Zenith Aircraft considers the Yuma an unauthorized copy of the Zenith STOL CH 701.[3] The World Directory of Light Aviation describes it as being inspired by the CH 701.[2]
The aircraft was designed to comply with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules. It features STOL performance, a strut-braced high-wing, a two-seats-in-side-by-side configuration enclosed cockpit, fixed tricycle landing gear and a single engine in tractor configuration.[2]
The Yuma's fuselage is made from welded steel tubing, covered in aluminium sheet and the tail surfaces covered in doped aircraft fabric. The wing is all-aluminium, with its leading edge slats made from carbon fibre. Its 9.751NaN1 span wing employs V-struts, jury struts and flaps. Standard engines available are the 800NaN0 Rotax 912UL, the 1000NaN0 Rotax 912ULS and the 1150NaN0 Rotax 914 turbo-charged four-stroke powerplant.[2]