FAA Suspends New Zodiac Certifications

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The FAA has mandated that new airworthiness certificates for Zodiac series aircraft will only be issued upon proof of extensive modifications designed by Zenith.
  • Material kits for these modifications for Experimental/Amateur-Built versions are expected to be available soon.
  • Both Zenith and the FAA recommend a voluntary grounding of unmodified Zodiac aircraft, clarifying that the FAA has not issued a unilateral grounding.
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The ongoing saga of the Zodiac series took a new turn Thursday, November 12, as the FAA advised Designated Airworthiness Representatives that they could not issue new airworthiness certificates until the applicants could prove the aircraft had undergone modification. An extensive set of modifications designed by Zenith has been announced, and the materials kits for Experimental/Amateur-Built versions should be available soon.

Until these aircraft can be modified, both Zenith and the FAA have recommended a voluntary grounding of the aircraft. Reports in other media that the FAA has unilaterally grounded the aircraft appear to be incorrect.

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