Zenith Ch801 Aircraft Story

Why Did I Build A Super Seawind?
Dear People at Aircraft Spruce, I appreciate the fact you are helping people complete their planes with the $500 monthly drawing. I am submitting my plane project to be part of the drawing.

In 2002 I decided to build a Zenith CH801 four passenger bush-type plane. I wanted something to take off and land in the off field rural areas of Wisconsin. After taking the Zenith tail building course in Mexico, Missouri, I took two years out to build a garage and workshop. During the building process, I was researching what engine to use, and finally decided on the Mazda rotary engine. The rotary engine was purchased with the PowerSport redrive. Although this engine is known for safety and smooth performance, many purchase it because of its lack of weight. I have found that the initial weight was extremely light (about 160 lbs.), but extras increase weight to that of a comparable aircraft engine. I had a special radiator built, and along with the oil cooler, the redrive, the fluids, and prop make the weight about the same. Online discussions about the engine mount led me to design my own. The radiator sits under the engine and will exhaust below. The oil cooler is mounted on the right side of the cowl. The fiberglass nose bowl began with making a Styrofoam form. The prop is Ivo in-flight electrically adjustable. The instrument panel is being finished with Dynon flight instruments, along with the fuel injection EPIS which came with the engine.

A plane kit comes with so little to finish the plane. This is especially true in my case, where the engine is so unusual. Therefore everything from the firewall forward needs to be custom made. That is why I appreciate all the different aircraft parts your catalog provides. Without access to these parts, few would complete their airplane.

Thank you, Ken Johnson