Zenair’s trademark aluminum floats designed by Chris Heintz were first introduced in the mid 1980s with the remarkably strong yet lightweight #550 ultralight floats that weighed just 18 pounds each. These float sets were offered as kits or as ready-to-install fully assembled pontoons; they were popular with owners of true ultalights who appreciated their good looks and excellent handling characteristics, including the ability to carry more than their own weight is straight-and-level flight. Soon, #750 floats were introduced for two-place ultralights, then #950 and #1150 for light recreational aircraft. Amphibious designs followed shortly thereafter.

Zenair introduced a  new series of #1600 and #1900 straight floats  in the early 1990's, which were sold as kits.

The production of Zenair Floats was moved from Canada to the Europe in the mid-nineties and most popular float sizes were manufactured there for the next ten years. In 2009, manufacturing once again returned to the Zenair factory in Midland, Ontario. Float flyers can now expect faster service, lower shipping costs, and the use of standard North American hardware throughout. The superior design of the well-known Zenair Floats™ has just gotten better!

A floatplane is the definitive way to bring FUN back to recreational flying. Float flying adds a completely new perspective to aviation - with exciting new challenges and peaceful, quiet interludes on the water.

Today, Zenair Floats are installed on a wide variety of aircraft designs. Complete rigging kits are available from Zenair to mount the floats to any Zenair aircraft model; basic elements such as stream-lined spreader-bars and fittings are also available to configure the floats on other brands of light sport aircraft. Always contact your aircraft designer or manufacturer for specific mounting advice or instructions.