|
NEWS RELEASE
2026 Zenith Homecoming fly-in follow-up report
| | |
Mexico, Missouri: Zenith Aircraft Company’s 35th annual Homecoming “Open Hangar Days and Fly-In” was another resounding success, bringing Zenith builders, owners, pilots and aviation enthusiasts from across the country to the Zenith kit aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri. Held Friday and Saturday, September 18 and 19, the annual Homecoming has grown into one of the nation’s largest gatherings dedicated to a single kit aircraft manufacturer, combining education, airplanes and camaraderie among the Zenith community.
The two-day event featured a full schedule of well-attended hands-on workshops, technical seminars and panel discussions, many led by experienced Zenith builders and pilots sharing their knowledge and experiences. Back by popular demand, Zenith also hosted a women-only aircraft-building workshop designed to introduce more women to the skills and satisfaction of building an aircraft. The Homecoming is first and foremost a celebration of Zenith builders and flyers, and they once again turned out in force, with several dozen beautifully finished Zenith aircraft flying to Missouri from throughout the country.
| Visitors were invited to tour Zenith Aircraft’s modern kit manufacturing facilities, including recently expanded areas of the factory. Guided tours provided an up-close look at how Zenith’s all-metal aircraft kit components are manufactured, while Zenith staff and volunteers demonstrated the straightforward assembly process made possible by modern final-hole-size, match-drilled parts and assemblies. | Despite near-record high temperatures, the traditional evening gatherings remained a highlight of the weekend, with two outdoor dinners held on the factory ramp surrounded by Zenith aircraft. Friday evening’s popular “Zenith Banquet,” featuring local barbecue, attracted more than 250 guests. Zenith Aircraft president Sebastien Heintz provided company updates, while EAA’s Charlie Becker and William Wynne of “Fly Corvair” addressed attendees. Becker discussed the latest developments surrounding FAA MOSAIC and expanded Sport Pilot privileges, as well as plans for the 2027 One Week Wonder project at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, where volunteers and youth participants will build a Zenith CH 750 Super Cruzer during the week-long event. Pilot and owners who flew in with their Zeniths were recognized and a number of popular awards were presented. | A select group of suppliers and vendors serving the homebuilt aircraft community also participated in the Homecoming, giving builders, owners and pilots an opportunity to learn more about the products and services available to complete, equip, maintain and fly their aircraft. | Longtime sponsors continued their generous support of the event, with numerous prizes awarded throughout the weekend. Aircraft Spruce & Specialty served as the major event sponsor, while EAA Chapter 944 once again prepared a hot breakfast both mornings. Friday’s breakfast was sponsored by ULPower Engines / Wheels & Wings, with Saturday’s breakfast sponsored by AVEMCO Aviation Insurance. | Over the years, the Zenith Homecoming has grown organically into the premier annual gathering for Zenith builders, owners and flyers. Beyond the social aspects of the weekend, the event serves an important educational role, offering seminars on basic light-aircraft construction as well as technical sessions focused on maintenance, safety and continued airworthiness of existing Zenith CH-series aircraft. It provides builders and pilots with the opportunity to learn directly from one another, from industry experts and from the people who manufacture the aircraft kits they build and fly. | |
The annual Zenith Homecoming is officially presented by the Chris Heintz Foundation, Inc., established by the Heintz brothers to preserve and share the work and aircraft designs of their father, aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, and to promote education and participation in homebuilt aviation.
The dates for next year’s Zenith Homecoming have been set for September 17 and 18, 2027, at the Zenith Aircraft factory at Mexico Memorial Airport in Mexico, Missouri.
| | With builder choices in mind, all Zenith aircraft kits are designed to offer builders a wide variety of suitable engines, avionics, and custom kit options. Zenith Aircraft builders typically build their own airplanes in 400-500 hours from a complete kit, or can choose to build from component kits, quick build kits, or scratch-build from plans (blueprints) only. The STOL CH 750 Super Duty, a short take-off and landing (STOL) airplane with a rear jump seat and increased load carrying capability, is the latest model from Zenith Aircraft, and an excellent candidate for mLSA (MOSAIC LSA) under the FAA's updated rules for Light Sport Aircraft. | | |
Additional information:
Photo credits: Clint Gosch
| | | | |
