Zodiac Roland 601 D

The Zodiac 601 D is the original type in Roland's low-wing family and the direct ancestor of today's Z-602. It is covered by DAeC data sheet 61144 (issue 12 of 4 August 2015) as type "Zodiac", series "601-D", with Roland Aircraft as manufacturer and Roland Hauke in Mendig as type support holder. Its roots are with kit manufacturer Zenair and the designs of Canadian engineer Chris Heintz: Roland Aircraft initially bought kits from the USA and modified them from the start – fliegermagazin 7/2021 recalls flying "the CH 601 DX twenty years ago", when the company was still based at Neuhausen ob Eck.

The 601 D is a cantilever all-metal low-wing aircraft in sheet aluminium with a cruciform tail, two side-by-side seats, nosewheel or tailwheel gear and a tractor propeller. Compared with the later Z 602 XL it is smaller and simpler: 8.20 m span over 12.0 m² of wing area, 5.68 m length and a single 60 litre fuselage tank instead of two 65 litre wing tanks. Closely related is the DX series (data sheet 61144.1), which already carries the larger Z-602 dimensions of 8.23 m span, 12.5 m² and 6.0 m length.

Certified figures: VNE 243 km/h, 200 km/h at maximum power, 203 km/h in severe turbulence, 150 km/h manoeuvring speed, 64 km/h minimum speed and split flaps to 45 degrees with a 105 km/h limit. The data sheet quotes no cruise speed at all – the 200 km/h figure applies at maximum power and is well above what makes sense for cruising. Approved engines are the Rotax 912 UL and the Rotax 912 S/ULS, together with five different propellers producing noise levels between 58.0 and 59.9 dB(A). With the 912 S/ULS a TOST E 85 glider tow hook is available here too – 300 daN weak link, towed aircraft up to 650 kg. Maximum takeoff mass is 450 kg, or 472.5 kg with a rescue system, the increase having been introduced by a Roland Aircraft technical bulletin to all Zodiac owners in June 2005.

Strengths are the affordable way into a fast all-metal ultralight, the simple riveted structure, ongoing type support from a manufacturer that is still active, and speed that remains respectable for the aircraft's age. The weaknesses come with those years: the data sheet gives empty weight only per the individual weighing report, there are no certified figures at all for height, climb rate, range or takeoff distance, and with 60 litres of fuel and 472.5 kg MTOM usable payload is tighter than on the newer series. Uprating to 600 kg is not available for this type – that route runs exclusively through the Z-602-600.

The 601 D suits pilots looking for an affordable, quick metal ultralight for circuits and moderate cross-country flying, who are comfortable with an older type backed by clean paperwork. Anyone wanting full tanks, two people and luggage legally aboard is better served by the Z-602 or the 600 kg version. Roland listings on ul-flugzeugmarkt.de span €33,000 to €99,000, with the early Zodiac aircraft forming the lower end.