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NEW
ZODIAC CH 650
Zodiac XL Info:
Design Features
Specifications
Performance
Quick-Build
Kit
Cabin
Dual
Sticks
Upholstery
Kit
Price Info
Engines:
Jabiru
3300
Continental
O-200
Corvair
Lycoming
Rotax
Others
Builders
on the Net
Drawings
& Manuals
Photo Updates
Starter Kit
Builder
Assist
Press
Reviews
For More
Info...

RC
Scale Model
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The affordable recreational kit
airplane for the sport pilot: Enjoy leisure flights, with exceptional unrestricted visibility... operate from grass strips... make round trips of several hundred miles in a single day... Take your partner for a local pleasure flight, or to a far-off
destination...
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The
NEW Sport Pilot
Ready Kit Plane from Zenith
Aircraft Company!
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The Zodiac CH 650: New and updated features with modern new
styling |
The ZODIAC CH 650 is a second
generation light sport aircraft, developed specifically for Sport
Pilots. It is the latest model in the Zodiac line of aircraft
from aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz,
first introduced in 1984. This newest model offers
new
and updated features including
modern new styling
with a larger cabin area. Some of the Zodiac's new features include:
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“...a playful,
delightful airplane with side-by-side seating and a gorgeous
bubble canopy. Handling is great, stability is pleasant, and the
kit is very straight forward.
Highly recommended.” |
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Based on the
Zodiac CH 601 XL
model introduced in 2001, the new ZODIAC
CH 650 has been developed specifically to meet the
FAA's
Sport Pilot /
Light-Sport Aircraft category, and offers maximum
performance and capability possible under the new FAA category. With
new and updated features and modern styling, the Zodiac CH 650 replaces
the Zodiac XL model.
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Zodiac CH 650 LSA, powered by the 100-hp Continental O-200 engine: |
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The lighter European Zodiac CH 650 powered by the 100-hp Rotax 912 ULS
engine: [ More Photos ] |
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New aircraft models, like the Zodiac CH 650
and the new STOL CH 750, keep
Zenith Aircraft Company at the forefront of the light aircraft industry.
This newest model introduces refinements that compete
directly with European imports in the Light Sport (LSA) marketplace, while
still offering an
exceptional value and choices,
allowing builders to construct the Zodiac CH 650 from complete kits,
component kits, or even from plans-only, and offering kit builders a wide
selection of engine choices to power their aircraft.
The October 2008
issue of EAA
Sport Pilot & Light Sport Aircraft magazine reports the
following:
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The Chris Heintz-designed
CH 600 Zodiac spawned a series of
designs, each of them an improvement over the earlier iteration,
and each became easier to build and more versatile in the air.
The latest models, the CH 650 LS AND LSi, introduced at
AirVenture 2008, combine the best of a European-built CH 601 XL
sold as a ready-to-fly aircraft, the AMD CH 601 XL sold as an
S-LSA, and the Zenith Aircraft Company’s amateur built CH 601 XL
kit.
The CH 650 is now offered to markets worldwide, with detail
changes as needed to comply with governmental regulations.
Eventually, the 601 XL will be phased out. The 650 is available
as plans (with CAD drawings and assembly manuals), a complete
kit (or a series of sub kits) from Zenith Aircraft, Mexico, Missouri, (www.zenithair.com),
or as a ready-to-fly S-LSA from Aircraft Design Manufacturing &
Design (AMD) (www.NewPlane.com)
of Eastman Georgia.
The CH 650 LS’s improvements include a more-convenient hinged
clamshell bubble canopy, with dual tube 4130 roll-over
protection. The new canopy keeps the traditional look of the
Zodiac alive while adding headroom. (The new roll-over
protection and redesigned canopy latching system are also
available from Zenith Aircraft as an upgrade kit for existing
Zodiac Owners.)
In deference to the CH 650 LS’s anticipated role as a primary
trainer, its landing gear is tougher and sports standard
aviation 500-by-5 wheels and brakes. The gear system is bigger,
making the aircraft taller, and the AMD main gear spring is
gun-drilled, for cleaner, more protected brake line routing.
The rudder was redesigned and looks sleeker. The “European” wing
angle is now standard on the 650 LS, with the trailing edge of
the wing tilted down about 2 inches. Extra aluminum braces have
been added to the fuselage sides and wings. The interior sports
carpeting, and parts familiar to other Heintz-designed airplanes
include the rudder pedals, the cowl, the nose gear strut, and
firewall, all similar to the larger CH 640, CH 801, AND CH 2000.
Much work was done to the controls, which are now more balanced
for better feel. “The 650 LS’s airframe structure and flying
characteristics are now more like an FAR 23 type aircraft,” said
AMD Sales Director John Degonia. “Flying schools and pilots who
were looking at buying an FAR 23 aircraft have now committed to
the 650.”
The IFR airframe of the 650 LSi is based on what was required to
certify the Alarus CH 2000 to FAR 23 Certification. The 650 LS
is powered by a TCM (Continental) O-200 with Sensenich
fixed-pitch prop. Performance and safety options include a BRS
all-aircraft parachute system, AmSafe airbag-seat belts, full electric gyro instruments, and
wheelpants.
In the experimental kit version, the CH 650’s firewall-forward
will accommodate a Jabiru 3300,
Lycoming O-235 or -233, or
Rotax
four-cylinder powerplants as alternatives to the S-LSA version’s
TCM O-200.
With the Continental O-200 engine, the AMD 650 LS carries 30
gallons of fuel and has a useful load of 550 pounds. (With the
Jabiru 3300, the useful load is 625 pounds, leaving a generous
481 pounds with full 24 gallon tanks.)
Panel Options run the gamut from basic VFR to a Dynon EFIS,
TruTrak one- or two-axis autopilots, and many Garmin options,
including a 430 system. The AMD Zodiac 650 on display at
AirVenture 2008 was equipped with the new EFD1000 Pro primary
flight display system from Aspen Avionics and a WAAS-certified
GNS 530W GPS/nav/comm by Garmin. Price of the factory-built 650
is just under $100,000. |
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From
EAA Sport Pilot & Light Sport Aircraft
magazine, October 2008
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Note: We are currently updating
our website to reflect the new ZODIAC CH 650. Most of the
information contained on the Zodiac XL design is the same as that for
the newer CH 650 model.
Simple and quick to
build — easy and fun to fly!
The new ZODIAC CH 650 design offers superior performance and capabilities, comfortable
side-by-side seating, affordable costs, and best of all, the ZODIAC is
available as a durable all-metal kit that you can quickly build yourself - with
just basic skills and tools.
Build the new ZODIAC CH 650 from:
- Complete Kits:
Everything you need to build your own Zodiac...
- Component
(Section) Kits allow you to
"buy-as-you-build"...
- Plans-Only: CAD
Drawings and Photo
Assembly Manuals permit you to "scratch-build" the entire
aircraft (parts and components can be purchased individually).
- Starter Kit: The rudder starter kit
allows you to gain hands-on experience while actually starting to
build your own aircraft... for just $375.
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Fly Away: Buy the
American-made factory-assembled certified ZODIAC CH 650 LS Light Sport
Aircraft from AMD. IFR certified model
available.
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On owning and operating the ZODIAC CH 650 LSi:
"I initially considered the AMD Zodiac because I wanted
a special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA) that was approved
for night flight and instrument flight rules (IFR).
I like the idea of working with a U.S.-based company,
and it turned out to be a good decision... As an
instrument trainer, the Zodiac is economical, stable and
provides and approach speed that gives the student
time..."
- Y. Forsyth, Gaithersburg, MD (Excerpted
from EAA Sport Pilot magazine. December 2008).
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European ZODIAC CH 650E model:
The European
model of the new Zodiac CH 650 features a lower weight
(to meet European ultralight or microlight rules) and
the 100-hp Rotax 912 ULS powerplant.
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Click
here for the latest
ZODIAC updates
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