Questions and Answers
What is the relationship between Zenair Ltd. and Zenith Aircraft Co.?
Zenair Ltd. in Canada is the original Chris Heintz company, started in 1974 and now managed by Michael, Nicolas and Matt Heintz. Zenith Aircraft Co. (ZAC) in the USA was started in 1992 and is managed today by Sebastien Heintz, as a separate and independent company. Both Zenair Ltd. and Zenith Aircraft Co. manufacture and sell the Chris Heintz designs and both have separate agreements with Chris Heintz to do so.
Where should I order parts for my Chris Heintz design?
Zenair stocks most parts for the following airframes: CH 750, 650, 801, 640 and CH2000. Zenair does not stock any parts for the STOL CH 701.
Zenair does not manufacture all parts for all Chris Heintz designs. For parts that are manufactured by Zenith Aircraft in the USA, Zenair can order the parts from ZAC for you. For shipping, Zenair typically pools together numerous orders for one large shipment from Zenith to Zenair. If your parts are included in this shipment there is typically no crating or shipping costs. If you want parts immediately, Zenith Aircraft can ship directly to you, but crating and shipping costs will be added to your order.
If you have a CH 701, a Zodiac or floats that were manufactured in the Czech Republic and you need replacement parts, it is possible that the parts manufactured by Zenair will not fit. You may have to get your parts custom made.
See HERE for additional information.
Zenair does not manufacture all parts for all Chris Heintz designs. For parts that are manufactured by Zenith Aircraft in the USA, Zenair can order the parts from ZAC for you. For shipping, Zenair typically pools together numerous orders for one large shipment from Zenith to Zenair. If your parts are included in this shipment there is typically no crating or shipping costs. If you want parts immediately, Zenith Aircraft can ship directly to you, but crating and shipping costs will be added to your order.
If you have a CH 701, a Zodiac or floats that were manufactured in the Czech Republic and you need replacement parts, it is possible that the parts manufactured by Zenair will not fit. You may have to get your parts custom made.
See HERE for additional information.
I live in Canada and want to start on a STOL 750 kit. Who do I contact?
Contact Zenair Ltd. at 705-526-2871. Zenair will first send you a quote. Once you are ready to purchase the kit, a 50% deposit is required to lock-in a production/delivery slot. You can then pick-up the kit at Zenair's facilities in Midland ON Canada - or it can be crated and shipped to you.
As a Canadian owner, should I register my CH 750 (or CH 650B) as "Amateur Built" or as an "Advanced Ultralight"?
It's up to you. For more information please see "Advanced Ultralight" (AULA) - Canada only. In order for Zenair to issue a Statement Of Compliance (SOC), you will need to work with & register your project with an MD-RA and you will have to pass a pre-closing inspection. Please see "Advanced Ultralight" (AULA) - Canada only for more important information on this.
I purchased a CH 750 kit from Zenith Aircraft in the USA and I want to install the Rotax 912ULS engine. Whom do I order the Firewall Forward kit (FWF) from?
All 912ULS Firewall Forward kits are prepared by Zenair Ltd. Order your FWF from Zenith Aircraft and Zenair will ship it to Zenith Aircraft for pick-up or forwarding. For installation documentation and customer assistance, you can contact either Zenith or Zenair. Zenair.com has a password protected web page with PDF's of the installation manuals. If you are a Zenair builder, you may contact Zenair for the password (valid serial number required)...
I live in Europe and want to order a kit. Whom do I contact?
In Europe, we have many regional Zenair representatives. Contact the one nearest you. See the Zenair Europe website for a listing of the European dealers. For Parts and accessories (for maintenance and repairs, you can contact ULM Technologie in Valenciennes, FR - they have a significant inventory of genuine Zenair parts in stock.
While Zenair and Zenith Aircraft Co. may sell kits anywhere in the world, they do not offer customer service or tech-support to builders/owners who live in areas served by a regional Zenair distributor. It is therefore highly recommended you work closely with your local representative, especially if you count on receiving tech-support.
While Zenair and Zenith Aircraft Co. may sell kits anywhere in the world, they do not offer customer service or tech-support to builders/owners who live in areas served by a regional Zenair distributor. It is therefore highly recommended you work closely with your local representative, especially if you count on receiving tech-support.
Are the airframe drawings the same when buying from Zenair or from Zenith?
Yes. Zenith has the latest updates so all drawings are printed at Zenith. Customers buying a kit from Zenair or from a regional distributor will have their drawings shipped from Zenith. Zenith supplies a builder number; this number is also the aircraft's serial number when registering the aircraft. Once you have your assigned builder number, you will be able to log into www.zenith.aero, where you can interact with other builders, etc. You will also be able to log into the more technical builder-restricted areas for drawing updates, etc.
Note: In order to receive the drawings from Zenith Aircraft Co., you will need to complete and sign a "Conditions of Sale and Warning" form (CoSW). This document outlines the terms and conditions for use of the drawings and it reminds customers of the inherit risks of building and flying an aeroplane. It also sets forth buyer/seller responsibilities and acts as a waiver of liability to protect both parties.
Click this link to download a copy of this CoSW form for Zenith Aircraft Co.: ZAC CoSW & Waiver
Click this link to download a copy of this CoSW form for Zenair Ltd.: Zenair CoSW & Waiver
Note: In order to receive the drawings from Zenith Aircraft Co., you will need to complete and sign a "Conditions of Sale and Warning" form (CoSW). This document outlines the terms and conditions for use of the drawings and it reminds customers of the inherit risks of building and flying an aeroplane. It also sets forth buyer/seller responsibilities and acts as a waiver of liability to protect both parties.
Click this link to download a copy of this CoSW form for Zenith Aircraft Co.: ZAC CoSW & Waiver
Click this link to download a copy of this CoSW form for Zenair Ltd.: Zenair CoSW & Waiver
In Canada, can I hire someone to assemble my amateur-built aircraft kit?
Yes, and no. Under Canadian law (CARS Subsection 507.03 (b) and Section 549.01) a kit builder is allowed:
“to contract for professional assistance in the construction or assembly of parts of the aircraft - provided the work is subject to the builder’s overall control…”
This regulation preempts earlier legislation requiring all kit builders to assemble 51% of the kit themselves (still required of U.S. builders, see FAA regulations). Builders may now contract professional assistance for up to 100% of assembly - provided they control the overall build.
“to contract for professional assistance in the construction or assembly of parts of the aircraft - provided the work is subject to the builder’s overall control…”
This regulation preempts earlier legislation requiring all kit builders to assemble 51% of the kit themselves (still required of U.S. builders, see FAA regulations). Builders may now contract professional assistance for up to 100% of assembly - provided they control the overall build.
More to come...
