The Jihlavan JA-600 Skyleader 600 is a Czech-designed, two-seat all-metal low-wing aircraft categorized as an ultralight or light-sport aircraft (LSA). The design is the work of Prof. Ing. Antonín Píštěk, CSc., an experienced aviation engineer and former chief designer of the L 410 UVP and L 610 transport aircraft at LET Kunovice. The JA-600 evolved from a lineage that includes the KP-2U Sova and the KP-5 Rapid 500, the latter of which received FAA approval in July 2005.
Production of the Skyleader 600 line began in the Czech Republic around 2006 under the Jihlavan Airplanes and Skyleader branding. The aircraft's retractable-gear (RG) variant achieved its first flight in 2010. Manufacturing has expanded through international licensing agreements; in July 2015, ACS (Aircraft Construction Service) began producing the model at the TEREM-Letets factory in Sofia, Bulgaria. More recently, Airplanes Africa Limited (AAL) established local assembly in Tanzania at Morogoro Airport, unveiling the first locally assembled unit at TIMEXPO 2023 in October. By September 2024, the first three Tanzanian-made aircraft entered operation, marking a milestone as the country's first locally assembled aircraft.
Technically, the JA-600 is characterized by its all-metal construction using thin duralumin plates and blind rivets. It features a trapezoidal wing with blended winglets and electrically actuated Fowler flaps to ensure low stall speeds. The aircraft is powered by Rotax 912-series four-stroke piston engines, typically ranging from 80 hp (912 UL) to 115 hp (turbocharged 914 UL), often paired with a DUC three-blade ground-adjustable propeller. For safety, approximately 95% of these aircraft are equipped with a Galaxy GRS ballistic parachute recovery system.
In terms of performance, the Skyleader 600 is designed for efficiency and comfort, featuring one of the largest LSA cabins with a width of 1.28 meters. It has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of up to 600 kg and a cruise speed of approximately 108 to 122 knots at 75% power. Its range is estimated between 860 and 1,000+ nautical miles, supported by integral fuel tanks with capacities up to 120 liters. While the exact production number for the 600 model is unknown, the broader Skyleader series has seen over 400 units sold worldwide.