Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jim Belcher on March 28, 2010 at 11:07am

I believe there was some discussion about inviting the FAA and the NTSB to a Zenith forum at Sun 'N Fun. Have they responded positively to this request?

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on March 30, 2010 at 1:59pm

Jim,
I will follow up on this.

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on April 6, 2010 at 9:16am

To all,
The FAA has confirmed that they will be present at the Zodiac forum at SNF. However, they will be at the back of the tent and will be available for questions after the forum only.

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on April 20, 2010 at 8:23am

To all,
I am back at Zenair from Sun-n-Fun aircraft show in Florida. It was a good show and interest in the Zodiac 650 is starting to regain some strength. We added the B designation behind the 650 so now its the Zodiac 650B or 601XLB. Zenith will be sending out decals of all this in the very near future, once customers confirm that they have completed the upgrade.
I talked to at least 30 Zodiac builders who are in the process of doing the upgrade or already flying with it. Everyone was positive so I think we are on the right track to recovery. Our Zodiac forum was a success with good feedback and again very positive. The FAA attended forum and was available to all after.
AMD sent out a letter to the FAA confirming that flight testing of the Zodiac with the upgrade was done as per the ASTM LSA rule. However, I would still like to complete a more detailed flight test as previously discussed.

Thanks again to everyone for your continued support.

Permalink Reply by Allan / Zenair Australia on April 22, 2010 at 8:00am

Hi Mathieu

I and fellow builders would like to thank you and the Zenith Team for your support and guidence over the last 6 mths.
In Australia we now have 4 x 601 XL that are fully fitted with the Mod Kits and flying. There are a further 28 Mod kits being fitted to 601's in various stages of constrution.
Thanks and cheers from down under

Allan
Zenair Australia

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on April 23, 2010 at 12:09pm

Allan,
Thanks very much for the support and am really glad that all of you are finally starting to enjoy your aircraft again.

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on June 8, 2010 at 9:38am

FYI

One of the AMD dealers out West just sold a used SLSA (factory built) 650 for just under $80K. Before the upgrade, nobody would have touched the aircraft so this is excellent news. My understanding is that the proud new owner was well aware of all the past issues and bought the aircraft after seeing one being upgraded in a shop.

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on July 7, 2010 at 12:46pm

FYI
Here is the State Government's Coroners investigation report into the Zodiac XL that went down in 2008.

Attachments:

• Australia XL crash report June 2010.pdf, 280 KB

Permalink Reply by Greg Browning on July 7, 2010 at 10:13pm

Has anyone been able to open this file? It is not allowing me access????

Permalink Reply by Stephen R. Smith on July 7, 2010 at 10:55pm

Greg,

I had no problem opening and reading.

Steve

P.S. Mathieu, thanks for posting it.

Permalink Reply by Chris Sinfield on July 8, 2010 at 11:45pm

This is the Coroners report not the RAA Crash report. it has errors in it.
The pilot had a heart attack.

Permalink Reply by Matt Heintz on August 9, 2010 at 9:47am

Oshkosh update - Zodiac XL &650.
We had another excellent forum at the show. About 150 attended and even a few FAA guys were present. It was excellent to hear from owners who are now really enjoying their aircraft after the upgrade. Congratulations to all of you.

Please remember that once you are finished with the upgrade, inspect the aircraft with the detailed inspection list (+60 pages) and get someone with aircraft airframe maintenance experience to assist. A second set of eyes is very important when doing the work yourself. Also remember to plan your flights as you start flying again. Fuel, weather, speed, distance etc.

From the response that we are now getting from owners who are flying and did the upgrade, the Zodiac is truly an excellent design. Together, we can rebuild the reputation of the aircraft.

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