Zenair CH 640

The CH 640 was developed from the two-seat type certified AMD Alarus, also called the Zenair CH 2000, by increasing the span of the wings and stabilator, to accommodate the larger engine and increase in gross weight. The design was also influenced by the Zenith CH 601 and the Zenair CH 300. The design goals were to produce a simple four-seat aircraft capable of flying cross country flights with full seats.

The CH 640 is a four-seat, low-wing touring aircraft with tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration. It has a standard empty weight of {{convert|1147|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, a gross weight of {{convert|2200|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and an acceptable engine power range of {{convert|150|to|240|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. The recommended engine is the Lycoming O-360 of {{convert|180|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}.

The aircraft is made from 6061-T6 aluminum. Its {{convert|31.5|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} span wing is a cantilever structure and is equipped with flaps. The {{convert|46|in|cm|1|abbr=on}} wide cabin is accessed via two gull-winged doors. The construction time from the factory-supplied standard kit is estimated at 1250 hours to complete and the quick-build kit at 750 hours. In 2011 the kit cost US$28,995, while finishing a completed aircraft was estimated to cost between US$45,000 to $99,000, depending on options, engine and avionics installed. In December 2011 there were 50 completed and flying.

In evaluating the CH 640 AeroNews Network said, "It's a tremendously stable little airplane and a fair amount faster than what you might think."

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Kitplanes{{Cite web|url = http://www.kit-plane.com/specifications.html|title = Zodiac CH 640 Specifications|access-date = 13 December 2011|last = Zenair|date = n.d.|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111214230540/http://www.kit-plane.com/specifications.html|archive-date = 14 December 2011}}

|prime units?=imp

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|crew=one

|capacity=three passengers

|length m=

|length ft=23

|length in=0

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|span m=

|span ft=31

|span in=6

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|height ft=7

|height in=4

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|wing area sqft=150

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|airfoil=

|empty weight kg=

|empty weight lb=1147

|empty weight note=

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|gross weight lb=2200

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|fuel capacity=standard tanks: {{convert|38|u.s.gal}}, optional tanks: {{convert|46|u.s.gal}}

|more general=

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Lycoming O-360

|eng1 type=four cylinder, horizontally opposed, four-stroke piston engine

|eng1 kw=

|eng1 hp=180

|prop blade number=2

|prop name=metal propeller

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|max speed kmh=

|max speed mph=160

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|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed mph=150

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|stall speed kmh=

|stall speed mph=47

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|stall speed note=flaps down

|never exceed speed kmh=

|never exceed speed mph=175

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|range km=

|range miles=510

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|g limits=+5.7/-2.9

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|climb rate ftmin=950

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|wing loading kg/m2=

|wing loading lb/sqft=14.6

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}}

{{aircontent

|see also=

|related=

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|lists=

}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Zenair CH-640}}

• {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20111202041535/http://www.kit-plane.com/index640.html}}

{{Zenair}}

Category:Homebuilt aircraft

Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft

Category:Low-wing aircraft

Category:Zenair aircraft