The Frankenstein monster was not beautiful, but he was STRONG! (Insert Tim Allen animal grunt here...Ugh!...Ugh!) Project Frankenplane will be a
Zenith CH-801 aircraft. These planes are well known for their abilities to get in and out of very short fields. They can operate on just about any surface: cement, asphalt, grass, gravel. They can be equipped with skis for snow and floats for water. This is truly a plane that can go anywhere. The designer has recommended the Lycoming 360 engine, but there are 801’s currently flying with Walter
engines and Franklins. I am still not sure which engine I will use. There are currently 50 some(?) CH-801’s flying. Many of them are doing missionary work in the third world because of their ability to go into remote, undeveloped areas. The CH-801 can do what a helicopter does for much less money. It has the ability to carry 1000 pounds at 120 mph. It is a high-wing design with excellent visibility for performing search and rescue or any kind of observational chore. It can carry 4 people in comfort or 2 people with camping gear or luggage.
When I first saw this plane at Sun’n’Fun, Lakeland, I fell in love! I had to have one. The Zenith people are the same ones who used to build a CH-601 at Sun’n’Fun in a single week…from crate to flying!! I was very impressed by that. I think my project will take slightly longer.
