Zenith recently shipped its 45th kit for a STOL CH 750 to China.
Once they arrive in China, AGRHA Corporation, which operates kit assembly facilities in Nantong, Jiuangsu, Chongqing, Mianyang, Sichuan, Shenyang, Liaoning and Beijing, assembles the Zenith kits on a production line. They are then test flown and tweaked before delivery, company officials note.
Plans are to send them to flight schools around the country.
The Chinese are enamored with the STOL CH 750 for its flight characteristics, its tricycle gear, and the fact that it can be landed in an open field or on a dirt road, Zenith officials report.
Many flight training operations are taking place in areas where there are no airports. Occasionally, a bulldozer is used to clear a strip that is uneven and left covered with rocks or dirt. What might prove damaging to certificated aircraft is not an issue for a Zenith, which is designed for utility applications and is well-suited for “off airport” operations, officials said.
“They haven’t yet produced a lot of Part 23 Aircraft in China, but they have responded very quickly to working with complete kits,” said Zenith President Sebastien Heintz. “The key here is a tricycle gear that’s rugged and reliable. The slow landing speeds and excellent visibility make the 750 an ideal machine for flight training. We’re also quite pleased to be doing our part for the balance of trade. This is strictly an export operation.”
The Chinese have posted a short video on YouTube that shows the facility being used in Nantong. The factory uses a highway for takeoffs and landings.
For more information: ZenithAir.com
The rumors of fines were brought on by competitors to zenith with government ties. The fact that we flew without any accidents over there for as long as we have makes us a wonderful target. But proves the aircraft is well manufactured and safe. The factory is building by far the best built safest aircraft in china. The Chinese government is working closely with the company to develop a training program that will be unparalleled in safety.
Yes there are schools in the USA that train Chinese pilots to be airline pilots. But with runway lengths as short as they are because of the shortage of land in china, training that is type specific to short take off and landing and a whole different box of tools are required there. Not to say that it would be impossible for a 172 driver to hop in a zenith 750 and be ok, but with general aviation airports built 100 yards long it just takes a different set of skills is all.
One of the factories mentioned was recently fined by CAAC for flying without permission, flying without a valid Chinese pilot license, landing on highway and producing aircraft without CAAC certification. It’s all over the news in China. While I strongly believe CAAC and military need to loosen up, it’s also important to manufacture, use and fly aircraft with CAAC certification or rules, no?
There is a Company at Castle Air Park(old Castle AFB) that has been training Chinese for over 10 years. Why not check into them?