Zenair CH-300 Tri-Z

  • Period: 1970-1979
  • Uses: General Aviation
  • First Flight: 1977
  • Display Status: In Reserve Hangar.

The Zenair Company was established in Canada in the early 1970s to design and manufacture light airplane kits for the home builder. Zenair provided either parts-only kits or kits with some components partially constructed. The company has developed eight light airplane designs. The Models CH-200 and CH-300 won many awards for efficiency and quality during the late 1970s. The CH-300 buyer had a choice of three different engines, as well as a tricycle or tail-wheel configuration.

The Museum specimen was built for Robin (Red) Morris' record breaking, non-stop trans-Canada flight in 1978. The CH-300 was well equipped for the flight, with blind flying instruments, an autopilot and its fuel capacity increased from 127 litres (28 imp. gal.) to 773 litres (170 imp. gal.). A special seat was also installed for comfort. The trans-Canada flight was flown from west to east to take advantage of prevailing winds, which meant that the flight over the Rockies in the west would have to be tackled when the CH-300 weighed its heaviest. Despite strong headwinds near the Manitoba-Ontario border and the loss of the electrical generator, the 4 500-km (2 800-mile) flight was completed in the time of 22 hours, 43 minutes and 43 seconds.

Museum Example

  • Registration #: C-GOVK
  • Manufacturer: Zenair Ltd., Canada
  • Manufacture Date: 1978
  • Construction #: 300
  • Aquisition Date: 1984
  • Provenance: Purchase

After the record flight, the overload fuel tanks were removed and the aircraft was flown privately. It was bought by the Museum in 1984 and the overload fuel tanks were reinstalled.

Specifications

Wing Span:
8.1 m (26 ft 6 in)
Length:
6.9 m (22 ft 6 in)
Height:
2.1 m (6 ft 10 in)
Weight, Empty:
517 kg (1,140 lb)
Weight, Gross:
839 kg (1,850 lb)
Cruising Speed:
246 km/h (153 mph)
Max Speed:
274 km/h (170 mph)
Rate of Climb:
427 m (1,400 ft) /min
Service Ceiling:
3,048 m (10,000 ft)
Range:
640 km (400 mi)
Power Plant:
one Lycoming 0-360-AFZ, 180 hp, horizontally-opposed engine