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Cabin
Dual
Sticks
Upholstery
Kit
Engines:
Jabiru
3300
Continental
O-200
Corvair
Lycoming
Rotax
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| Photo Galleries |
| Zodiac
Home Design Kit Construction |
| LAST UPDATE: May 05, 2008
Subscribe to our mail list for the latest news and periodic updates. |
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Click Here for ZODIAC XL Online Builder Resources |
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May 2008: New Builder Completion Photos: 121 pages of just some of the hundreds of completed and flying Zodiac projects! |
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Zenith's "Spring into Summer" Fly-In Gathering: Saturday, June 21, 2008, at the Zenith Aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri. | |||
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Next hands-on factory workshop: | |||
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 March 2008 issue of Plane & Pilot magazine Zenith Zodiac XL Pilot Report : "The Zenith of LSAs: Zenith Aircraft of Mexico, Missouri build durable, all-metal, light-sport aircraft with an emphasis on fun," by Bill Cox, photos by James Lawrence, pages 66 - 68. "Flying the Zodiac 601 XL is more reminiscent of a normal-category machine than an LSA [light sport aircraft]. The semi-bubble canopy hinges at the front and opens to reveal a wide comfortable office. Elbow-to-elbow, the 601 XL measures 44-inches, so it's plenty big for two folks, actually as broad as a Cessna 206." |
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Aero-TV.net -
Friday, 29 February, 2008. Zodiac XL builder Mike Sigman Talks About
His Personal LSA Aero-TV talks to Mike Sigman, a builder, pilot and owner of a Zodiac 601XL about his personal choice for an LSA... how it went together during the building process, and now that he was finished -- how he liked it all. Mike explained how he was looking for a cross-country aircraft that was good on fuel, dependable and reasonably priced. He wanted to build 'all-metal,' but he did NOT want to buck rivets (the Zodiac uses the Avex 'pop' riveting system), and finally, he wanted a Jabiru engine for the front end... and thereupon decided upon the Zodiac. Click here to view the interview. |
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November 19, 2007: Measuring 6-feet 9-inches tall, Ron Steele (right) towers over Zenith demo pilot Roger Dubbert (six feet). Ron visited the Zenith Aircraft factory recently from Virginia to try-on the Zodiac for size and for a demo flight and factory tour. Though head room was limited, Ron and Roger were able to fit in the 44-inch wide cabin well enough for a demo flight. | |||
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Quality
Sport Planes of northern California held its Fall 2007 Open House
on Saturday, October 13. Michael Heintz of Quality Sport Planes
reports that the event was a great success with an excellent turnout
of both planes and people!
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October 2007: Roberto Brito of AirFox (near Sao Paulo, Brazil) hosted a three-day workshop for builders in Brazil (Oct.12 - 14, 2007) to gain hands-on experience in scratch-building their own Zodiac aircraft. | |||
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Zenith president Sebastien Heintz (right) made a surprise visit to the workshop in Brazil to meet with builders and to fly Roberto's beautifully built custom Zodiac XL.
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Zenith Aircraft
Company's 16th annual OPEN
HANGAR DAY and Fly-In Gathering held on Saturday, September 29, 2007, was a
great success with dozens of aircraft flown in and hundreds of active
participants!
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NEW DVD: Zodiac XL Quick-Build Kit Tips and Techniques: A video guide to help jump start construction of the popular Zodiac XL quick-build aircraft kit Get your Zodiac XL kit aircraft finished and in the air - now even faster! The instructional DVD from HomebuiltHelp.com explains and demonstrates many common construction tasks. If you're currently building, or thinking about starting a project, this is a highly recommended DVD. Click here for details about the Zodiac XL Quick-Build Kit |
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KITPLANES Magazine Builds a ZODIAC XL
Quick-Build Kit, Part 7, December 2007 issue: Writer Rick Lindstrom concludes the saga of building and flying his Zodiac XL kit plane in the final installment of this seven part series on building and flying his own Zodiac XL: "I purchased a kit from a well-respected and seasoned company that provides a superior level of support." |
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KITPLANES Magazine Builds a ZODIAC XL
Quick-Build Kit, Part 3, August 2007 Issue: Kitplanes magazine writer Rick Lindstrom continues the saga of building and flying his Zodiac XL kit plane in this third installment, as he reports in the August 2007 issue of Kitplanes magazine |
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KITPLANES Magazine Builds a ZODIAC XL
Quick-Build Kit, Part 2, July 2007 Issue: Writer Rick
Lindstrom reports on building and flying his dream airplane, as he
writes in the
July
2007 issue of Kitplanes magazine: "A Sign
of the Zodiac (Part 2)"
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KITPLANES Magazine
Builds a ZODIAC XL Quick-Build Kit, Part 1, June 2007 Issue: Writer Rick Lindstrom took tool in hand to create a dream machine, as he reports in the June 2007 issue of Kitplanes magazine: "A Sign of the Zodiac (Part 1)"
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June 2007: Load testing the ZODIAC
XL
airframe
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Recreational Flyer, the magazine of the Recreational Aircraft Assoc. of Canada, March - April 2007 issue, cover story: "Wings for the People: Chris Heintz' Superb Zodiac," by Gary Wolf, pages 22 - 29. "The Zenith Zodiac was introduced in 1984, and 25 years later is still selling strongly... a simple all-metal plane that provides good performance is perennially appealing to builders and pilots." | |||
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 Earl Downs seated in the Zodiac XL
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The May 2007 issue of EAA
Sport Pilot magazine features a story by Earl Downs on the
importance of a factory visit before buying an aircraft. Following a visit to
the Zenith Aircraft factory in Mexico,
Missouri, he states: "My overall impression of the plant was one of
efficiency, cleanliness, and competence. I also came away feeling I had
the skills needed to turn the work of these craftsmen into a finished
airplane, and that [my wife] Mimi and I would have fun while
building." Earl Downs concludes: "My visit to the factory was worth every bit of what it cost, and I accomplished my mission goals. A build project involves a long-term relationship with the factory, and the only way to be sure is to test it out." Downs subsequently ordered a Zodiac XL Quick Build Kit, which he picked up (at the factory) in early May. Aviation writer Earl Downs started flying more that 50 years ago and progressed to become an airline transport-rated pilot and served with the training department of a major airline for 23 years. He has logged thousands of hours flying and instructing in light airplanes and is a recognized aviation writer with EAA Sport Pilot and AOPA Flight Training magazines. In 2004 he co-wrote the popular book titled "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sport Flying" and is the current publisher and owner of The Oklahoma Aviator. Centrally located in the
United States, Zenith Aircraft Company is situated 90 miles west of St.
Louis. The Zenith factory is situated on the Mexico
Airport (MYJ), making it easy to fly-in to visit. The facility is
open Monday to Friday, and factory tours and demo flights are available
by appointment. Before making travel arrangements to visit the factory, please
make an appointment by calling 573-581-9000. Zenith Aircraft Company
also schedules factory workshops
throughout the year and holds an annual Open
Hangar Day fly-in. |
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| From Quality Sport Planes' Open House and Regional Fly-In (May 5, Cloverdale, Calif.): | ||||
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West coast representative Quality Sport Planes LLC held an Open House and Regional Fly-In held on Saturday, May 5, 2007 (Cloverdale, Calif.) |
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Builders and enthusiasts examine the high level of completion of a Zodiac XL Quick-Build Kit. Click here for more photos |
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| From the Sun'n Fun fly-in (April 17-23, Lakeland, Florida): | ||||
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Rick Lindstrom’s shiny new
Zodiac
XL drew a lot of attention at the Zenith booth during Sun'n Fun. This
is the aircraft that Rick built from a Quick Build
Kit and chronicled the construction in Kitplanes
magazine.
Lindstrom says his 601 cruises at 105 knots while burning under 6 gph. Follow the story of Lindstrom’s project beginning in the June issue of KITPLANES®. |
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Great
food and great company! |
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A new factory-produced ZODIAC
XL S-LSA for Sport Pilots.
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New European Zodiac In its April 2007 issue, French aviation magazine "Aviasport" reports on the new European Zodiac XL, writing that the airplane is a new "Heintz - Robin" collaboration. Aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, designer of the Zodiac, first worked at Avions Robin of France in the late sixties and early seventies as the lead engineer of the HR (Heintz-Robin) series general aviation light aircraft. In collaboration with Christophe Robin (son of the founder of Avions Robin, and the principal of light aircraft manufacturer Dyn'Aéro), Zenair has lightened the Zodiac XL specifically for the European market's light aircraft rules. Final assembly and finishing of the factory-built Zodiac XL in Europe is performed by Dyn'Aéro Iberica in Portugal, and distributed across Europe by established Zenair dealers. The ZODIAC XL kits, manufactured by Zenith Aircraft in the USA, are being distributed across Europe from Zenair Europe (Belgium/France). |
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March 2007: Nicholas Heintz test flies the new European ZODIAC XL, powered by the Rotax 912S engine. The new model, manufactured and supported directly by Zenair, introduces some new (and lighter) features for the European market. Details about the Zodiac XL ULM. | |||
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Zodiac in Action: Wingtip
cam - unusual attitude!
Video Clips from around the world on building and flying the Zodiac: |
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Zodiac Cover Story:
The Zodiac XL was recently featured on the cover of EAA Sport Pilot & Light-Sport Aircraft magazine (December 2006 issue).
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Zodiac XL featured in
great new book: GO! The Whole World of Transportation by DK Publishing. Available now for about $18 from Amazon.com |
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January 2007:
Picking up a new Quick Build Kit at the factory, and loading it on a flatbed trailer. |
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New Photos of the Quick Build Kit now supplied with pre-assembled wings. | |||
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With the help of Zenith's new 12' x 4' CNC router, the standard Zodiac kit now includes many precision CNC pre-cut and pre-drilled skins and components, and also includes new updated CAD Drawings and Photo Assembly Manuals.
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Great new views of the
ZODIAC XL assembly (3D CAD renderings).
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New photo galleries and details of the certified factory produced ZODIAC XL S-LSA from AMD | |||
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July 2006: New thinner fiberglass wheel fairings increase aerodynamics, and give the ZODIAC XL a sleeker look. |
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Zenair Press Release (July 28, 2006): Zenair Ltd. announced that it has terminated its longstanding license agreement with Czech Aircraft Works, under which the ZODIAC designs were produced in the Czech Republic for the European market. The aircraft will continue to be available in Europe through the established Zenair dealer network, with kits coming from Zenith Aircraft Company (Missouri, USA) and assembled aircraft from Zenair Ltd. (details) |
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EAA Sport Pilot
magazine: |
Train for your checkride
in the ZODIAC XL using FlightSim aircraft files, as reviewed in the June 2006 issue
of Sport Pilot magazine.
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May 2006: AMD's production light sport aircraft (S-LSA) Zodiac XLi expands "operating instructions" to include Night and IFR operations. Click here for details. | |||||
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Made in the USA:
Producing the ZODIAC XL factory-built S-LSA
aircraft powered by the Continental O-200 engine.
AMD (in Eastman, Georgia) |
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Click here to view a FlyCorvair.com video of the Corvair-powered ZODIAC XL. | |||||
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Sun'n Fun
2006: The 2nd
Annual "Webmasters BBQ" was a great success, hosted by the www.ch601.org
and www.ch701.com
webmasters.
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Popular
Mechanics magazine (April 2006 issue): "How I learned to
Fly in a Week" by Davin Coburn. The writer obtains his sport
pilot certificate in eight days in a Zodiac XL S-LSA trainer.
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February 20, 2006 - EAA's latest Sport Pilot Tour stop drew several hundred aviation enthusiasts to Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona, to learn more about opportunities in the growing sport pilot/light-sport aircraft community. | |||||
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from EAA
Hotline (December 16, 2005, Volume 5, Number 57): Special Airworthiness Certificate For S-LSA Zodiac CH 601 XL AMD has received a Special Airworthiness Certificate for the Zodiac CH 601 XL. AMD completed all of the documents, flight-testing and quality control requirements with assistance from Zenair Ltd, and the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA). The all-metal Zodiac features a Continental O-200, 100-hp engine and Sensenich propeller. The original model was designed in the early ‘80s, and reengineered in 2001 as the CH 601 XL. |
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AMD starts deliveries of the Zodiac XL S-LSA aircraft in December 2005. |
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Panel includes a Dynon EFIS (Electronic Flight Information System) and EMS (Engine Monitor System), autopilot, and Garmin stack. | |||||
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This
radio-controlled scale model of the ZODIAC XL is now available
directly
from Zenith Aircraft Co.
This is a 1:5 scale (60-inch) model that is sold as a firewall-back
"almost ready to fly" (ARF) kit.
Read the review from RC Universe Magazine and download videos:
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AMD Zodiac XL S-LSA test
aircraft with a Continental O-200 powerplant and Dynon EFIS (Electronic Flight Information System) and
Engine
Monitor System.
Notice the boom on the left wing for testing and calibrating airspeed figures for LSA certification.
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Continental O-200 engine
installation.
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July 2005: Zenith Aircraft introduces new Quick-Build Kit for the ZODIAC XL model |
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Zodiacs at Zenith's 14th annual Open Hangar Day |
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July 2005: X-Plane Zodiac XL flight simulator aircraft files now available from 2V2 Sim Aircraft Company |
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Sun'n Fun 2005: Flight Crafters Builder Assistance Center (of Tampa, Florida) sponsored a week-long workshop on building the ZODIAC kit. |
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Sun'n Fun 2005:
The FAA
approved the first factory-assembled CH 601 as an ELSA at the 2005 Sun'n
Fun Fly-In. Continental O-200 powered ZODIAC XL with a Dynon equipped EFIS (Electronic Flight Information System) and EMS (Engine Monitor System). |
| David Henry Wins EAA Land-A-Member Zodiac XL Kit | |
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January 12, 2005 (from EAA): David Henry, a 24-year EAA member from Perry, Oklahoma, is the lucky winner of a complete, ready-to-build Zodiac XL kitplane and Rotax 912S powerplant package through the 2004 EAA Land-A-Member contest. "Holy cow!" Henry exclaimed when EAA President Tom Poberezny called on Tuesday to deliver the good news. "I am tickled to death, thank you so much!" Just to verify his good fortune, Henry then asked, "You want to run that by me again?" Click here for more details from EAA. |
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David
Henry attended Zenith's factory workshop on to
gain hands-on building experience.
At left, Mr. Henry is shown drilling the rear skin of the rudder assembly. |
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Gleim
Publications now offers a Sport Pilot Kit designed to help
expedite training for the sport pilot certificate. They offer a
complete training program at an affordable price, with user-friendly
self-study materials that are carefully designed to make it easy to
learn and understand. |
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NEW Zodiac XL Video Clips |
The January 2005 issue of KITPLANES magazine profiles designer Chris Heintz in a cover story by Tim Kern (pages 12 - 19). "Zenith designer Chris Heintz has combined innovation and forthrightness to achieve success."
October 2004:
Designer Chris Heintz is profiled in the October 2004 issue of Kitplanes magazine: “The Top 20 – Meet the most influential figures who have shaped the homebuilt aviation industry” by Rick Lindstrom (pages 59 – 63):
“The Zenith philosophy helps customers all the way through flight testing, ensuring that the completed kit will meet expectations and fly safely as well. Zenith’s goal? Happy customers."
“You must use creativity and responsibility together to build airplanes,” Heintz says. “And considering the past 30 years, I have not wasted my life”
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Load testing the Zodiac XL airframe for LSA certification. |
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Corvair-powered
ZODIAC XL at EAA AirVenture (Oshkosh).
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Demo pilot Roger Dubbert and the ZODIAC XL at the Arlington NW EAA Fly-in: July 10, 2004, Arlington, Washington |
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ZODIAC XL at the EAA Membership tent at Sun'n Fun 2004, as part of EAA's Land-a-Member program. |
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KITPLANES
magazine, January 2004 issue. Cover story:
"Easy to Build, Fun to Fly: Which Zenith is Right For You?"
by Dave Higdon. Pages 8 - 15. Comparison of the ZODIAC XL and
the STOL CH 701 designs:
"The bottom line: Hands down, both airplanes easily fulfill
their respective missions. Best of all, they do so with flying
traits that should challenge few pilots of average competence."
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FlightSim aircraft files for the ZODIAC CH 601 series.
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Flying in New Zealand... landing on the beaches and flying over the glaciers... Click here for great new photos. |
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Viktor Strausak of Switzerland writes:
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| Builder Story: "Tim Garrett designs military fighter planes by day and is building his own airplane in the basement of his home by night, all while battling multiple sclerosis." | |
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July 2003:
Dual Control Sticks now available for the ZODIAC XL
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Tailwheel Gear Configuration for the ZODIAC XL
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New Builder
Completions / Photo Galleries
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ZODIAC XL school
project in Washington
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July 2003: Dave K., of Bright, Ontario, completed his Lycoming powered ZODIAC XL in "11 months and 11 days." He reports: |
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June 2003: Congratulations to Chip Erwin and his ZODIAC XL amphibian for winning the 2003 Piccola Schneider Cup seaplane race. Click here for details and pics. |
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Brian Clark, managing
editor of Kitplanes
magazine reports on attending Zenith’s factory
workshop in the July 2003 issue of Kitplanes magazine: He concludes
that it’s "…a worthwhile investment to attend a workshop
before making the larger decision of whether to build the kit." "Try Before you Buy" by Brian Clark, pages 54-57. Read the full story in the July 2003 issue of Kitplanes magazine. Details about about factory workshops. |
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July 2003: Click here for the latest photo gallery / builder photos. |
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March 2003:
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March 2003: "PLEIN VOL" magazine features the ZODIAC XL in a cover story (Quebec, April 2003 issue). |
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Sightseeing in Europe with the ZODIAC XL |
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New ZODIAC XL
builder completions.
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New photos of the
ZODIAC XL Amphibian
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| General
Aviation News magazine, August 5, 2002. "Pilot's
Report: Zenith Aircraft's Zodiac series" Cover story, pages 34 - 37.
Excerpt:
"Vigorous
performance:
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Patriotic ZODIAC XL powered by the Jabiru 3300 on amphibious floats. |
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Photos of Zenith Aircraft's demo ZODIAC XL powered by the Jabiru 3300 engine.
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- May 2002 issue of Kitplanes magazine: "Zodiac Stars: Two new Chris Heintz designs improve an already impressive lineup," by Howard Levy, pages 18 - 24, Kitplanes magazine.
The first European ZODIAC XL in an air-to-air photo-shoot with the STOL CH 801:
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Builder Updates: |
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July 2001: Jabiru 3300 engine installation in the
ZODIAC XL at Oshkosh AirVenture 2001.
Click here for more AirVenture photos. |
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July 2001: Photos of the Jabiru 3300
engine installation in Zenith Aircraft's factory demo ZODIAC XL.
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ZODIAC XL Kit Eligible for Airworthiness Certification.
April 6, 2001: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed evaluation of the ZODIAC XL kit and determined that the kit, as evaluated, met the intent of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 21, Section 21.191(g). The FAA notes that the evaluation should not be construed as meaning the kit is FAA CERTIFIED, CERTIFICATED, OR APPROVED.
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Photos of Zenith
Aircraft Company's new demo ZODIAC XL, powered by the 100-hp
Rotax 912S.
The ZODIAC XL's weight and performance will allow it to be operated under the new proposed FAA Sport Pilot category. |
December 2000: CustomPlanes magazine flies the ZODIAC XL. Click here to read the flight report.
"It runs fast, carries a decent load and offers a comfortable cabin. As you might expect from a designer who has several certificated airplanes to his credit, it flies with no surprises, just as it should."
Click here for "old" updates
Zenith Aircraft at Work and Play around the World... Click here for photos and stories
Zenith Aircraft
Company |
© Zenith Aircraft Company: 2008-05-05