light Sport Aircraft and would be an excellent choice for any Sport Pilot. More info... |
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How do planes fly? What creates lift? How are aircraft designed? How does a STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) Aircraft work? Design and Construction College is an online resource designed to provide the homebuilder with practical and technical information about flight, aerodynamics and aircraft design. More... |
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An accomplished aeronautical engineer, Chris Heintz is a graduate of the E.T.H Institute in Switzerland. As a young man, Heintz began to design and build his own all metal homebuilt aircraft incorporating simple construction methods throughout. As founder, president and chief engineer of Zenair Ltd. since 1974, Mr. Heintz has designed and developed more than 12 new aircraft models, which have been marketed as kit aircraft around the world. More than 800 aircraft are presently flying around the world in 48 different countries. Heintz designs have earned an excellent reputation among pilots, builders, the press, and aviation authorities for their durable all-metal construction, normal flight characteristics, reliability, and low maintenance requirements. Chris Heintz does not only design, test and promote aircraft, he is also actively involved in all facets of general aviation as a long-time EAA member, frequently giving lectures and forums at chapter meetings and fly-ins. Heintz is also a sought-after light aircraft engineering consultant, consulting to governments, organizations, universities, and private individuals. While Heintz is now retired, he is still active as a designer and engineer, and has written a book on light aircraft design. More... |
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The Zenith aircraft are designed to provide attractive performance using efficient and lightweight new-generation aircraft engines, like the UL Power and Jabiru 3300, while also being suitable for traditional but heavier aircraft engines such as the Continental O-200 and Lycoming O-233 / 235.
While all aircraft are designed within certain power and engine weight guidelines, Chris Heintz did not design these aircraft "around" a particular engine - to maximize the customer's choice of installed powerplant. Recommended power is 100 to 125 horsepower, up to 300 lbs. installed weight. More... |
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SAM Aircraft assets (including the design and flying prototype) were acquired last year by the sons of aircraft designer Chris Heintz, the owners and operators of Zenith Aircraft Company (in the U.S.) and Zenair Ltd. (in Canada). Since that time engineers at Zenair Ltd. have been designing the SAM-EX, and kit production specialists at Zenith Aircraft have been preparing parts and assemblies for CNC manufacturing (to produce kit parts with final hole size match drilling, ready for assembly and riveting). More... |