Zenith Aircraft Company
Updated 01/27/2010
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FAA Issues Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-10-08 (Nov. 7, 2009): Zodiac CH601 XL Further to the issuance of the FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB): CE-10-08, Zenith Aircraft Company advises all owners of Zodiac CH 601 XL and CH 650 aircraft to follow the recommendations contained in the SAIB. EAA reports that "the FAA's investigation, done in cooperation with the aircraft manufacturer, uncovered areas of concern... As a result, the FAA is strongly recommending that owners and operators of Zodiac CH601XL and CH650 aircraft comply with actions outlined in a forthcoming safety directive/alert to address those concerns. The FAA is urging that the aircraft not be flown until the maintenance is completed." AMD, manufacturer of the Zodiac CH 601 XL S-LSA (factory-built aircraft), has issued a Safety Alert / Safety Directive (November 7, 2009) which outlines procedures required to resume normal operations (prior to the July 7, 2009 Letter from Chris Heintz limitations), including upgrades detailed on Drawings 6-ZU-1, 6-ZU-2, 6-ZU-3 and 6-ZU-4, and LAA Aileron Balance (these latest revised drawings are dated January 25, 2010). The FAA SAIB document recommends that all owners comply to the AMD Safety Alert / Safety Directive before further flight. We have drafted the following Questions and Answers with Chris Heintz document to help builders and owners understand these upgrades, which were recently structurally tested and independently verified (Document396). An Upgrade Package is being made available to all builders and owners of kit versions of the aircraft, and includes detailed drawings and step-by-step installation instructions.
Zenith Aircraft Company has completed the installation of the Upgrade Package in the factory demonstrator Zodiac CH 601 XL. Click here to follow the progression, including the latest flying videos. We have verified the drawings and documenting the process for the builder manuals as we have been installing the Upgrade Package, and making sure that all parts fit properly, and that there is access to install them... and we've made updates in the process. We are producing the parts for the Upgrade Package kit, and are shipping them to builders.
Additional Information:
We are committed to working with all builders and owners so that they may resume building and operating their aircraft by incorporating the updates at minimal cost and inconvenience. We ask for the full cooperation of all builders, owners and pilots with this important information, and we thank them for their continued support through this difficult time. Zenith Aircraft Co. |
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Re: NTSB Issues Safety Recommendation to FAA
July 27, 2009: Zodiac Updates letter
July 7, 2009: Letter from Chris Heintz: Recommendations for inspections and operating limitations
Flutter analysis report from Germany: CH 650 and ZODIAC XL
May 7, 2009: EAA Helps Zodiac 601XL Builder Get Airworthiness Inspection
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April 22, 2009
Zenair met with FAA officials on April 22, 2009. The meeting was productive, with FAA officials confirming that they have no plans to ground the fleet of Zodiac CH-601XL aircraft.
In response to the NTSB Safety Recommendation letter (dated April 14, 2009), the FAA officials stated that they will commence their own thorough review of the Zodiac design, and has given this review high priority. Zenair will cooperate fully in assisting the FAA.
Zenair also continues with the ongoing design analysis of the Zodiac CH-601XL, including wing flutter analysis. The independent consulting team from Germany has released preliminary findings. These preliminary findings confirm that the aircraft, with properly tensioned control cables, is not prone to flutter. The team is continuing its analysis, including the recommendations set forth in the NTSB's letter, such as mass balanced ailerons.
Zenair wants to remind builders, owners and pilots to verify that all control surfaces are properly fastened and secured, and free of play, and that control stops are present and properly installed, and that the control systems are not loose. Pilots are reminded to operate the aircraft within its design limitations.
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April 20, 2009
Since the NTSB Safety Recommendation to the FAA on April 14, we have been receiving many calls and messages from concerned Zodiac builders, owners, and pilots, inquiring about the Zenair response to the NTSB's Safety Recommendation.
Zenair has made this a top priority and is spending significant resources on this matter. Zenair has retained independent consultants to analyze the design of the Zodiac 601XL and 650.
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NTSB Safety Recommendation to FAA: http://www.ntsb.gov/recs/letters/2009/A09_30_37.pdf
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2010-01-27
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Zenith Aircraft
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