Manufacturer Sees Ideal Fit With Flight Schools

Aircraft Manufacturing & Development Co (AMD) of Eastman, GA has completed all flight tests for the Zenair Zodiac CH 601 XL with Continental 0-200 engine for Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) requirements.

If certified, the Zodiac would join the Alarus as AMD's second FAA type-certified aircraft. The Alarus is IFR-approved in both the Utility and Normal categories, is spin certified and was granted an STC for airbag seat belts (a first for general aviation aircraft).

AMD tells Aero-News the Zodiac is ideally suited for the LSA category, and specifically for flight training. It is all-metal, similar to a Piper or Cessna aircraft, and uses the very popular Continental 0-200 (100 HP) engine, same as the C-150 -- while utilizing 50 percent fewer parts than the venerable flight school staple.

"The airframe is modern and flashy but at the same time easy to maintain,” states AMD Sales Manager John Degonia.

The CH 601 XL, originally designed in the early 1980s by Chris Heintz, was re-engineered for LSA compliance in 2001. More than 500 are flying around the world, according to the manufacturer.

FMI: www.newplane.com