Zenith Aircraft/Zenair

[flateric]

"Here's the updated Chris Heintz (CH) design history timeline. While Chris is now happily retired, his legacy lives on strongly. In 2020, Zenith Aircraft / Zenair was the number one light sport aircraft brand in the United States (based on actual FAA registrations) and Heintz designs have also long been popular around the world."

https://www.facebook.com/193131117369264/posts/4511619792187020

View: https://www.facebook.com/193131117369264/posts/4511619792187020/?sfnsn=scwspmo

 

[fortrena]

The following may be of interest. It shows Mr. Heintz at the controls of his first machine, the Zenith (c/n 01).

 

[riggerrob]

Chris Heintz was Swiss, but educated in Strassbourg ... when Strassbourg was under French control. Chris worked on the Concorde, then for Avions Pierre Robin. While at Robin, he designed some all-metal, low-wing sport airplanes that shared the basic out lines of his later Zenith line of kits. After Robin, Heintz moved to Ontario, Canada and set up a factory near Toronto.
Later, Zenith opened a factory in Mexico, Missouri, which is now managed by his son.
I have met Chris a couple of times. The first time he came all the way to speak to our EAA chapter in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Then I met him again at Oshkosh.
Odd how you say that Zenith is the most popular kitplane in the USA. RV tries to make the same claim. Either way, it is clear that homebuilders prefer pre-cut, pre-punched, pre-bent sheet metal that is held together by rivets.
I have flown in a buddy's Zenith 601 a couple of times and found it more comfortable, with better visibility than any Cessna or Piper or Grumman-American light single.

 

[fortrena]

This very sad news report may be of interest.

Zenair Founder Chris Heintz Dies - AVweb

One of general aviation’s most prolific aircraft designers and a pioneer of the modern homebuilt movement, Zenair founder Chris Heintz died at his home in France on April 30. He was 82. In his more than 40 years as the head of Zenair, Heintz designed at least 12 aircraft that became acclaimed...

www.avweb.com