Country of origin:

Canada

Description:

Two-seat light sport monoplane

Power Plant:

One 48 kw (65 hp) converted Volkswagen four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine

Specifications:

History:

The Zenith Aircraft Company was formed in 1992 in Mexico, Missouri to design, develop and build small light kit aircraft for the amateur constructor. It set up a production facility at the Mexico Memorial Airport.  It obtained the rights to manufacture and market Zenair kit aircraft from the designer, Christopher Heintz, and produced many kits, having hands-on workshops at its factory for potential builders, and an Open Hangar Day on occasions for builders to attend.  Chris Heintz is an aeronautical engineer who graduated in Switzerland and worked for Aerospatiale on the Concorde, later working with Avions Robin in France where he was involved in the design of a number of aircraft.

In 1973 Heintz moved to North America and worked for de Havilland in Toronto, Canada on the de Havilland DHC-7. He formed his own company in 1974, initial kits being known at the Heintz Zenith.  In 1992 Zenith Aircraft Company obtained manufacturing and marketing rights for his designs and since then he has developed more than 12 aircraft designs. These have been supplied to amateur builders around the world in 48 different countries.

Construction of the CH-60, from which the CH-600 series was derived, began in December 1983, and the construction of the prototype commenced in January 1984, the first flight being made in June of that year.

Designed for construction by first-time amateur builders, and for the less experienced pilot, the Zodiac proved reasonably popular, with a number being built around the world.  Designed with a strength factor of + 6G and –6G, the Zodiac had accommodation for two seated side-by-side in a roomy cockpit. Power was provided by the four-cylinder Volkswagen conversion.  A full glazed canopy was fitted, and there was space behind the seats for luggage.  An electric starter was usually fitted to the engine, and a choice of tricycle or tailwheel undercarriage was available.  Plans and kit components were available, with 45% being pre-manufactured and supplied in kit form.  Fuel capacity was 60 litres (13.3 Imp gals).

Continued development of the series led to the Zodiac CH-601 XL, HD, UL and HDS Models of similar appearance to the 600 series, offering better performance and capabilities.  More engine types became available and those included the Jabiru 3300, Continental O-200, Chevrolet Corvair conversion, and units from Lycoming and Rotax.  Other models available included the XL or the XL-S-SLA, the latter being a factory assembled model with a Continental O-200 engine and a Dynon glass panel.  The XL had a new aerofoil, a larger wing area, and a fuel capacity of 91 litres (20 Imp gals).

First of the Model 600 series in this region was ZK-ZZT (c/n AACA-956) fitted with a 67 kw (90 hp) Continental four-cylinder engine, but this crashed at Urenui, NZ on 4 February 1990.  Others have been completed, including ZK-ZNZ.  As the range of engines available to kit builders increased in later years, a variety of engines has been installed, including the 48 kw (64 hp) Rotax 532, 48 kw (65 hp) to 75 kw (100 hp) Continentals, a number of Volkswagen conversions, and the 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912. A number of examples of the CH-600 series has been registered with the RAA in Australia.