Zenair

Formed 1974 and currently producing the Zenith CH 2000 certificated two-seat Iightpiane (first flown June 1993 and delivered in assembled form from 1994). Also markets the Zenith CH-100 single-seater, Aero CH-150 and CH-180 (aerobatic variants of CH-200), Zenith CH-200 two-seat Iightpiane and Zenith CH-250 long-range version, and Zenith CH-300 (Tri-Z) three/four-seat Iightpiane (as variant of CH 2000), all built from plans and/or kits.

Zenith Aircraft Company is in the exclusive business of designing, developing and manufacturing kit aircraft. The independent, privately-owned company was formed in 1992 in Mexico, Missouri, centrally located in the United States, and is based in leased 20,000+ sq.ft. production facilities at Mexico Memorial Airport. Zenith Aircraft Company has acquired the exclusive rights to manufacture and market Zenair kit aircraft designs from designer Chris Heintz.

Chris Heintz

An aeronautical engineer, Chris Heintz is a graduate of the E.T.H Institute in Switzerland. After serving in the Air Force, Heintz worked for Aerospatiale on the supersonic Concorde jetliner, and later became chief engineer at Avions Robin (France) where he designed several fully-certified two and four seat all-metal production aircraft.
In his spare time, Heintz began to design and build his own aircraft, which he named the ZENITH, anagram of Heintz. His all-metal homebuilt aircraft incorporated simple construction methods throughout and after a little more than a year’s work, the two-place low-wing Zenith was rolled out and successfully flown in 1969. Soon after, detailed blueprints and construction manuals of the aircraft were drawn up and offered to the growing number of interested builders and flyers.
In 1973, Chris Heintz, his family and the Zenith moved to North America, where Heintz worked for de Havilland (in Toronto) as a stress engineer on the Dash 7 commuter. Chris decided to form his own aircraft company in 1974, and under the name of Zenair Ltd. started to manufacture Zenith kits himself from his two-car garage. Through the company, Heintz has introduced more than twelve successful kit aircraft designs over the years. In 1992, Heintz licensed the kit manufacturing and marketing rights to Zenith Aircraft Company for the STOL CH 701 and the ZODIAC CH 601 designs, and has developed the new STOL CH 801 and the new ZODIAC XL for Zenith Aircraft Company.
While Heintz officially retired in 2003, he is still very active as a designer, engineer and consultant.

1996: Huronia Airport, Midland, Ontario L4R 4K8, Canada.
PO Box 650, Mexico Memorial Airport, Mexico, MO 65265-0650.

By 1996, Zenair had a production facility in Mexico, Missouri, USA, headed by Sebastion Heintz (son of the designer, Chris Heintz)

Zanzottera MZ 301

The MZ301i has electronic fuel injection, twin electronic ignition, and electric start.

MZ 301
Cycle: 2 stroke
No cylinders: 1
Bore: 76 mm
Stroke: 69 mm
Compression: 9.3
Displacement: 939 cc
Cooling: Air
Ignition: DCDI
Reduction: Mechanical Integral damper 2.18:1 to 3.66:1
Dimension: 200 x 400 x 500 mm
Weight: 39 kg
Max pwr: 85 hp at 6500 rpm

Zanzottera MZ 201 / MZ 202 / Compact Radial Engines MZ 201 / MZ 202

The Zanzottera MZ 201 and MZ 202 are a family of twin-cylinder, in-line two-stroke, dual ignition aircraft engines designed for ultralight aircraft and motor gliders. The engine was originally designed and produced by Zanzottera Technologies of Italy, but the design was sold, along with the rest of the company’s two-stroke ultralight aircraft engine line, to Compact Radial Engines of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

The MZ 202 was developed first as a 60 hp (45 kW) lightweight competitor to the liquid-cooled 64 hp (48 kW) Rotax 582. Later the MZ 201 was developed from the MZ 202 as a de-rated 45 hp (34 kW) version intended for motorgliders and single place ultralights that needed more power than the single-cylinder MZ 34.

The MZ 201 and 202 both have a cylinder barrels that are Nikasil-coated. The bore and stroke are the same as the single-cylinder MZ 34 engine. The MZ 201 features an optional recoil starter or electric starting, while the MZ 202 has electric starting only. The MZ 201 has a choice of a reduction drive belt or gearbox, while the MZ 202 offers just the gearbox with reduction ratios of 2.18, 2.55, 2.88, 3.11 or 3.66 to 1.

The unit cost for the MZ 201 in 2009 was US$4440, and the MZ 202 US$5560.

The owners manual acknowledges the limitations inherent in the design of the engine, stating:
This is not an aeronautic approved engine.
This engine has not been subjected to durability and safety tests in compliance with aeronautical standards and is not a certified engine. It is designed to be used in ULM or aeroplanes where engine failure will not produce serious consequences. The user must assume responsibility for all risks deriving from the use of this engine and must understand that this engine is subject to sudden failure. Engine failure may result in an emergency landing. Such accidents may cause serious material damage, injury and/or death. Never use an aircraft fitted with this engine in areas, conditions and altitudes that may cause problems if forced to land as a result of sudden engine failure.

Variants:
MZ 201
Twin-cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke dual ignition 45 hp (34 kW) aircraft engine optimized for motorgliders and single place ultralights. Equipped with a single Tillotson carburetor.

MZ 202
Twin-cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke dual ignition 60 hp (45 kW) aircraft engine. Equipped with dual Bing carburetors.

MZ 202i
Twin-cylinder, air-cooled, two-stroke dual ignition 67 hp (50 kW) aircraft engine. Equipped with electronic fuel injection, controlled by a computerized engine management system. No longer in production

Applications:

MZ 201
Belite Aircraft Superlite
SlipStream Scepter
Spacek SD-1 Minisport
Star Bee Light
Taggart GyroBee
Wings of Freedom Flitplane

MZ 202
ASAP Beaver Plus 2
Apex Cross 5
Mosquito Aviation XE
Sabre Wildcat
Star Bee Total Bee

Specifications:
MZ 202
Type: Twin-cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine
Bore: 76 mm (2.99 in)
Stroke: 69 mm (2.72 in)
Displacement: 626 cc (38.20 cu in)
Length: 313.5 mm (12.34 in)
Width: 299.4 mm (11.79 in)
Height: 331.1 mm (13.04 in)
Dry weight: 38 kg (84 lb) with starter motor, two carburettors, fuel pump, cooling system and exhaust system.
Valvetrain: Reed valve induction
Fuel type: Premium auto fuel
Oil system: 50:1 oil to fuel, premixed
Cooling system: air-cooled
Reduction gear: RZ 2 gearbox with reduction ratios of 2.18, 2.55, 2.88, 3.11 or 3.66 to 1
Power output: 63 hp (47 kW) at 6250 rpm
Compression ratio: 9.1:1
Ignition: DCDI
Price 1998: 17530 Fttc

Zanzottera MZ 34 / MZ 35 / Compact Radial Engines MZ 34 / MZ 35

The Zanzottera MZ 34 and MZ 35 are a family of single-cylinder, two-stroke, single ignition aircraft engines designed for powered paragliders, one and two place powered parachutes, single place ultralight trikes, light single place ultralight aircraft and motor gliders.

The engine was originally designed and produced by Zanzottera Technologies of Italy, but the design was sold, along with the rest of the company’s two-stroke ultralight aircraft engine line to Compact Radial Engines of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

The MZ 34 and 35 both have a cylinder barrel that is Nikasil-coated. The engine features a decompression channel to allow easier recoil starting, a tuned exhaust system and a belt-type reduction drive. Starting options include a recoil or electric starter.

Earlier versions produced 26 hp (19 kW) at 6250 rpm or 38 hp (28 kW) with a tuned exhaust at 6450 rpm. The current production engine is rated at 27.5 hp (21 kW) at 6250 rpm. Reduction ratios available are 1.84, 2.05, 2.14, 2.24 and 2.34 to 1.

The unit cost for the MZ 34 in 2009 was US$2840, and the MZ 35 US$3120.

The owners manual acknowledges the limitations inherent in the design of the engine, stating:
This is not an aeronautics approved engine.
This engine has not been subjected to durability and safety tests in compliance with aeronautical standards. It is designed to be used in paramotors and ULM or aeroplanes where engine failure will not produce serious consequences. The user must assume responsibility for all risks deriving from the use of this engine and must understand that this engine is subject to sudden failure. Engine failure may result in an emergency landing. Such accidents may cause serious material damage and injuries. Never use an aircraft fitted with this engine in areas or at conditions and altitudes which may cause problems if forced to land as a result of sudden engine failure.

Variants:

MZ 34
Single cylinder, two stroke single ignition aircraft engine optimized for powered paragliders, one and two place powered parachutes, single place ultralight trikes, light single place ultralight aircraft

MZ 35
Single cylinder, two stroke single ignition aircraft engine with a narrower profile, optimized for motor-gliders

Applications:
Aviastroitel AC-5M
Belite Aircraft Superlite
The Butterfly Super Sky Cycle
Earthstar Thunder Gull
Fly Products Power
North Wing ATF
Paramotor Inc FX5
Spartan DFS Trike

Specifications:
MZ 34
Type: Single cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine
Bore: 76 mm (2.99 in)
Stroke: 69 mm (2.72 in)
Displacement: 313 cc (19.10 cu in)
Length: 296 mm (11.65 in)
Height: 410 mm (16.14 in)
Dry weight: 17 kg (37 lb) with engine mount and silent-block mountings, starter motor, manual starter, reduction drive and muffler
Valvetrain: Reed valve induction
Oil system: 50:1 oil to fuel, premixed
Cooling system: air cooled
Ignition: Electronic
Reduction gear: Poly-V Belt drive with optional ratios of 1.84, 2.05, 2.14, 2.24 or 2.34 to 1
Power output: 27.5 hp (21 kW) at 6250 rpm
Max torque: 35 hp at 4100 rpm
Compression ratio: 9.6:1
Price 1998: 149 00 Fttc

Yvon Perret EViva

The Yuneec EViva was originally designed by Martin Wezel in conjunction with the Czech company Composit and initially intended to be powered by a 50 hp (37 kW) Rotax 503 two-stroke or 60 hp (45 kW) HKS 700E four-stroke powerplant.

The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. It features a cantilever wing, a T-tail, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy, retractable monowheel gear with wing tip and tail casters, and a single electric motor in tractor configuration driving a folding propeller.

The design was purchased by Yuneec, development shifted to China and the aircraft was adapted for electric power.

The aircraft is made from composites. Its 17 m (55.8 ft) span wing has an area of 14.2 m2 (153 sq ft) and upper wing telescopic air brakes as well as flaps. The wing is derived from the Wezel Apis 2 wing. The standard engine fitted is the 40 kW (54 hp) Yuneec Power Drive 40 electric motor, controlled by a Yuneec Power Block 40 400 Amp power controller and powered by two Kokam Lithium polymer battery packs of 31 Ampere-hours (Ah) each (62 Ah total). The engine weighs 23 kg (51 lb), the controller 7 kg (15 lb) and the batteries weigh 67 kg (148 lb) in total. The propeller folds aft into the engine cooling vents when not in use and deploys automatically on engine start. The batteries are charged by a Yuneec E-Charger that can run on 110-240 volts and charge in 3–4 hours.

First flown in 2012, the projected price in 2011 was €91,000.

Powerplant: 1 × Yuneec Power Drive 40 electric motor, 40 kW (54 hp)
Battery packs: two Kokam Lithium polymer packs of 31 Ah each (62 Ah total)
Propeller: 2-bladed folding carbon fibre
Prop diameter: 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 17 m (55 ft 9 in) / 11.6 m with wing tips removed
Wing area: 14.2 m2 (153 sq ft)
Length: 6.9 m (22 ft 8 in)
Height: 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Empty weight: 225 kg (496 lb)
Gross weight: 472.5 kg (1,042 lb)
Maximum speed: 180 km/h (112 mph; 97 kn)
Cruise speed: 160 km/h (99 mph; 86 kn)
Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph; 35 kn) flaps down
Never exceed speed: 230 km/h (143 mph; 124 kn)
Endurance: 1.3 hours on batteries
Maximum glide ratio: 38:1
Rate of sink: 0.65 m/s (128 ft/min) at 85 km/h (53 mph)
Wing loading: 33.3 kg/m2 (6.8 lb/sq ft)
Crew: one
Capacity: one passenger

Yuneec E-430 / GreenWing International GW430

The Yuneec International E430 is a Chinese two-seat electric aircraft designed for commercial production by electric model aircraft manufacturer Yuneec International.

The E430 is a two-seat, V tailed, composite aircraft with a high-aspect ratio wing. Take-off speed is 40 mph, cruise speed is 60 mph, and max speed is 95 mph.

The company claims that the battery packs have an expected lifespan of 1500 hours and cost US$7000 each, with the aircraft carrying 3-5 battery packs, giving two to two and half hours endurance. The batteries can be recharged in 3–4 hours from a 220v outlet.

The aircraft was being developed as a kit aircraft for the US market. The development of the E430 was being funded entirely by Yuneec CEO Tian Yu.

The aircraft was first flown on 12 June 2009 from the Yuneec factory near Shanghai, China, and then shipped for further testing to Camarillo, California. On 14 July 2009 the prototype aircraft was registered in the USA as N386CX and on 18 July 2009 it was given a Certificate of Airworthiness by the Federal Aviation Administration and further test flights were carried out, totalling 22 hours. The prototype E430 was then shipped by truck to Wisconsin and displayed at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July 2009. It was also on display at that venue in summer of 2010.

In July 2009 the company estimated that the price for a commercially available light sport aircraft production version of the E430 would be US$89,000.

At AirVenture 2010 the company announced that it would start accepting orders for the aircraft after the show. At that date the aircraft was advertised as having an endurance of 2.25 to 2.5 hours with a useful load of 390 lb (177 kg). The E430 was named the winner of the Lindberg prize for electric aircraft at AirVenture in 2010. The Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize (LEAP) was awarded by Erik Lindbergh, the grandson of Charles A. Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. In the same year it was named Brit Insurance Design of the Year in the transport category. Deliveries were initially scheduled for late 2011, but by the end of 2012 there was no indication that more than prototypes had been completed.

Yuneec International, created GreenWing International and in June 2013 it was announced that their GW280 (eSypder) and GW430 (e430) airplanes will be produced, marketed and supported by GreenWing International, however that company went out of business in about 2014.

By December 2012 a total of two examples had been registered in the United States with the Federal Aviation Administration. The first one was the initial prototype shipped to the US, registered in the Experimental – Exhibition category on 14 July 2009, although its registration expired on 31 March 2012. The second was registered in the Experimental – Research and Development category on 26 January 2011 to Flying Tian of Monterey Park, California.

E430
Engine: 1 × Yuneec Power Drive 40, 40 kW (54 hp)
Batteries: Yuneec OEM Lithium Polymer, 13 kg (28.6 lbs), 66.6V (30 Ah) each
Propeller: 2-bladed fixed pitch
Length: 6.98 m (22 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 13.8 m (45 ft 3 in)
Wing area: 11.37 sq.m (122.4 sq ft)
Empty weight: 250 kg (551 lb) with batteries
Gross weight: 470 kg (1,036 lb)
Maximum speed: 150 km/h (93 mph; 81 kn)
Cruising speed: 90 km/h (56 mph; 49 kn)
Stall speed: 70 km/h (43 mph; 38 kn)
Range: 227 km (141 mi; 123 nmi)
Maximum glide ratio: 25:1
Rate of climb: 3.5 m/s (690 ft/min)
Wing loading: 41.3 kg/sq.m (8.5 lb/sq ft)
Seats: 2

Yuneec eSpyder / GreenWing International GW280

The Flightstar is a large family of single and two-seat, high wing, single engined kit aircraft that was produced by Flightstar Sportplanes of South Woodstock, Connecticut. In 2009 the rights, tooling and parts inventory were sold to Yuneec International of China when Flightstar Sportplanes’ business was wound up.

In April 2014 Yuneec International of China debuted its eSpyder electric at the AERO event in Germany. The eSpyder is a reworked Flightstar ultralight from the 1980s. Flight Design USA’s Tom Peghiny, producer of the Flightstar for many years, sold the design to Yuneec but continued helping with development. The eSpyder, has completed Germany’s DULV aviation standard.

In July 2009 a new single seat model was exhibited at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The aircraft is intended to be developed into a commercially available kit and forecast to be available for under US$25,000.

The e-Spyder is an electric-powered and beefing up (enlarging and strengthening) version of the Flightstar Spyder. The aircraft replaces the Spyder’s two-stroke engine with a Yuneec Power Drive 20 20 kW / 27 hp electric motor and two 28 lb (13 kg) Lithium polymer battery packs which provide a 40-minute endurance.

e-Spyder

The E-Spyder, a single seat electric powered aircraft featuring the PowerDrive 24 propulsion system integrating the Motor, Motor Controller, 75 Volt Battery, and Charger, received the world’s first type certification for an electric aircraft from Deutschen Ultraleichtflugverbandes (DULV) E.V in 2013.

Yuneec International created GreenWing International to further develop and market their GW280 (eSypder) and GW430 (e430) airplanes. GreenWing International went out of business in about 2014.

GreenWing International had announced the release of its first 50 eSpyder single-seat electric planes, which were to be sold as build-it-yourself kits for for under US$40,000. The company was to ship 25 eSpyders in the United States at a cost of US$39,990. Another 25 were to be sold in Europe for €34,990 each.

Power: PowerDrive 24, 24 kW / 32 hp
Battery: 75 Volt, 13-kWh lithium
Wingspan: 10.1 m / 33.1 ft
Length: 5.9 m / 19.4 ft
Height: 2.4 m / 7.9 ft
Empty weight: 186 kg / 410 lb
Max cruise: 68 mph / 109 km/h
Economy cruise: 38 mph / 61 km/h
Standard flight time: 60 – 90 min
Battery recharging: 2 – 3 hr

Yuneec International

Founded in Hong Kong in 1999, Yuneec International Co. Ltd. became a leader in electric aviation.

With hundreds of patents filed, Yuneec’s core technologies power its manned aircraft as well as its drones and its line of radio controlled aircraft for the hobby market.

The company was constructing a 260,000 square foot (25,000 sq m) factory to produce the E430 aircraft in Shanghai that was expected to open in October 2009.

In 2009 the rights, tooling and parts inventory of Flightstar Sportplanes of South Woodstock, Connecticut, were sold to Yuneec International of China when Flightstar Sportplanes’ business was wound up.