In the summer of 2008, the author first became serious about building an airplane. After several years of consideration, a return to school gave the author enough free time to contemplate this undertaking.

Mike Sinclair's gorgeous CH 701 taildragger
Photo borrowed from CH601.org

In fall of 2008, the process of choosing an airplane to build began. Despite serious consideration of a custom design (made almost feasible in part due to the great minds sharing ideas at homebuiltairplanes), it was decided that the first plane built should be a kitplane in order to maximize the chances of completion. However, dreams of a future custom design restricted the kits considered to those using all-metal construction - the target technology for a future design.

Major decision drivers were price, build complexity, operating costs, reputation of the kit manufacturer, and flying characteristics. The end goal was to get a plane that would be fun to fly. To keep operating costs low and reliability high, the author was heavily biased towards designs that have been demonstrated flying with the Jabiru 2200 engine, although other engines, including the popular Rotax 912/912S and the relatively unknown ULPower 260i may yet be selected.

Many manufacturers make kits that are promising by the criteria above, but the final decision came down to two completely different aircraft: the Sonex Sport Acro (see image, borrowed from Sonex) and the Zenith CH 701. Price, weight, engine choice, and construction techniques are comparable between these two planes, but it's hard to imagine two planes that fly more differently. The Sonex is a slippery, efficient machine comfortable with both acro and cross country flights. The CH 701 is an unattractive collection of high-drag parts whose main claim to fame is a stall speed in the 30 mph range. For the author, the latter seems more appealing as a first plane, giving more flexibility in off-field operation, better visibility, and generally being more of a "fun" aircraft - and perhaps being a better complement for a future custom design.

In September of 2008, the author drove eleven hours each way to attend Zenith's Open Hanger Day. This wonderful weekend included a short session on scratch building with Mark Townsend of Can-Zac Aviation - expect that name to come up again. There was also a session with USJabiru's Pete Krotje, who flew in with a CH 701 fitted with a Jabiru 2200 engine and a now-available custom firewall-forward kit (see image, borrowed from Zenith). The author also got a shot at the right seat of a 701 during this visit, and found the flying characteristics exactly as was hoped - fun!

In Missouri, the author also got a chance to see and sit in (but not fly in) the CH 750 (see image, borrowed from Zenith), a scaled-up CH 701 designed to max out the LSA category. The CH 750 was announced after the author's decision to build a CH 701, but before any financial commitment was made. On seeing the CH 750, the advantages are obvious; it's a larger, more comfortable airplane. However, the additional cost (significantly higher kit price, and the need for a bigger engine), plus the potential for some birthing pains (the kit has not yet been completely designed) made staying with the CH 701 a comfortable choice.

It is now October of 2008. On the weekend of October 18th, the author will attend a rudder workshop at Can-Zac, at the completion of which he will be able to hang on his wall the first completed part of his future airplane. At the same time, the tail kit will be ordered and delivered to Pittsburgh, at which point the author need only build a workbench, get all necessary tools, develop a comfortable shop, and start building!