Hands-On Learning With Zenith Aircraft!
|
Zenith Aircraft Company has been producing aircraft kits for 24 years in Mexico, Missouri (centrally located in the United States). The simple and easy to build aircraft kits designed by aeronautical engineer, Chris Heintz are perfect for group build projects. Zenith Aircraft is not new at this, in 2014 the One Week Wonder project at Oshkosh involved 2,500 volunteers who helped build a Zenith aircraft in just seven days, last year (2015) three sets of Zenith wings were donated to the Give Flight project and built at Oshkosh to start up three new group build projects, and currently there are approximately forty other Zenith group build projects in progress with high schools/colleges, organizations and EAA/RAA Chapters around the world.
|
North Idaho High School Aerospace Program in Sandpoint, Idaho developed one of these great Zenith group build projects for middle school and high school students. Their mission for aerospace education while building a Zenith aircraft consists of:
"Our aim is to cultivate a highly skilled, local aerospace workforce by providing opportunities for Bonner and Boundary County students to successfully transition to post-secondary aerospace education, career training or job placement. Aviation and aerospace careers encompass the design, development, production and operation of all flight vehicles.
"Right now, our main focus is finishing our airplane construction project - building a two passenger Zenith Zodiac CH 601 XL tail-dragger aircraft.
The plane is more than 80% complete. We need funds to purchase the parts and accessories required to finish the project. Idaho Gives proceeds will be used to purchase all that's necessary to complete the plane -- and fly it!"
|
 |
"We are doing flight training in N342RJ, an S-LSA CH 601 XL. And, we are building the E-LSA CH 601 XL tail-dragger at the high school. Having two Zodiacs of the same model is great. Our plan is that students will get licensed - either sport pilot or private pilot - in the tricycle gear factory-built plane, then can transition into the tail wheel, getting the endorsement and building time.
"We started out with 12 students our first year three years ago and now have about 40 students in the full program, which includes academic classes including a complete ground school, the ACES Workshop building the Zenith CH 601 XL and in flight training. Our program has been very successful and we have a number of students in aviation college programs and at least two of the current builders are going on to airframe and power plant programs in college after graduation.
"Currently, the fuselage is done except for wiring and last Saturday, we fit the second wing. Other than the wing tips, the wings now are complete and fit nicely into the rebuilt center spar. Part of our student group is the engine team and they are building a Continental C-90 from scratch. They have the case back together and are ready to fit piston and cylinders. We are looking for some more engine parts."
|
|
|
The Zenith group build project is coming along very well with great help from mentors and sponsors along the way:
"Hands-on learning is what our program's ACES Aviation Workshop is all about. The Club is a cooperative effort that relies on help from FAA Certified Aviation mechanics and expert aircraft builders from Quest Aircraft and Sandpoint Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1441 who serve as volunteer mentors.
"Working alongside expert mentors, students are taught how to interpret aviation blueprints and plans, how to build and maintain airframe and powerplant (engine) systems, proper use of tools, metal fabrication and more. Teens are learning the culture of safety protocols, critically inspecting work and accrediting time in a program log.
"Our program is operated by volunteers and donations, so we are always out in the public looking for support. And, the local community has been very generous, even though we are in a small town of only 8,000 people."
|
|
|
The group is getting closer to completion and excited about learning to fly what they have built!
"North Idaho High School Aerospace Program's ability to offer authentic aviation experiences is costly, and we respectfully ask you to consider making a tax-deductible gift of support."
To donate toward their cause there are two easy ways to do so:
- When you shop online at Amazon, please help our students learn to fly. Go to www.smile.amazon.com for shopping just like at amazon.com. Select our non-profit and 0.5% of your purchase price will be donated to our student pilot training scholarships and you pay nothing extra. Amazon makes the donation. Please shop at - www.smile.amazon.com When prompted to enter your charity, select or type in, North Idaho High School Aerospace Program, Inc.
- Click here to donate now on www.razoo.com.
"Every gift, no matter the size, has a significant impact.
Thank you!"
Learn more about this group build project. North Idaho High School has extended an invitation for pilots to visit and check out and fly the S-LSA Zenith CH 601 XL they use for flight lessons to get a feel for the plane at Sandpoint, Idaho (
KSZT). Contact Ken Larson by phone at 208.304.1121, email
ken@imaxmail.net, or visit the pilot training website at
www.pilottrainingnw.com.
|
Zenith Aircraft is passionate about introducing youth to aviation with kit building projects. Zenith offers a wide range of projects, including: small classroom starter projects, component kits (sections of the plane) or a complete kit to give the group the full experience of what it's like to build a Zenith aircraft. How
about building a Zenith aircraft with component kits involving other schools or EAA/RAA chapters and work as a team to put the plane all together in the end? Let's build some teams and make it happen!
|
| Zenith Aircraft Upcoming Events! |
|
Factory Workshops
Build a Zenith rudder! We invite you to spend a couple of days at the Zenith Aircraft factory to learn about building your own airplane and to gain valuable hands-on experience and skills. This is a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about building a Zenith kit airplane. You'll also get the chance to
tour the kit factory and to go up for a
demo flight in a factory aircraft. Cost of the workshop is just $375 and includes the complete rudder tail section kit. Bring a guest at no additional cost. Come learn what it's like to build your own kit plane, build confidence and take the skills you learn at the workshop home with you to continue building the rest of your airplane. No prior experience or skills are needed to attend!
|
|
|
Zenith Fly-In to Summer
Open Hangar Day
&
Fly-In Gathering
This is an informal grass-roots Zenith fly-in and builder gathering held at the kit manufacturing factory in
Mexico, Missouri.
The Zenith Aircraft factory will be open from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm for self-guided factory tours, demonstrations, and more. Hot lunch and refreshments will be available and we'll also have coffee in the morning!
|
|
25th Annual Zenith OPEN HANGAR DAY
& Fly-In Gathering
We are planning many new fun activities this year for the 25th annual event! Plan now to join us for a weekend of fun at the Zenith Aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri! Fly-in or drive in!
We'll have numerous events for builders and pilots of Zenith kit planes (as well as enthusiasts) starting on Friday, September 23rd morning. We'll present seminars and workshops (to be announced), fun activities throughout the day for you to participate in, and a builder dinner/social for Friday evening. We are also extending this event into Saturday, September 24th evening for a dinner at the factory and live band!
Don't forget to make your
hotel reservations now before they are all taken! Camping at the Mexico Memorial Airport is also available! For more information,
contact us at 573.581.9000!
We Look Forward To Seeing You Soon!
|
|
Shop EAA For Zenith Aircraft Items!
|
| Click here to check out all of the new Zenith Aircraft items available! EAA members receive a discount and all proceeds support EAA's educational programs. |
KEEP UP WITH ZENITH &
STAY CONNECTED:
|
|
|
|
|
