Zenith Zodiac CH 601

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The Zenith Zodiac CH 601 is a light, two place aircraft designed by Canadian aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz through his Midland, Ontario based company, Zenair. The CH 601 was introduced in 1984.

Although the CH 601 is currently manufactured as a complete aircraft by Aircraft Manufacturing and Development Co., the majority have been built as amateur-built experimental aircraft. An aircraft kit is produced and distributed in the USA by the Zenith Aircraft Company.

Designed as an easy to build, affordable aircraft the CH 601 has many features, including an all flying rudder, hingeless ailerons, bubble canopy, and assembly using blind rivets.

In Canada the CH 601 can be built and flown as an advanced ultralight or amateur-built. The CH 601 can also be flown under ultralight rules in several other countries. Pilots in the United States may fly the CH 601 under FAA light-sport aircraft rules or as an experimental amateur-built.

[edit] Variants

Several variants of the Zodiac CH601 are available

Zodiac CH601 HD: an updated model of the original Zodiac CH 600
Zodiac CH601 HDS: a version of the HD with tapered and shortened wings for higher cruise speed
Zodiac CH601 (UL): a lightened version, with a gross weight of 1058 lbs (481 kg), suitable for registration as an advanced ultralight
Zodiac CH601 XL or simply the "Zodiac XL": the newest version, featuring a new wing design, landing gear and fuselage.

The tail sections are the only components common among all Zodiac CH601 models.