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The Zenith Zodiac CH-601 XL is a high-performance single-engine,
two-seat, low-wing, all metal microlight airplane with a fixed tricycle
undercarriage with steerable nosewheel. The CH-601 was developed in the early
1990s by Chris Heintz, founder and chief designer of Zenair. The Zodiac
CH 601 HD (heavy-duty model) is the basic Zodiac model, based on the
original CH 600 aircraft developed in 1984 as a primary trainer. The Zodiac
CH 601 XL has a new airfoil and larger wing area than its predecessor. In
1992, Heintz licensed the kit manufacturing and marketing rights to
Zenith Aircraft Company for the Zodiac CH 601 and the STOL CH 701
designs. In 1992, Heintz also entered into a license
agreement with Czech Aircraft Works of Stare Mesto, Czech Republic, to
produce and market his Zodiac CH 601 and STOL CH 701 designs for the
European market. The Czech-produced Zodiacs were modified and lightened
to meet European rules for microlight aircraft. CZAW produced some 750
such machines under this agreement. On 31 December 2006, after the
license agreement, under which the Zenair Zodiac CH 601 and STOL CH 701
light aircraft designs were produced by CZAW, was terminated the Czech
production came to an end. The Zenair CH-601 is nowadays manufactured in
kit form by Zenith Aircraft Company, Mexico, Missouri in the USA and as
factory-produced Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) by Aircraft Manufacturing
and Development Co. in Georgia, USA. In kit form, the aircraft is
deliverable as a Basic kit and as an Quickbuild kit. The Basic kit, or
49% Zodiac airframe kit requires about one year (or about 450 hours) to
build the aircraft, the quikbuild kit just 120 hours. Zenith's Zodiac XL
factory demonstrator is powered by a six cylinder 110 HP Jabiru 3300
engine. The 116 HP Lycoming O-235, the 100 HP Continental O-200, the 100
HP Rotax 912S and the 110 HP Corvair engines have also been installed
and successfully flown. Already over 3000 CH-601 airframes are sold all
around the world. |
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