Join Zenith Aircraft's Sebastien Heintz and Roger Dubbert for a "demo flight" in the company's iconic CH 750 Cruzer light sport kit airplane as they share the latest Zenith Aircraft updates and a look ahead at what’s coming in early 2026. The video combines scenic flying with timely news about upcoming events, workshops, and opportunities to get involved with the Zenith community. Whether you’re actively building, already flying, or just dreaming about your next aviation adventure, this update is a great way to stay connected and inspired. Watch to see what’s new, what’s coming up, and why there’s never been a better time to be part of the Zenith Aircraft family. | |
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KITPLANES Magazine Cover (February 2026)
Check out the new issue of KITPLANES magazine for an up close look at Carson Stilson's (aka Wairworthy) incredible Zenith STOL CH 750 Super Duty that he built from a kit, and learn about the "New Generation of Kits and Builders"
"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."
| | | | 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:
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Why Yuma, Arizona is the Southwest’s premier pilot destination for 2026 | |
Plane + Pilot magazine featured Yuma, Arizona, earlier this month, explaining how "the city is the Southwest’s premier pilot destination for 2026. Known as one of the sunniest places on earth, Yuma sits directly along the Colorado River where the convergence of the river valley with the desert terrain, common to the American Southwest, combine to create lush, green valleys along with “Sahara-style” mountains of sand that are more than enough to justify a weekend sightseeing trip."
The article about Yuma shares information about the upcoming Zenith workshop class to be held at the nearby Somerton Airport on February 28th: "These workshops are a great opportunity primarily for first-time builders of experimental aircraft hoping to increase their skills in an environment with the requisite expertise and tools. Each attendee will assemble a Zenith aircraft rudder tail section from a standard kit during the course of the workshop. Among the many activities, participants will have the opportunity to learn how to read blueprints, work with assembly manuals, and learn the proper procedures for aircraft assembly, including drilling and blind riveting—all under the guidance of factory staff."
| "Sunday will also serve as a fly-in event for Zenith aircraft owners across the region." The Plane + Pilot magazine report further states that "southwest Arizona and Southern California are home to a robust community of Zenith builders who will showcase many of their projects at the gathering." | | | | 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.
| | Larry Nelson flies his low-wing Zenith over the Colorado River / Yuma, Arizona. | |
Zenith Kit Aircraft Deliveries: Southwest USA Road Trip | |
Zenith will be traveling to SW Arizona and southern Texas in the Zenith cargo van for workshop events at the end of February and early March and can arrange to deliver kits to customers along the way as it travels from the kit factory in central Missouri. Let us know if we can deliver a kit or component kit to you on the way! (Space is strictly limited. Call us for details.) Check out this video from previous year's Texas road trip with kit deliveries along the way.
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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. We'll be sharing more details about the event in coming months.
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The 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.
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Zenith Aircraft's Sebastien Heintz and Roger Dubbert will present a live webinar as part of the EAA Homebuilders Week, titled Zenith Aircraft Kits & Plans, on Friday, January 30th, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. CST, to share news and updates from Zenith Aircraft, and details on available kit aircraft designs from Zenith, the different ways to build (ie. kit or plans-only), and the different ways to finish them (engine and avionics choices, etc.).
This free webinar is recommended for first time builders who are considering building their own aircraft. Registration is required. Sign up here and don't forget to invite your friends to the webinar.
| Join the Experimental Aircraft Assoc (EAA) on January 26-30 for their annual Homebuilders Week online event. Experts from all corners of the homebuilt aircraft community share their knowledge and information with builders everywhere through free and interactive webinars. | | | |
PARTING SHOTS: Winter Flying Fun | Above, Jesse with his Corvair-powered Zenith CH601/CH650: "It’s winter in Minnesota, so that means we have 10,000 frozen lakes that double as runways." Below, David Rees on iced-over ground with his Zenith STOL CH 701. | Both of these photos were shared on Zenith Aircraft's Facebook page, where photos and news from the Zenith Aircraft community are shared every day. | | | | Know someone who would be interested in receiving this free newsletter? Share this web page link with them or simply forward this email to them. | | | | |
