A comment by one sports pilot journalist graphically summed up the short take-off and landing capabilities of the Zenair CH701 STOL light utility aircraft: "I've seen aircraft that could be flown through a hangar, but I think a really good pilot could fly a CH701 into a hangar, do a 180¡ and fly back out again."
But the take-off distance required by Zenair pilot Christophe Bricard at the show was significantly longer - he and colleagues had to physically manhandle the aircraft from the static display, weaving in a circuitous route among exhibition visitors, prior to taking to the air in the flying display.
If he'd been able to clear a 25-35m (80-100ft) space in the crowd, he could have really proved the remarkable STOL capability in front of their eyes.
Source: Flight Daily News
