Flight simulator files for Zenith’s STOL CH 750 light sport utility airplane design are now available for the X-Plane program. “Ironically, this is the exact same airplane that we modeled for X-Plane that was flipped over (in the tornado) at Sun ’n Fun— it’s now the only way to fly this airplane,” says Zenith’s Sebastien Heintz.
X-Plane is a leader in flight simulation software, using “virtual wind tunnel physics” to realistically simulate the real physics of flight, and is often used by light aircraft designers to “flight test” their new creations, according to company officials.
The STOL CH 750 is an all-metal high-wing two-seat kit aircraft designed by Chris Heintz and manufactured by Zenith Aircraft Co. in Mexico, Missouri. It is available as either a kit-build project or as blueprints for plans-builders, and meets the definition of a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) making it eligible for operation by Sport Pilots. The basic aircraft is powered by a 100-hp Continental O-200 engine (although other engine options exist, up to 140 hp).
The design is optimized for short takeoff and landings, and comes equipped with high-lift devices (full-span leading edge wing slats and full-span trailing edge flaperons) for optimized slow flight capability and further comes with a rugged gear system designed for off-airport use (yet easy to operate as tricycle gear configuration).
The current X-Plane files for the STOL CH 750 are the first edition (version 1.0). Planned additional features will include new virtual engine “installations” for the CH 750 to reflect real life engine choices, including the ULPower, Jabiru and Rotax 912S engines, so that builders can test fly their airframe with the different powerplant choices installed.
The STOL CH 750 X-Plane project is a creation of Olivier Faivre and HydroZ in collaboration with Zenith Aircraft Company, the manufacturer of the STOL CH 750 kit aircraft.
The X-Plane program files for the STOL CH 750 are available for free download from the Zenith Aircraft Company website: The X-Plane software (version 9.60+) is required.
