The Definitive Evolution of the Heintz Designed 601 Series!

The ZODIAC XL is the newest model in the popular all-metal ZODIAC kit aircraft series from aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, offering more performance and many new standard features.

Simple and quick to build — easy and fun to fly!

The new ZODIAC XL 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 your own Zodiac XL from:

	Complete Kit: Everything you need to build your own Zodiac...
	Quick-Build Kit for maximum pre-assembly of the airframe
	Component (Section) Kits allow you to "buy-as-you-build"...
	Plans-Only: New 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 $300.
	Fly Away:  Buy the Canadian-made factory-assembled  ZODIAC XL AULA

NEW for 2006:  New Kit Features... Same Low Price! The standard kit now includes many precision CNC pre-cut and pre-drilled skins and components, and also includes new updated CAD Drawings and Photo Assembly Manuals. Click here to view a video clip of parts manufacturing with the CNC router  (3 min. / 5.75 mb).

The ZODIAC is easy and affordable to build and fly, yet it's an airplane you won't easily outgrow: The ZODIAC XL is the perfect project for the first-time builder and the demanding sport pilot, bridging the gap between performance flying and affordable costs.

Zodiac XL Video Short (2:55 min.  / 5.3 MB)

Factory-Assembled ZODIAC XL AULA: Can-Zac Aviation Ltd factory assembled Zodiac XL AULA production aircraft with a Rotax 912S powerplant and Dynon glass panel.

The all-metal, two-seat design features a new wing and canopy design, as well as many additional new features. Zenith's ZODIAC XL factory demonstrator is powered by the six cylinder Jabiru 3300, a 110-hp aircraft engine from Australia. Lycoming O-235 (116-hp), Continental O-200 (100-hp), and Rotax 912S (100-hp) and Corvair (100-hp) engines have also been installed and and successfully flown.

"Since its introduction in 1984, the Zodiac CH601 series has become very popular with first-time builders and low-time pilots" says Heintz. "The new model is designed to achieve maximum performance and efficiency with the new generation engines: the six-cylinder Jabiru, the new 100-hp Rotax 912S, and Subaru automotive conversions, as well as popular conventional aircraft engines, such as the Lycoming O-235 and O-200."

The ZODIAC CH 601 XL has a new airfoil and larger wing area than its predecessor, which allows the new aircraft to achieve higher speeds with a higher payload. With new wing flaps, stall speed has been kept low for recreational pilots.

The XL has been configured to take full advantage of its increased useful load: New and larger wing tanks offer a larger fuel capacity (24 US Gal.) resulting in superior range and endurance, and the baggage area behind the seat has also been increased.

New Features... New Values:

	New wing design for increased efficiency while also lowering stall speed.
	Dual wing tanks: capacity: 24 US Gallons (2 x 12 Gal.)
	New spring main landing gear
	Increased rear baggage area.
	Increased useful load.
	Wing flaps (electric)
	New canopy design
	New Quick Build Kit
	and many more new features...
	Click here for an illustrated summary of new features

The NEW Zodiac from Zenith Aircraft Company

The ZODIAC XL features a completely new wing design for increased capability.  The XL design features a new airfoil and a larger wing area than the ZODIAC CH 601 HDS model, which allows the XL design to achieve higher speeds with a higher payload. With the addition of wing flaps, the stall speed has been kept low for recreational pilots.

 

	The profile of the ZODIAC XL wing is 15% thick (Riblett GA 35-A-415 airfoil).
	Plan Form: The wing is slightly tapered with a straight spar and leading edge
	Ailerons and flaps on the trailing edge.
	Wing dihedral is standard, starting at the fuselage.

Hoerner wing tips have become a trademark of Heintz designs.   The tapered tips maximize the effective lift area of the wing while minimizing the wing span. The wingtip is fitted with a fiberglass fairing to accommodate a wingtip strobe and/or navigation light.

While the XL wing design is new, the simple construction techniques that have made the ZODIAC famous have remained the same.

The wings bolt to the ZODIAC fuselage section, and can be readily removed for trailering or storing the aircraft.  Six bolts in the wing spar bolt to the fuselage center section, and one bolt fastens the rear spar channel to the fuselage. With the wings removed the aircraft is less than 8 feet wide for easy trailering or storage of the aircraft.  The widest points are the horizontal tail (7 ft. 10 inches; 2.39 m.) and the main gear (7 ft. 8 inches; 2.34 m.).  The tail sections can also easily be removed from the fuselage, if required.

Located inside the wing (behind the spar), the optional Wing Baggage Locker increases baggage space with dual wing baggage lockers.  Each locker measures approx. 19" (48 cm.) x 16" (40.5 cm.) x 9" (23 cm.) tall. Click here for an additional photo.  Click here for an additional photo (closed door).

Wing Specifications:

Top view of the new ZODIAC XL wing

 

Ailerons:
The large ailerons provide precise and light roll control.  The standard ailerons are attached to the wing with a unique "hingeless" system, flexing the aileron skin which is riveted to the top of the wing trailing edge. [Click here for additional details on the "hingeless" ailerons.]  Alternatively, a conventional "piano hinge" can be used.

The ZODIAC XL has been configured to take full advantage of its increased useful load. The fuel is located in dual welded-aluminum wing tanks. The standard dual wing tanks offer a fuel capacity of 24 US gallons.  Long Range fuel tanks are optionally available, which increase the total capacity to 30 US gallons (2 x 15 gallons) to provide superior range and endurance.

Welded Aluminum Wing Tank:

The ZODIAC XL features a new spring main landing gear system. The standard tricycle gear provides effective ground handling and allows for excellent forward visibility while taxiing. The heavy-duty tricycle gear system was chosen as the standard gear configuration for the ZODIAC XL to meet the needs of today’s pilots: Most pilots are not experienced ‘taildragger’ pilots, and a tricycle gear provides better stability and control on the ground. (A taildragger gear option is also available).

The ZODIAC XL utilizes a sturdy gear system to allow grass-field operation. The main gear comprises of a simple single-piece aluminum spring leaf which is bolted to the bottom of the fuselage. The single carry-through main gear provides double cantilever deflection. The main gear is fitted with large tires equipped with independent hydraulic disk brakes.

Video Clip: Spring Landing Gear Drop Test  6 seconds / 2.3 MB
While the spring gear is not the lightest gear system around, it provides a smooth ride and excellent rough-field capability, and is very durable, simple and virtually maintenance-free.  Installation of the main gear spring is simply a matter of bolting it to the fuselage. The new gear system also allows for a clean installation of wheel fairings (optional) to further reduce drag.
The main gear is equipped with high-quality and lightweight 500x5 aircraft wheels and hydraulic brakes.  Optional fiberglass wheel fairings increase aerodynamics, and give the ZODIAC XL a sleeker look.

The nosewheel strut uses a single heavy-duty bungee for shock absorbency. The nosewheel is steerable, with direct linkage to the rudder pedals for very effective and responsive ground handling and tight turns. The main wheels are equipped with independent hydraulic disk brakes.

The ZODIAC XL Nosegear Assembly
[Click image for full size view]

The ZODIAC XL's direct linkage steerable nosewheel, plus differential braking, provide remarkably precise ground handling and steering.

The quality wheels, rugged gear and good take-off and landing performance make the ZODIAC XL well suited for grass-field operation.

Click here for a schematic of the firewall / nosegear assembly

The new fiberglass Wheel Fairings Option Kit increases the aerodynamics of the ZODIAC XL.  The new wheel fairings are narrower in width than previous Zodiac fairings, and are easier and quicker to install.  Click here for additional details.

The ZODIAC XL can also be equipped with a tailwheel gear configuration.  There is no additional charge for the tailwheel gear configuration kit option as it replaces the standard tricycle gear supplied in the kit.  Click here for additional information and photos. Note:  The standard wheels supplied is the kit are 500x5 size.  Larger 600x6 wheels may be purchased instead of the 500x5 wheels.

The new ZODIAC XL offers comfortable and spacious two-place side-by-side seating in an ergonomically designed 44-inch wide cabin. The cabin has been engineered to fit both large and tall pilots. The huge tinted bubble canopy (plexiglass), which provides outstanding 360 degree visibility, is now hinged in the front and allows easy access from either side of the aircraft. Access to the cabin is easy over the 20-inch wide wing walkway on both sides of the cockpit, and is facilitated by a ‘step’ located below the trailing edge of the wing.

"The visibility under that big bubble canopy is outstanding..."
	- SportPlane Resource Guide (Second Edition)

Custom instrument panel / interior:
"...you might think you're looking at the interior of a racy sports car, but it's actually the interior of the sport ZODIAC XL... nice appeal to folks who want an airplane that looks and feels a bit more modern." — EAA Experimenter magazine

The ZODIAC XL is a kit aircraft you won't easily outgrow
...in more ways than one.

The ZODIAC's cabin is ergonomically designed for comfortable side-by-side seating... even for larger pilots.  The ZODIAC's seating arrangement provides "Lazy-Boy" comfort, even on long cross-country flights.   The cabin has been designed to fit both large and tall pilots (up to 6'6" in some cases).

 
The above drawing is not to exact scale.   Dimensions are approximate.  

The large main baggage area is located directly behind the seats for easy access.  Optional wing baggage lockers provide additional storage space inside the wing.
The ZODIAC wings can be easily removed for easy trailering or storage.

Located inside the wing (behind the spar), the optional Wing Baggage Locker increases baggage space with dual wing baggage lockers.  Each locker measures approx. 19" (48 cm.) x 16" (40.5 cm.) x 9" (23 cm.) tall.

The rudder pedal position and canopy height are adjustable during construction.  Seat upholstery will vary the seating dimensions.  A custom upholstery kit is now available.

Custom instrument panel / interior with the dual control sticks option:
The Zodiac XL cabin is an ideal flight training environment.

"The numbers don't relate perfectly to the sensation of speed. It might have been the open bubble canopy, which insures massive visibility, but also imparts a sense of motion. The canopy had good optical qualities, seeming distortion free to my eyes. "During steep turns it was simple to visually keep the maneuvering area free of other traffic. In straight and level flight, my view of the world was enormous in every direction..."

General Aviation News

Email Message to Zenith Aircraft:
	"Just a quick note to let u know that I am 6'4" and weigh over 250 and I fit into the Super ZODIAC nicely. I encountered lots of headroom with the bubble canopy and was very surprised with the room." - TW

Custom Panels from Can-Zac Aviation Ltd.

The roomy ZODIAC cabin is equipped with a large instrument panel and dual controls accessible from both the left and right seats. The center-mounted control column (stick) can easily be used from either side, and does not limit visibility of the instrument panel. Dual throttle controls are mounted on both sides of the panel for easy access. A Dual Control Sticks Option is also available. The dual rudder pedals also steer the nose-wheel (tricycle gear configuration), and are equipped with standard hydraulic toe-brakes on the pilot’s side.  There is plenty of room behind the instrument panel (20") to accommodate full custom instruments and avionics. Following is a sample panel with gyro instruments and a GPS/Comm and transponder installed.