Steve Flies the Zenith CH-650 Kit Built Airplane 

I'm 5'8", Steve about 5'11" and we have another about 6'1". We all fit. A 6'4" tried and could do, but knees were high. If you are building yourself you can adjust pedals. You may be able to install adjustable pedals; ours are stock - fixed. Headroom there is enough for a 6"10" wearing a cowboy hat! We actually have a 2" to 3" cushion under the seat for Steve and myself to get us up higher.

@@scubajam appreciate the response. I'm 6'2" I really like this plane. Planning on heading to zenith for factory visit, rudder workshop and demo flight.

Rotax ULS 100 hp carb version. We looked at Viking, UL, Rotax, and Corvair. Rotax was most expense, and most reliable. This was 5 years ago. Viking and UL were both having issues. Today those have been solved and I would install Viking. The Rotax has been very reliable. I've flown from WA to OSH and back twice; across Cascades and Rockies.

The Warp Drive prop came with Rotax firewall forward package, which includes engine, prop, mount, and cowl. Since we have changed prop to Sensenich, which gave us extra 2-3 kts and much easier to adjust.

@@scubajam thank you so much for the information, I think I'll go for the same engine. And taking about the prop, what do you think about the WW? Similar to the WP or Sensenich?

@@aviacioncordoba I have no experience or information on WW. Sensenich has easy plug in setting for all 3 blades at one time and blade design is slightly scimitar shape. Warp drive is standard 100 yr old prop shape and each blade has to be set with level and angle. Seems easy, but actually difficult to get all 3 blades exactly the same. Then to change angle slightly is another major task. Sensenich just plug in a different angle pin on the hub and all 3 blades easy to set. It comes with 3 or 4 pins, each has 2 settings. Been a couple years since we last did it. We've been flying instead of wrenching, although we have made small adjustments and obviously on-going maintenance to the airframe; nothing to the engine except a couple springs on the exhaust system have broken. That is common on Rotax. We have all our maintenance done by a local shop that specializes in only experimental and light sport aircraft. They are Rotax and Dynon dealers and know their stuff. Now as the springs break they are replaced with after market stainless steel ones (2 springs in 3 years). The one item not good on the Rotax and it doesn't affect reliability. For example on the maintenance shop: experimental owner (not sure which model plane) came in complaining of leak in fuel system, gascolator. Aircore at KAWO took it apart and noted gasket was oversized. They went back to parts room for a new one and 15 min later when they returned old gasket was to original shape. Seems the alcohol in the fuel caused it to expand. Changed gasket to different material - no more issues. Not many shops would catch that; most would throw away gasket immediately. We burn mostly premium mogas w/o alcohol from Costco or Co-op, but our entire fuel system is alcohol resistant just in case. Obviously have to burn 100LL when away from home base. Rotax recommends changing oil twice as frequently if burning 100LL. 50 hrs vs 100 hrs, but really changing more frequently is best, like 25 and 40 to 50 hrs. Plane is now 375 hrs after 3.5 years. If I had to do now, I would go with Viking engine. They have worked out the bugs and 130 hp vs 100. We have a local pilot built Zenith CH-750 high wing with Viking and it has been good for him. But that is just one data point.

@@scubajam I really appreciate your help, and if have any doubt I'll ask you if you don't mind. Here in Argentina it's really difficult to find fuel w/o ethanol, and this causes a lot of problems (for example fuel destroyed fuel senders in the tank of a ch750). But I'll take notes of all these to be aware. Have a nice 2021!

Absolutely NO. You can buy plans directly from Zenith. They support plans built, but only if you buy plans from them. There are many, many pages and lots of detail. Still, it is an airplane and you have to figure some things out. The $$ for the plans are not just for the paper, but also for the support. You can buy many items that are difficult to scratch build, like canopy, landing gear, and lots of detail items. With the plans you get a serial number that says you are officially authorized to build the plane. With the plans you also get support so you can email or call them and they will answer questions. This is not a cheap plane, even plans built. You can also consider building a KR2S, which are all plans built and much less $$ but support is only by online forum. The engine and radios/instruments will cost much more than the basic plane.