Aircraft Manufacturing & Development Co (AMD) of Eastman, GA, has received their first Special Airworthiness Certificate for the Zodiac CH 601 XL with Continental 0-200.

With assistance from Chris Heintz of Zenair Ltd, AMD has been able to complete all documents, flight testing and quality control requirements.

Airframes are manufactured by Zenair in Canada and finished at AMD in GA. Both factories are certified for FAR23 production aircraft. A similar quality control system is being used for the 601, significantly exceeding LSA requirements.

AMD also manufactures the Alarus FAA type certified aircraft. This aircraft is IFR certified Utility-Normal, spin certified and was granted an STC for airbag seat belts (a first for general aviation aircraft). AMD is now offering the Zodiac as a factory built aircraft, same as the Alarus.

The Zodiac is well suited for the LSA category. 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 Cessna-150. 

In partnership with Teledyne Continental Motors, Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing and other large general aviation manufacturers, the CH 601 XL  SLSA is equipped with high quality components and systems. “unlike other SLSA manufactures who typically are all using the Rotax engines, the CH 601 XL SLSA is the only one that has a metal airframe and classic engine and propeller. The airframe is modern and flashy but at the same time easy to maintain” states John Degonia, AMD’s sales manager.

Chris Heintz, designer and owner of Zenair Ltd. (manufacturing aircraft since 1974 designed the aircraft years ago. The original Zodiac was designed in the early 80’s and re-engineered in 2001 as the CH 601 XL, and now meets LSA compliance. The aircraft is well proven and has an excellent track record. More than 500 are flying around the world.

FMI: www.newplane.com, www.zenithair.com/zen1.htm#HEINTZ