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The Roland Aircraft Z-602 XL is a high-performance single-engine,
two-seat, low-wing, all metal microlight airplane with a fixed tricycle
undercarriage with steerable nosewheel. The Roland Aircraft Z-602 is a
derivate of the Zenair Zodiac CH-602, the further development of the Zenair CH-601
that was developed in the early 1990s by Chris Heintz, founder and chief designer of Zenair. The Zodiac
CH 601 model itself was based on the original CH 600 aircraft, developed in 1984 as a primary trainer. 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 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 and STOL CH 701
light aircraft designs were produced by CZAW, was terminated the Czech
production came to an end. After the CZAW production of the Zodiac CH-601 ended,
Roland-Aircraft ended its co-operation with Zenith and started production of the Z-602 in Germany, first in Neuhausen ob Eck.
In 2010, Roland-Aircraft moved its production-facilities to Mendig airport. In 2011 all models got a new larger canopy and winglets.
The Z-602 is offered with three landing gear configurations: fixed tricycle, conventional and retractable as the RG model. It is sold
with two different levels of options, the Economy and the Exclusiv. The fixed gear model can be derigged and transported by trailer
in 20 minutes. |
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The April 2008 built Roland Aircraft Z-602 XL s/n Z-9531 was registered D-MIPL in Germany. In April 2022, Roland Aircraft Z-602 XL D-MIPL
was traded in and replaced in July 2022 by the D-MIPL, a Roland 602 Executiv. Behind registration D-MIPL a 2 is painted on this new aircraft.
On 5 September 2015, Roland Aircraft Z-602 XL D-MIPL was seen at the temporary MLA-airfield Gees in Drenthe, the Netherlands, during Fly-in Gees 2015. |
