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KITPLANES magazine (February 2026 issue) features Carson Stilson's (aka Wairworthy) incredible Zenith STOL CH 750 Super Duty that he built from a kit.

Titled A New Generation of Kits and Builders, the cover story explains how "Carson is widely recognized for documenting the build [on social media]... with over 150 million views. His passion is backcountry aviation. His work continues to inspire the next generation of pilots and aircraft builders."

Written by Carson, the cover spread explains why he chose to build a STOL CH 750 Super Duty: "The larger landing gear, increased useful load and rear seat give it real backcountry credibility. It has performance that rivals any Cub on the market at a fraction of the cost of a comparable new build."

The cover article details how the Zenith STOL CH 750 Super Duty is a truly modern kit, featuring final hole size match-drilled technology, and how "this translates into hundreds or even thousands of hours saved. I constantly joked that my airplane was a grown man's Lego set. As a husband and father of two young children, I could not afford long daily shop sessions. Reducing total build time was the only way this project was feasible during one of the busiest seasons of my life." 

During the build, Carson documented the entire process of building his Zenith kit, and shared his experience with millions of viewers: "I had unintentionally captured the attention of not only pilots, but people who had never heard of experimental aviation. Traditionally, aircraft building is a solitary pursuit. My experience was the opposite. Every rivet, every hole, and every mistake was shared publicly. Millions of viewers scrutinized each step."

"We topped out at over 150 million views and 1.2 million followers... easily making it the most viewed kitplane build project in history. The response was amazing, but it didn't distract me from my original goal: crafting the ultimate backcountry machine.

"On July 4, 2025, the airplane I built flew for the first time. A few weeks later, I flew it halfway across the country to Oshkosh AirVenture, marking a beautiful end to what would be the most impactful 2.5 years and 1200 hours of my life.

"At AirVenture, I was struck by how many kids, some younger than 10, approached me to say they had followed the project and wanted to build an airplane themselves. I quickly realized this would not be the end of my time as an aircraft builder. If I can inspire the younger generation to build their own wings, I have to keep going."

"How do you follow up building your dream airplane? You build an airplane to give away. I built what is perhaps the most expensive Zenith ever. This time, I'm going to show them how I can build one for $50,000. It'll be tough but I think it'll captivate even more people to consider building their own plane. I can't wait to see how it turns out."

Carson has now started building a budget STOL CH 701 "Sky Jeep" light sport kit airplane, with the goal of keeping it as affordable as possible, and to give it away to one of his lucky followers:

"Aviation is too expensive. That is, until you meet this airplane. This is the Zenith STOL CH 701. It's an incredibly capable and affordable aircraft. This airplane can takeoff and land in less than 100 feet, making it completely possible to do backcountry flying."

"It's the little brother to my airplane (STOL CH 750 Super Duty)... the plane is incredible. It's easy and super fun to fly and it has extremely low operating costs, like $25 - $30 an hour. And the real kicker is that Zenith recently updated this kit to a CNC match hole drilled kit."

"I'm going to show you, step by step, how to build an airplane like this on a budget, and then once we're done I'm going to fly it around and prove that it's a safe and reliable aircraft and then give it away to one of you... Follow my page to see me bring one of these to life."

"Whether you follow along for the adventure, the chance to win an airplane, or to tell me I used the wrong rivets, I hope these projects inspire others to see what is possible. Kitplanes are key to the future of general aviation, and I intend to make that future visible."

You too can get a head start in building your own airplane in 2026 by participating at an upcoming hands-on workshop class to learn all about the skills and tools needed to build your own. Zenith invites you to experience the excitement of building your own airplane at one of our monthly hands-on workshops, held at our kit aircraft factory in central Missouri or at select locations (see below). These workshops give you the chance to learn the skills and tools needed to build your own aircraft while constructing your very own rudder tail section for one of Zenith’s popular designs, such as the high-wing Zenith CH 750 series or the sleek low-wing Zenith CH 650 cruiser.

The workshop experience at the Zenith factory also includes a factory tour and demo flight, with participants "graduating" from the workshop upon completing construction of their own rudder tail section for one of Zenith Aircraft Company's popular kit aircraft designs. Make plans now to join us at an upcoming factory workshop, as well as the following two offsite locations:

• February 19 & 20 - Zenith kit aircraft factory in central Missouri
• Yuma, Arizona: February 28 - March 1st, Somerton Airport (54AZ), Arizona
• Southwest Texas: March 6 & 7 - Zenith workshops are back in Boerne, Texas

As previously announced, Zenith Aircraft Company is taking its popular hands-on kit aircraft building workshop on the road to Yuma, Arizona, in end-February. The two-day workshop will be held Saturday, February 28th and Sunday, March 1st, 2026, at the Somerton Airport (54AZ), in Arizona (just south of Yuma). 

The hands-on workshop class will start on Saturday morning, February 28th, inside a large private hangar at the Somerton airport and will conclude the following day. Also on Sunday, March 1st, local organizers and Zenith will host an informal regional fly-in gathering for Zenith aircraft owners, flyers and enthusiasts. “We already have an active community of Zenith aircraft builders and pilots spread throughout Southwest Arizona and southern California,” said Sebastien Heintz, Zenith Aircraft’s president. “We look forward to seeing many of them and their flying Zenith projects.”

Zenith builder Larry Nelson will be the local contact and host, and will be welcoming workshop participants and Zenith enthusiasts to his hangar for the event: “We look forward to having a Zenith workshop in Arizona. Already, we have a handful of active Zenith projects under construction and in the air and we look forward to welcoming new area Zenith builders and flyers with true Southwest hospitality. There are a number of local hotels near the airport. The closest is the Cocopah Casino and Resort, less than 2 miles from the airport. Dry camping will also be available.”

All Zeniths are invited to fly-in for the activities, and enthusiasts and current builders are invited to drive in or fly in to attend on Sunday, March 1st. Demonstrator kit-built Zenith aircraft will be available for demo flights.

The following week in early March, Zenith Aircraft will be returning to Texas to host its popular hands-on kit aircraft building workshop class, combined with a regional Zenith fly-in and informal builder gathering. The two-day workshop will be held March 6th and 7th at Boerne Stage Airfield (5C1) just north of San Antonio. Zenith Aircraft staff will lead the workshop class, and Zenith builders, pilots, and enthusiasts are invited to attend and participate at an informal Saturday Zenith fly-in gathering at Boerne Stage Airfield, with a program of informal seminars. All Zeniths are invited to fly in for the day’s activities, and Zenith enthusiasts and current builders are invited to drive in or fly in to attend.

The Zenith hands-on workshop classes are aimed primarily at the first-time airplane builder. Each workshop participant builds and assembles their own Zenith aircraft rudder tail section from a standard Zenith kit, usually completed at the end of the first day (or the following morning). Participating at a workshop is an excellent way to learn about building your own kit aircraft, and to learn out the many advantages of owning and flying an airplane that you’ve built yourself. For many, building an aircraft (from a kit) is a very rewarding experience, and today’s modern kits make it easier and quicker to build than ever before.

Standard workshop fees are just $375.00 (or $425 for the CH 750 Super Duty model) and include the complete rudder kit for a Zenith aircraft. Additional helpers (spouse or other family members) are encouraged to attend and can participate for free. Prior registration is required for the rudder workshop classes and class size is limited.

Check out this beautiful photo, also from the February 2026 issue of KITPLANES magazine. In his 20th installment article on building a custom Zenith STOL CH 750 Super Duty "750SDXtreme" builder/pilot Jon Humberd shared this stunning photo he took flying a Zenith STOL CH 701, powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912ULS engine, 1,500 miles from western Colorado "across part of the majestic and unforgiving Rocky Mountains, to its new home in eastern Tennessee."

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