The Experimental Aircraft Association has gone on record urging operators of Zodiac CH601 and CH650 light sport aircraft (LSAs) not to fly their aircraft. Five in-flight breakups have led to concern for the design’s overall safety, including the areas of stick force, airspeed calibration, structural stability, wing structure and flutter. In a special review of the type, the FAA expressed concern in these areas, and Zenith Aircraft Company (zenithair.com) is preparing a combination safety directive and safety alert. EAA has urged operators of the affected models to voluntarily ground their aircraft until they are updated in accordance to the yet-to-be-released edict from Zenith.
As for Low and Slow Being Safer?
By
Mark Phelps
Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.