Highlights from Oshkosh AirVenture 2025 | | |
FAA Finalizes MOSAIC, Ushering in New Era for Sport Aviation
Announced at Oshkosh, the FAA's long-awaited final rule for MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) brings sweeping changes to sport and recreational aviation. The new rule significantly updates the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category and Sport Pilot privileges, and modernizes sport and recreational aviation by expanding the types (and sizes) of aircraft available. Major changes include removing the weight limit for LSAs and allowing for higher speeds.
In anticipation of expanded sport pilot and light-sport aircraft (LSA) rules, Zenith Aircraft offers the STOL CH 750 Super Duty, a larger version of its best-selling two-seat STOL CH 750, with higher gross weight and the addition of a rear jump seat. The popular CH 750 Cruzer and the STOL CH 750 were engineered with design gross weight limits 120 lbs. higher than the current LSA limit of 1,320 lbs., giving sport pilots more capable aircraft at 1,440 lbs.
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Heintz notes that “ongoing investments in manufacturing technology have allowed Zenith to offer final-hole size, match-drilled parts and components in our aircraft kits, something we’ve offered our customers for several years now. This translates to significant manufacturing efficiencies for factory-assembled aircraft, with the potential to make it cost-effective to offer factory-assembled and finished aircraft.” MOSAIC presents significant opportunities for growth in the general and sport aviation industries, and Zenith Aircraft Company, with its full lineup of proven designs from Chris Heintz and leading-edge manufacturing, is well positioned for the new rule.
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Social media phenom Carson Stilson flew his Zenith STOL CH 750 Super Duty that he just recently completed from the west coast to Oshkosh, where it was on display all week at the Lycoming Engines booth, attracting crowds of admirers wanting to see the airplane and meet its builder and pilot. | On his way to Oshkosh, flying his recently completed STOL CH 750 Super Duty, Carson noted: "The plane flies faster than I was expecting, stalls slower than I was expecting, and feels so comfortable. Also, there really isn't another bushplane with a view like this. All for one third of the cost of a new Cub." | | | | Jonathan Fay flew his Viking-powered "Big Tire" Zenith CH 750 Cruzer (above) to Oshkosh from Anacortes, Washington, flying 1,574 NM cross-country: "It’s been quite a journey and I am so glad I picked Zenith, Viking and Dynon to invest in for this airplane." | | Flying to Oshkosh from the opposite coast, Steve S. flew his STOL CH 750 from Beaufort, South Carolina. Steve S., an airline captain, says: "2,000 miles of no auto-pilot flying in a great Zenith Aircraft homebuilt airplane powered by an amazing Honda 175-hp auto conversion engine from Viking Aircraft Engines and a last minute STOL competition thrown in as icing on the cake. Thanks to everyone for the support and help! Now it’s time to mow the lawn..." | | Additionally, there were several dozen Zeniths on the AirVenture Oshkosh grounds. | | The Zenith booth in the North Aircraft display area was busy all week showcasing the latest from Zenith, and was also the site of the well-attended "Happy Hour" before the Wednesday night airshow, sponsored by Viking Aircraft Engines. Zenith staff enjoyed meeting with new and existing Zenith builders and flyers at Oshkosh AirVenture, including a great gathering of Zenith builders and flyers at the annual Zenith Builders Banquet. | | Zenith staff demonstrated the ease of assembly of its new kits, supplied ready-to-assemble right out of the box (with final hole size match-drilled parts for maximum ease of assembly). Led by Calvin Heintz in the EAA AeroPlane Hangar, visitors were also able to gain hands-on building experience in assembling their own all metal kit aircraft. Both Sebastien Heintz and Matt Heintz also provided educational seminars at AirVenture, sharing information about kit aircraft building, as well as ongoing airworthiness for Zenith airplanes. | | The annual homecoming event promises to be another activity-packed gathering of Zenith builders, owners and enthusiasts, with two full days of educational and fun activities! Once again, this will be a fun and informal gathering, with educational seminars, hands-on workshops, great food and camaraderie! Starting on Friday morning (September 19th) we’ll host seminars on avionics, engine installations, aircraft building, and more, followed by the Zenith BBQ Banquet “dinner with the planes.” Saturday activities will include a Zenith “aircraft show” with prizes, building and flying contests and demonstrations, ending on Saturday evening with a dinner at the airport, awards ceremony and music! We hope you can join us! Fly-in or drive in for the Zenith Homecoming! Check out the many photos from the 2024 event. | |
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Get hands-on and experience what it’s really like to build your own airplane! Join us at an upcoming Zenith factory workshop class to learn the skills, tools, and techniques needed to build one of our popular kit aircraft.
You'll build and complete your own rudder tail section (the first step in your aircraft project), take a factory tour of our expanded production facilities, and go on a demo flight in a Zenith aircraft!
Choose your path: Build the rudder tail section of the rugged "SkyJeep" or sleek cruiser configuration. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
Upcoming Workshop Dates: August 7 & 8 | September 17 & 18, 2025.
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Zenith’s popular hands-on workshop class is coming to Michigan in October 2025!
The October workshop will be held in central Michigan, starting on Friday, October 10th, hosted by local EAA Chapter 1056, with a Saturday morning (October 11) informal Zenith fly-in and gathering.
During the workshop each participant builds and assembles their own Zenith aircraft rudder tail section from a standard Zenith kit, typically completed at the end of the first day. Space is limited so register early to secure your spot.
| This workshop class will be held at the Livingston County Airport (KOZW) in Howell, about 55 miles west of Detroit. The event is being organized by local Zenith builder/pilot Steve Aupperle, who flies a Zenith STOL CH 750 powered by a Viking (Honda) engine. This event is also being supported by Martina and Oliver Reik (Zenith CH 750 Cruzers pilots), owners of Midwest Flying Machines, a professional builder assistance center located west of Detroit. | Do you want a full kit (or components and parts) delivered to you on the way to Michigan? We'll be driving the Zenith cargo van from the Zenith kit factory to Howell, Michigan, and we can arrange to deliver a kit or sub-kits to you along the way or at Livingston County Airport in Howell, MI. Contact us for details. Space is limited. | | | |
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The flight to and from the destination are often as memorable as the events themselves, especially when traveling in one’s very own homebuilt aircraft. Check out the flight home from Oshkosh, as Sebastien Heintz and Roger Dubbert follow the Mississippi River. Flying "low and slow" offers both scenic beauty and a profound sense of freedom, highlighting the very essence of sport aviation, all while delivering exceptional cross-country capabilities, superb comfort, and unparalleled visibility.
Below, Randy Shannon brought both his high-wing Zeniths, a four-seat STOL CH 801 and a STOL CH 750 Super Duty, to Oshkosh.
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