The first Zigolo in China is now finished and was introduced to the public on 17 July at the Jingmen Airshow. The Zigolo was supplied in kit form by Aeromarine LSA (Lakeland, Florida) and built in only 3 weeks by Chip W. Erwin.

Concurrently a Zigolo assembly facility was established in the AVIC R&D center in Jingmen to supply the Chinese market with Ready-to-Fly (RTF) Zigolos.

“The Chinese have been shipping thousands of RTF RC model aircraft to the USA. Now they will have the capability to build a man-carrying light aircraft for their own market,” said Chip Erwin, Zigolo president. He noted that the technology and design gap between large RC aircraft and this ultralight motor-glider is small; with the coming electric-powered version of the Zigolo, the gap narrows further. He continued, “The Zigolo is similar to what they already build, just on a larger scale.”

The Chinese CAAC recognizes the FAA Part 103 rule, which means that Chinese customers can actually fly legally and fly now in China, something that has not been so easy in LSA or other GA aircraft to date.

The Zigolo is already available in kit form; typical build time is about 150 hours. Delivery positions are now available for the RTF version; first deliveries are planned for later this year.

Both electric and gas–powered Zigolo ultralights will be on display and in the air at Airventure Oshkosh 2014.

See the Zigolo in the ultralight area, booth 939. An Oshkosh show special for new orders will be offered.