AMD Zodiac

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AMD Zodiac
Type	light-sport aircraft
Manufacturer	Aircraft Manufacturing and Development
Designed by	Chris Heintz
Introduced	2005
Retired	N/A
Status	in service
Primary users	recreational pilots/sport pilots private pilots
Produced	Eastman, Georgia
Unit cost	$79,900-94,900

The AMD Zodiac is a two-seat, fixed tricycle gear general aviation airplane. It is a light-sport aircraft, making it slightly larger than an ultralight aircraft, but smaller than some general aviation aircraft, such as the Cessna 172, or its sister aircraft, the Alarus. It is around the size of a Cessna 150. The Zodiac techincally does not have a door; instead, the windshield moves up and forward, allowing passengers to exit (see [1]). There is one large window, rather than several smaller ones.

1 History
2 Variants
3 Aircraft markings
4 Operators
5 Specifications
6 External links

[edit] History

The original Zodiac airplane was designed in the mid-eighties, by Chris Heintz. It was a kit plane, meaning that consumers would purchase the plane in pieces, and then assemble it themselves. It has since been manufacturered in Canada, Europe, and South America as ready-to-fly. Ironically enough, Heintz drafted the regulations for light-sport aircraft in Canada around the time he designed the Zodiac. For that reason, he took a large part in drafting the current light-sport aircraft rules for the U.S. Today, however, the Zodiac is only available as factory finished.

[edit] Variants

Currently there are two models available for the zodiac, the XL, and the XLi. The difference between the two is that the XLi is IFR equipped through night and low visibility conditions, while the XL is only equipped for VFR flying.

[edit] Aircraft markings

The Zodiac is available in many different colors as purchasers are often able to choose their own paint and graphics. Both aircraft models, however, generally have the same size and equipment, with the cockpit controls being the exception.

[edit] Operators

The Zodiac is usually used by pilots who have a sport or recreational pilot certificate. Its size makes it ideal for use as such, additionally, there is no medical certificate required to fly the zodiac. The unique features and low operating costs on the zodiac allows operators to save money. A major drawback, however, is that it is not the size of other general aviation aircraft such as the Cessna 172 or 182, therefore, it is unlikely to be an ideal aircraft for operations such as cross-country trips or extended travel.