Zenair CH701
The Saskatchewan EAA chapter has received a partially completed Zenair CH701 STOL aircraft donated by the estate of Richard Paice a Regina private pilot. Richard had been working on the project since 2007 when he attended a Rudder Building Workshop at the Zenith factory in Mexico, Missouri.
Sadly Richard passed away in 2016, it was his wish that the project be donated to EAA 154.
Special thanks to Richard Paice and his family for this wonderful donation.
September 2023 update
Been awhile since there was an update not due to lack of progress however.
The panel layout was finalized, installed, wired and powered up. Dave put considerable effort into getting this right and the result is fantastic.
With the panel out of the way work on the cowling has begun starting with a trial fitting of the top and bottom fiberglass sections. Getting closer and closer to that first flight.
December 2022 update
We’ve been plugging away at the 701. Airframe and flying bits completed. Took some of it apart including wings off to accommodate fuel and electrical systems work. Starting to put it back together again and working on wiring.
Doors on and Beanie Mod in progress.
Starting the panel and electrical system
Nothing like a good mockup!
Avionics tray looking good.
Panel progress.
Header tank and pumps for the fuel system coming together.
Vic fine tuning fairing mockup for the Beanie Modification.
Look at all that extra headroom!
More panel.
Transponder tray.
Plumbing the wing tanks.
Header tank and fuel filters up in the belly of the beast.
Starting the wiring.
More wiring.
Panel in the plane!
Starting to look like a real airplane!
November 2021 Update
Build sessions are back on for Saturdays 10:30 to 2:30 at the east most hanger Disley CDS2. The airport is located 1/2 kilometer east of the town of Disley. Contact David Stanchuk 306 537-5467 (mobile) if your planning on coming out to make sure the build is on that Saturday.
October 2021 Update
Late this summer the CH701 was relocated to hangar 4 at Disley. A few finishing touches on the hangar and other commitments have prevented any build sessions taking place but we hope to be getting back into production soon. The in-floor heating system is ready to be charged and will allow for building in comfort all winter long. An update will be sent out when we get at it again.
December 2020 Update
Continued building through the summer until the group was distracted by a hangar acquisition and build in September. Disley now has 4 hangars and will be home to the 701 eventually. Building to resume sometime in the new year pending COVID restrictions. Stay tuned!
Wings on! Going to have trouble getting through the door, George, Doug and Ron.
George, Doug and Noel working on our baby's tail end.
It's a full shop.
June 2020 Update
Building started again in May with the closing in of the wings now completed. June 13th saw the first steps of mounting the wings to the fuselage. We were very happy with how well the wings and fuselage lined up and it was exciting to see the wings (almost) on the aircraft.
March 2020 Update
With the COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings we have decided to suspend build sessions for the time being.
Work had been proceeding on closing in the wings, tail sections and various control surfaces. On closer inspection we decided the elevator was not salvageable and started looking at options for replacement. A posting on the Zenith builders website resulted in an offer of a free one if we covered shipping, as luck would have it the chapter president (Ron Wood) was driving by Post Falls Idaho returning from a vacation in California. After a short detour the new elevator was in hand. Thanks to Vance Simons of EAA Chapter 1554 for the elevator donation, and showing off his CH701 build.
Noel working on skin stiffeners for the wing
Ron discussing the beanie mod with Vance in Idaho
After a long road trip the elevator gave me and my wife some needed separation
October 2019 Update
Pre-cover inspection completed. One snag identified with the elevator.
Work now progressing on mounting tail sections to the fuselage.
September 2019 Update
Lots has been happening with the build over the spring and summer months and we are running out of things to do before the pre-cover inspection. Once the Flaperons are done and the wings are moved to the build site we can get this first inspection completed.
Regina Flying Club Open House CH701 fuselage with Viking 110 mounted
Young builder helping with a tail section.
Dave test fitting the cowlings Dave, Doug and Vic working on Flaperon construction.