Zodiac XL
The Zodiac CH601XL from Zenith Air is an aerodynamically controlled ultralight aircraft that is available both as a kit and as a finished aircraft.
The XL is an all-metal low-wing aircraft for two people, whose concept, simple construction combined with standard materials, developed by C. Heintz, leads to very good flight characteristics.
The Zodiac XL is available with different motors (Rotax, Lycoming). The kit is very popular because it can be completed without expensive special tools due to the metal construction. In Germany, Austria or Switzerland, self-made Zodiac XL are often approved in the Experimental Class, as higher payloads are achieved here. The Zodiac XL is a further development of the Zodiac CH601 series, which has been built since 1984. The XL has a newer wing geometry than the predecessors HD and HDS.
Since August 2008, Zenith Air has been selling the upgraded version CH650 with an enlarged cockpit canopy and modified vertical stabilizer.
In December, the DAeC imposed restrictions on the Zodiac XL after an XL crashed in Holland. The airworthiness directive thus lifted a flight ban that had been in place since September 2008.
Technical specifications
| Parameter (Rotax 912S) | Data |
|---|---|
| Year of construction (s) | since 2001 |
| Manufacturer | Zenith Air as a kit or as a finished aircraft |
| span | 8.23 m |
| length | 6.10 m |
| height | 1.98 m |
| Wing area | 12.30 m² |
| Empty mass | 312 kg (Rotax 912) |
| Max. Takeoff mass | 595.0 kg |
| crew | 1 + 1 |
| min. Speed Vso | 70 km / h |
| Cruising speed | approx. 200 km / h |
| Top speed Vne | 290 km / h |
| Tank capacity | 92 l |
| engine | 912 , 914, Jabiru 2200 and Jabiru 3300 , Lycoming IO-235 and Continental O-200 (100 HP) |
| power | 80 - 120 hp |