Aviationweb déjà vu                 Luchtvaart déjà vu Micro Light Aeroplanes

PH-4C2

Aerospool WT9 Dynamic

PH-3T4 PH-3T9
PH-4F2 PH-4G3

Avid Flyer Mark IV

D-METT PH-2H7
PH-2K9 PH-2R1

Roland Aircraft Z-602

D-MIPL
D-MIPL D-MGUN

Zenith Zodiac CH-601

PH-4A6
D-MZXL PH-4A6
PH-4C2 Zenith Zodiac CH-601 XL c/n 6-9711 - MLA airfield Dankern near Haren (Ems) in Germany - 20 May 2018 Flugplatz Haren-Dankern

The Zenith Zodiac CH-601 XL is a high-performance single-engine, two-seat, low-wing, all metal microlight airplane with a fixed tricycle undercarriage with steerable nosewheel. The CH 601 XL was first flown in 1991 as an improved version of the CH-601 HD; developed for the amateur-built market and also for the American Light Sport Aircraft category. The CH-601 was developed in the early 1990s by Chris Heintz, founder and chief designer of Zenair. The Zodiac CH 601 HD (heavy-duty model) is the basic Zodiac model, based on the original CH 600 aircraft developed in 1984 as a primary trainer. With a reduced gross weight, the specifications of the CH-601 UL model are very similar to those of the CH 601 HD model. In 1992, Heintz licensed the kit manufacturing and marketing rights to Zenith Aircraft Company for the Zodiac CH 601 and the STOL CH 701 designs. In 1992, Heintz also entered into a license agreement with Czech Aircraft Works of Stare Mesto, Czech Republic, to produce and market his Zodiac CH 601 and STOL CH 701 designs for the European market. The Czech-produced Zodiacs were modified and lightened to meet European rules for microlight aircraft. CZAW produced some 750 such machines under this agreement. On 31 December 2006, after the license agreement, under which the Zenair Zodiac CH 601 and STOL CH 701 light aircraft designs were produced by CZAW, was terminated the Czech production came to an end. The Zenair CH-601 is nowadays manufactured in kit form by Zenith Aircraft Company, Mexico, Missouri in the USA and as factory-produced Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) by Aircraft Manufacturing and Development Co. in Georgia, USA. In kit form, the aircraft is deliverable as a Basic kit and as an Quickbuild kit. The Basic kit, or 49% Zodiac airframe kit requires about one year (or about 450 hours) to build the aircraft, the quikbuild kit just 120 hours. Recommended power for the CH-601 UL is the four cylinder four stroke 80 HP Rotax 912 UL engine, other alternative power units with a recommended power of 65 to 100 HP and up to 265 lbs. installed weight can be installed. Over 3000 CH-601 airframes are sold all around the world. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Zenith Zodiac CH-601 XL aircraft is CH60.

On 21 May 2008, the under licence by Czech Aircraft Works built Zenith Zodiac CH-601 XL c/n 6-9711 was registered PH-4C2 in the Netherlands. The 2007-built Zenith Zodiac CH-601 XL PH-4C2 is powered by a Rotax 912 ULS engine. The PH-4C2 is operated by Vliegclub Westerwolde / U.L.V. Westerwolde and based at the MLA-aerodrome Stadskanaal in Vledderveen, the Netherlands. On 20 May 2018, the PH-4C2 was seen at the MLA airfield Dankern near Haren (Ems) in Germany.

page last updated: 22-05-2018
Copyright © Jack Wolbrink, Emmen, the Netherlands
 

  aeroplanes index   helicopters index   EC120 - H120 productionlist   Micro Light Aeroplanes   European Airfields