Insight Gained from Flying an AMD Zodiac All Around Florida!
Click on any image to see a larger picture.
Delivery Day of Zodiac N183AM
183AM Outside the Hangar
This aircraft is a commercially manufactured version of a plane that has been popular in kit form for decades. Hundreds of them are flying. It is known as a Zodiac HC601XL.
In this version it is powered by a well-proven Continental 0-200 engine. The aircraft can carry two people with a full fuel load. It isn't rated for aerobatics, but it is well known as being very sturdy. It cruises at a maximum comfortable speed of about 130 MPH. It can fly for as much as four hours with a good fuel reserve.... although this pilot probably wants to get out and move around before that!
It was manufactured by AMD in Georgia, USA. See their Website at www.newplane.com
My airport, KMTH in Marathon, Florida is a great place to fly, but the airplane washing spot sucks. I researched ways to wash the airplane without water and I am in love with Dri Wash 'n Guard. The airplane has to be dry, but it can be loaded with crud and Dri Wash 'n Guard will make it look super. Yes, you go through a lot of rags, but they're cheap. <-- The stuff on the left is what you want if your airplane (or car or boat) has a new paint job. It has the right chemistry for new paint. This is what I use on my Zodiac HC601XL. The stuff on the right is what you want for older paint jobs (before 2000 or so). This is what I used on my Grumman. Highly Recommended!
The "Glass Cockpit" is clean and easy to use.
The panel of this Zodiac features a Dynon Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) that combines flight instruments with engine instruments. The large attitude indicator is flanked by airspeed and altitude tapes. The engine insturments include EGT, CHT, and fuel computer. This aircraft is also equipped with an angle of attack indicator, something not found on most private aircraft.
On the right are icons leading you to three movies I made at the AMD plant in Eastman, GA. These film clips show 601s in production and might be useful to homebuilders who want to see how AMD is implementing the design.
