Tue, Aug 01, 2006
LSA Competitors Part Ways
Aero-News has learned that two powerhouses in the emerging light
sport aircraft industry have agreed to terminate a longstanding
license agreement. Chris Heintz, president of Zenair Ltd. and Chip
Erwin, CEO of Czech Aircraft Works, announced Monday that as of
December 31, 2006 Zenair's Zodiac CH 601 and STOL CH 701 light
aircraft will no longer be produced in the Czech Republic for the
European market.
That means starting in 2007, the all-metal STOL CH 701 and
Zodiac CH 601 (above) will no longer be produced and sold by Czech
Aircraft Works... but will instead be available across Europe
through the Zenair dealer network, with kits coming from Zenith
Aircraft Company in Missouri and assembled aircraft from Zenair
Ltd.
Czech Aircraft Works will continue manufacturing the Heintz
designs through 2006, and will also continue to provide spare parts
and technical support to its existing customers.
Heintz originally entered into a license agreement with Czech
Aircraft Works of Stare Mesto, Czech Republic in the 90s, to
produce and market his two aircraft designs for the European
market. The Czech-produced Zodiacs were modified and lightened to
meet European rules for "microlight" aircraft, with CZAW ultimately
producing some 750 such machines under this agreement.
Of course, the playing field has changed since then... with
Czech Aircraft Works designing and developing its own line of light
aircraft in direct competition with Zenair's planes in the light
sport aircraft category -- the amphibious Mermaid (above), the
high-winged Parrot (we're still waiting to hear what its new name will be) and the
SportCruiser. Both parties stress those aircraft are not affiliated
in any way with Heintz, the designer and engineer responsible for
the entire line of Zenair aircraft.
In the United States, Heintz's designs are manufactured in kit
form by Zenith Aircraft Company, and as factory-produced
Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) by Aircraft Manufacturing and
Development Co. in Georgia; while Czech Aircraft Works designs are
produced in the Czech Republic, and imported by Sport Aircraft
Works of Indiantown, FL..
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