This Guy Is Building Up Quite A Trophy Wall...

Chip Erwin oft feels the need... the need for speed. Last week, he felt the need a LOT. Erwin, flying a Zenair ZODIAC CH 601 XL on amphibious floats has won the Piccola Schneider Cup held on Lake Varese, Italy on the 16th and 17th of June.

For those who don't know, it is a seaplane race similar to the famous seaplane races starting about 75 years ago which lead to considerable advancements in aviation. One famous winner became the Spitfire, for instance.

Its A Whole New Race...

Today's race uses European Ultralight (UL) class aircraft. The limits are basically UL approval in some European country, and landing and taking off from the water. The UL float aircraft rules in Italy apply which means 65 kph stall speed and 500kg max gross weight.

Erwin raced the Zenair ZODIAC CH 601 XL with the Rotax 912S (100hp) and a new 2-blade carbon, in-flight adjustable, and reversing prop made by Woodcomp of the Czech Republic. And, of course, 1150 amphib floats made by Czech Aircraft Works. "I was the only aircraft with brakes and reverse on the water" Erwin said. "It is a very nice to be able to taxi up the boat ramp and back into a parking place."

The Zenair ZODIAC CH 601 XL has already received Czech certification of the 601XL as well as PFA approval in Great Britain. The aircraft is also expected to qualify as a Sportplane when the FAA announces the new rule -- and amphibious floats will be permitted as well.

Erwin crossed the Alps to and from Italy from the Czech Republic at altitudes up to 10,000 feet. "I have often said that getting to the race can be nearly as challenging as the race itself".  This is evidentially true as 5 competitors did fail to make it to the race even without a mountain range to cross.

The pilots start the race (2 at a time) from the water. The course is triangular, with pylons of colored helium balloons set at 50 feet high, at distances ranging from 1/2 to 1 mile apart. Five laps are raced, per heat. The time is then computed according to the Pazmany handicap formula. This allows higher wing-loading ultralight aircraft to compete with the sleeker Zenair aluminum or other composite aircraft.

A trophy is awarded for the winner in both "compensated" time, and the fastest aircraft in real time. The Zenair ZODIAC CH 601 XL aircraft won in both classes.

FMI: www.airplane.cz