AMD NEWS

July 9, 2007

To Flying Magazine

To the editor:

" I read with great interest Richard L. Collins’ “On Top” article about light sport aircraft.  He featured the Zodiac XL, a AMD factory built airplane.  I picked up N807HA, serial number 29 from that factory, on 3/4/07, and flew it home to Virginia from Eastman, GA.  It is the instrument certified version, Zodiac XLi, with the standard Continental 0-200 engine and Sensenich propeller.  In my search for a light sport that could be IFR certified, I quickly discovered that most, if not all, other models had non-certified engines and propellers, and lightning protection was an issue for composites.  As soon as I saw on AMD’s website, www.newplane.com, that they had accomplished IFR certification, I ordered mine.  After over 40 hours, I can report I am delighted with the airplane and the people at AMD! "  Howard Anderson

AMD Staff.....“IFR, N807HA, CH60/G” - "This is from the first three boxes on my flight plan 3/4/07 leaving EZM to take my new Zodiac XLi home to Virginia.  What a great airplane!  The Garmin stack and the auto pilot worked flawlessly!  The first leg into RCZ, Rockingham/ Richmond County, NC was flown at 5,000’, and for most of the 2.2 hour flight hands off watching the auto pilot do its thing.  The other leg to FVX, Farmville, VA, took 1.7 hours in continuous moderate to occasional severe turbulence.  N807HA handled it fine, very responsive to corrections.  Other than a huge helicopter, I think my Zodiac may have been the only plane to land at FVX that day after the direct crosswinds got up.  My trip from Heart of Georgia to Heart of Virginia was a wonderful adventure in a well designed and professionally built airplane.  The beautiful plane drew a large crowd in the cold winds at the fuel pumps before I put it in a hangar between two jets.  The jet pilot who offered me the hangar space was obviously impressed and seemed to be envious of my panel.  Thanks, AMD (John, Garry, Terry, & Nancy)!"

To John Degonia and staff at AMD:
"I would like to take a moment to express my thanks for a job well done on the production of my AMD Zodiac CH 601 XL Special Light Sports aircraft. I've had the opportunity to fly a number of larger aircraft in the past and I was impressed with how well the Zodiac flew in comparison. The color scheme and panel presentation is first class and the aircraft proved its excellent flight stability on a rather windy trip home to South Carolina. Although at this point in time I have only made a few flights in the aircraft I feel very comfortable with the response of the controls and I have no reservations about making cross country trips of several hundred miles.  The canopy view is quite outstanding offering the pilot a 360 degree scan of the sky making it easier to identify other aircraft in the vicinity. The power of the Continental O-200 engine is sufficient to ensure a steady climb rate in most atmospheric conditions and there is ample power to make altitude and speed adjustments as required. The automatic trim is a nice feature and the plane trimmed out quite well. I am also very happy with the comfort of the cabin.

At 6'2" and 210 pounds I was a little concerned about comfort, but with a 44 inch cabin I did not have any trouble adjusting to the side by side seating configuration and managing the controls. I think the Zodiac is a very well thought out design for the Special Light Sports Aircraft market and it truly feels like you are flying an airplane that you can trust. Thanks again to AMD for all the pride and workmanship displayed in the production of N601KF". Kevin.

Hi John,

Thought I would share some information with you we just learned today.  As you know, we had some reservations as to the legal status of the Garmin 430 and the use of the GPS in the IFR environment.  Norman Hignite had contacted our local FSDO quite some time ago, and he finally got a return call just within the last week or so.  Norman explained our situation with the Zodiac S-LSA CH601 XLi having the Garmin GNS 430 and our concern over it being an FAA acceptable installation and ok for use as primary navigation (GPS) in the IFR environment.  Norman directed the FSDO tech. guy to your web site, where he could see a picture of our panel, and took the liberty of sharing the letter you supplied to us for the POH.  He call Norman back today to inform him, the installation is perfectly legal……...Interestingly, the FAA guy also asked if we had an auto pilot in the aircraft. Norman gave him the make and model of our A/P and he didn't take any exception to it.  Our interpretation, it's ok to use when flying IFR!  Again I thought you might find all this interesting, and good to know for other Zodiac CH 601 XLi GNS 430 installations, as well as the need for a separate OBS receiver head for the SL 30 if it is to be used for primary IFR navigation. 

By the way, if I didn't already tell you the Bogi-Bar Tow bar from Bogert International works great! 

I saw the picture on you web site of the Zodiac that copied our paint scheme, good looking plane!  I must admit his tail number broke my heart "601GH", not that I ever will be able to afford my very own Zodiac.

Best Regards,

Greg Halderman, Dayton Pilots Club, up in Ohio

Wow, N601GH - has a nice ring to it!

"I took delivery of my Zodiac in September 2006. This is the easiest aircraft I've ever learned to fly since I received my license in 1979. AMD's service has been nothing short of perfect. My Zodiac has given new life to my flying and has allowed me to share my passion with my sons. I did a lot of research into the different SLSA's and found that the Zodiac was the least expensive to insure and operate. Keep up the good work!!" "Sincerely, Phillip Stacy, N602BS

"I want to let all of you ( Mathieu, John, Garry, Terry and Nancy) know how much I appreciate the quality effort you put into my Zodiac XL. I am totally delighted with the airplane! From the demo flight with John I knew it would handle well but I was quite surprised to witness the high quality workmanship in the my finished product and the cooperation in tailoring to my specific preferences (black panel)" Ted Haller (N620TH).

"I accepted delivery of my new Zodiac XL SLSA on 11/01/06.  I was more than pleased with the color scheme, workmanship and flying quality.  I have flown F-86, F-100 jet fighters, Comanchies, Skyhawks, Taylorcraft, Aeronica Champs, J-3 Cubs, RV-4 and RV-8 but the Zodiac is the most stable of any I have flown.  It is virtually impossible to get the Zodiac into an unsafe situation.  the paint and decal work are better than any I have seen recently, the AMD staff was very helpful in deciding on a color scheme.  Pride in workmanship is evident from every AMD employee.  I was very pleased with all the employees offering to help with explanations on construction details.   I looked at many Light Sport airplanes at Sun and Fun this year but none could compare with the Zodiac on price and quality.  I was excited to get back home to Sanford, N.C. so I could show off my sporty looking "Yellow Bird".