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Youth Aviation Builders
Check out this amazing volunteer organization that introduces youth to the world of aviation in a practical way, from flight training to aircraft building and maintenance. Under the program, young people have the opportunity to work on a Zenith kit under the mentorship of seasoned professionals in exchange for flight time towards their license.
Started in 2013 by aviation entrepreneur Ron Alexander and Zenith builder/pilot Jim Hoak, the Ron Alexander Youth Aviation Program (RAYAP) has a proven track record building and restoring light aircraft and providing wonderful education (and career) opportunities to young people in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
The volunteer organization is currently working on a Zenith CH 750 Cruzer kit. When assembled, this kit will be offered for sale, and the group has the ability to customize and complete the aircraft to the specifications of an individual buyer, including engine, avionics and paint. Check out their Facebook page for the latest project updates.
"John the Builder," the mechanically-minded 9-year old son of Alissa and Jan Eggenfellner (of Viking Aircraft Engines) has started building his own Zenith STOL CH 701 aircraft from a kit. It all started a few weeks ago when Zenith Aircraft's Sebastien Heintz visited Viking's annual "engine workshop" day, taking the opportunity to speak to the workshop participants and demonstrating Zenith's new STOL CH 701 rudder assembly. After the workshop, Heintz left the rudder with John so that he could start building his very own aircraft. Zenith's new STOL CH 701 kit has been re-engineered to feature extensive use of final hole size match-drilled parts for maximum ease of assembly, making it suitable for inexperienced first-time builders. John's mother, Alissa, created the page to detail the build, and points out: "I want to make it clear John will be the one doing this build... Not only is he super excited and having a blast so far, but he is also learning and sharing with people his age and showing that it can be done..."
From our friends at Quality Sport Planes in northern California, here's a short video landing their custom taildragger Zenith STOL CH 701 "Sky Jeep"
Quality Sport Planes, which offers professional builder assistance services and sales of Zenith kits on the west coast, will be hosting a regional Zenith fly-in and open house on May 6 in Cloverdale, California.
Zenith Aircraft will be in southwest Texas next week to present one of its popular hands-on workshop classes. Even though this workshop class is now at full capacity, Zenith aircraft builders, flyers and enthusiasts are welcome to fly-in or drive in on Saturday to Boerne Stage Airfield where they will be hosting an informal Zenith fly-in gathering. This event is graciously hosted once again by Zenith builder/pilot Bill Fahey, as well as Mark Ogden who is providing his hangar for the workshop class.
As the number one brand of light sport aircraft in the United States, it's no surprise that there are new kit completions nearly daily, many as unique as the builders who built them. Many new completions and builder/pilot reports are shared on Zenith.aero, the online resource for active Zenith builders and owners, as well as the popular Zenith Facebook page. Remember to join the private Facebook Zenith Aircraft Builders group and the Zenith Aircraft Flyers group to communicate directly with hundreds of active Zenith builders and flyers, and to check out their projects.
A Plane For All Seasons
Winter camping with the STOL CH 750 "Sky Jeep" in front of the Canadian Rockies
Get a head start in building your own airplane in 2023 by participating at an upcoming hands-on workshop class at the kit aircraft manufacturing factory in Mexico, Missouri, and learn all about the skills and tools needed to build your own. 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 aircraft rudder tail section for one of Zenith Aircraft Company's popular kit aircraft designs, including the high-wing Zenith CH 750 series or the sleek low-wing Zenith CH 650 cruiser. Plan now to join us at an upcoming factory workshop (see above for details on the Texas workshop):
The Zenith hands-on workshop is an excellent way to learn about building your own kit aircraft and about 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 class and class size is limited.
(DE)PARTING SHOT:
Short Takeoff or Landing? You be the judge. Jon Humberd competing at the National STOL competition in his Zenith "Super 701" light sport aircraft. Photo by Sheldon Heatherington
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