Good STOL plane

This is a forum to ask questions regarding the different models of Vans Aircraft. If you are having problems deciding which one to build, this is the place to go.

What's a good STOL plane for my next build?

RANS S6 Coyote
1
10%
Kitfox Super Sport
7
70%
Zenith CH-701
2
20%
 
Total votes: 10

User avatar
svanarts
Air Marshall
Posts: 1512
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 5:19 pm
Location: Modesto, CA
Contact:

Good STOL plane

Post by svanarts »

Okay, I decided to start a new thread on this one. Scripture says that a wise man seeks a multitude of counsel. Well I'm here to solicit counsel from the biggest bunch of wise guys I know. What I am mainly looking for is a STOL plane that can be built in a reasonable amount of time.

The three front runners so far are:
RANS S6ES Coyote II http://www.rans.com/3S6ES.htm
Kitfox Super Sport http://www.kitfoxaircraft.com/Aircraft%20Kits.htm
Zenith CH-701 http://www.zenithair.com/stolch701/index1.html
(a very distant third due to long build time)

What's your vote? Any other good bush/stol planes out there? The Bearhawk is nice but a little beyond my patience range. :)
Scott VanArtsdalen
Token Heretic
Nirvana Rodeo / Dudek Universal
S-6ES N612SV - GONE but not forgotten
RV-4 N311SV - SOLD

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

I voted Kitfox...BUT you CAN'T beat a Zenith 701 for STOL purposes. It's just so freakin' UGLY! That Kitfox though...man my heart beats for one-a-doz! :luv:
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
RV7Factory
Beanpolt
Posts: 522
Joined: Fri May 20, 2005 2:28 pm
Location: Livermore, CA

Post by RV7Factory »

I voted Kitfox too. I prefer the Rans S7 over the 6 but it wasn't listed.

Ditto what Chad said about the 701.
Brad Oliver
RV-7 | Livermore, CA
RV7Factory.com
Image

TomC
Class E
Posts: 150
Joined: Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:23 pm

Post by TomC »

I've always thought these looked cool.

http://www.slepcevstorch.com/

Good Luck,

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

The video on that Storch is pretty impressive! Took some big one's to aim a takeoff right at a tree!! :o
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
BrickPilot
Class E
Posts: 73
Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:41 am
Location: Lehi, UT

Post by BrickPilot »

Wow, I love how he landed width-wise on the grass strip. :)
Jeff Klug
Bearhawk #1053 (QB #91)
Shop cam!

1:1_Scale
Class D
Posts: 279
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:23 am
Location: Central Oregon

Post by 1:1_Scale »

The Storch is getting my vote too, I think there are several different kits/sizes out there, too :)
Kelly
RV-7 Empennage done, wings done, fuselage to QB stage
1947 Stinson108-1 flying

User avatar
papakeith
Class D
Posts: 430
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:15 pm
Location: Rhode Island
Contact:

Re: Good STOL plane

Post by papakeith »

svanarts wrote: The Bearhawk is nice but a little beyond my patience range. :)
Avipro can take care of the patience problem :)

that storch takeoff is sick!
-------
RB's #1 heretic
www.bearhawk949.com

User avatar
svanarts
Air Marshall
Posts: 1512
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 5:19 pm
Location: Modesto, CA
Contact:

Post by svanarts »

PK: And then there's the money problem. :)

I should have said, another must is side by side seating. Momma don't want to sit in the back no more. Plus it will give me a place to set my lunchbox. It's going to take forever to get anywhere. :)

I'll take another look at the Kitfox. Why does everyone like that one so much?

I've asked around about the CH-701. It will take about as long to build as the RV-4 did so forget it. It's off the list. But you can still vote for it. :)
Scott VanArtsdalen
Token Heretic
Nirvana Rodeo / Dudek Universal
S-6ES N612SV - GONE but not forgotten
RV-4 N311SV - SOLD

User avatar
papakeith
Class D
Posts: 430
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:15 pm
Location: Rhode Island
Contact:

Post by papakeith »

Yeah, that money thing is what kept me from going Avipro.

How about the Avid Flyer? or maybe just finding an Aeronca project?
-------
RB's #1 heretic
www.bearhawk949.com

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

svanarts wrote:I'll take another look at the Kitfox. Why does everyone like that one so much?
Never flown one, but looks (taildragger...:wink:), light, they say flies great, looks, easy to build, oh, and looks. 8)
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

The Kitfox is a P.O.S.!

Honestly! Really!!!

It is a sketchy little, blow away in the wind, snowmobile engined kite!

Gimme a break!

What exactly are you going to accomplish with a contraption like that!?!

It has no mission except to look at your roof!

It ain't a real plane and isn't an ultralight. It isn't fish nor foul. It is the worst of both worlds!

...other than that, it is good!

:lol: CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Post by cjensen »

I'm not sure I'm getting what you're saying CJ... :wink: :lol:
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

Hey!

I DID say that other than that they are good!

:wink: CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
aparchment
Class C
Posts: 522
Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2005 9:43 pm

LOL

Post by aparchment »

John you are hysterical. I looked at this thread and thought to myself -- I couldn't give a rodent's ass about STOL planes (or taildraggers for that matter :o ). If it don't have speed, cross country capability, a honkin' dinosaur burner on the NOSE, the capability to haul my scuba tanks to the Caribbean and land on paved runways I simply don't care about it. I decided not to say that because I didn't want to offend anyone. Then you took all of that pressure off! Thanks man!

Just funnin' with ya Steve -- sort of. This recent move away from the RV by all of you guys is a disturbing trend. Snap out of it! It's an awesome airplane and we are going to love them when they are done.

John, we need to stage an intervention. I will round up some more Appleton Gold, we will kidnap these guys and show them our version of waterboarding.

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

Antony, now you are talking!

I just say what everyone else is thinking!

:wink: CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

1:1_Scale
Class D
Posts: 279
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:23 am
Location: Central Oregon

Post by 1:1_Scale »

How would a -7 look with tundra tires on it? :wink:
Kelly
RV-7 Empennage done, wings done, fuselage to QB stage
1947 Stinson108-1 flying

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

Kel, we just may find out in a few years!

:wink: CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
cjensen
Whiskey Victor
Posts: 5275
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:36 pm
Location: Green Bay, WI

Re: LOL

Post by cjensen »

aparchment wrote:This recent move away from the RV by all of you guys is a disturbing trend. Snap out of it! It's an awesome airplane and we are going to love them when they are done.

John, we need to stage an intervention. I will round up some more Appleton Gold, we will kidnap these guys and show them our version of waterboarding.
:lol: I think the only one thinking of getting out of RV's here is the author...Scott. We're just voicing what other airplanes we are interested in, if the sale of the kit had to happen. I'm most definitely pro-RV, but there are a LOT of really cool airplanes out there OTHER than RV's. :wink:

I wouldn't worry about an actual trend bud! :mrgreen:
Chad Jensen
Missing my RV-7...
Vertical Power support
920.216.3699
http://verticalpower.com

tmbg
Class C
Posts: 613
Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2007 11:05 am
Location: Atlanta, GA (4A7)

Post by tmbg »

I think Dan and I have decided on building a supercub, and we decided we're gonna get our hands on a data plate and 'restore' the whole airplane around it :D
Ian
RV-7 SB, chugging toward final assembly
IO-360-C1C 200hp obtained.
Hartzell BA prop received.
James Cowl ordered.
N773WW reserved!

Post Reply