In October 1968, the French aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, who worked for Avions Pierre Robin, started work on the design of a two-seat all-metal light aircraft suitable for amateur construction, the Zenith, with the prototype making its maiden flight on 22 March 1970.

[1] Heintz migrated to Canada in 1973,[2] and set up Zenair in 1974 to sell plans and kits of the Zénith.

[4] The first Zenith to be built in North America flew in October 1975, and by 1976, over 300 plans had been sold.

[6] At the 1976 EAA Convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin the factory used volunteer labour to build and fly a CH 200 in eight days, using 550 person-hours.

[7][8] Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982-83[4]General characteristics Performance Related development