Educational workshop classes and seminars are scheduled starting on Friday, September 16th, including engine and avionics seminars, and maintenance and building workshops. Join us for the Zenith "banquet" (outdoors again this year, allowing for social distancing) on Friday evening, and for a BBQ on Saturday evening. Purchase your Friday night Zenith banquet dinner tickets now (space is limited, and to help us adequately plan for the event).
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The STOL (short take-off and landing) flying demonstrations are just some of our popular events! Great door prizes (donated by some of our many sponsors) will be awarded at the dinner events. Saturday morning's pancake breakfast will be donated once again by Kitplanes magazine and Avemco aviation insurance.
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Dozens of Zenith aircraft are expected to fly in to the Homecoming from across the country, with an excellent representation of the many Zenith kit airplanes flying today, showcasing various custom configurations (engines, avionics, paint schemes and more!). Their builders and pilots will be on hand to discuss their projects and to share their experiences building and flying their Zenith. |
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Visitors are invited to tour the modern Zenith Aircraft kit production facilities to see and to learn how the all-metal kit parts are fabricated, while Zenith Aircraft staff and volunteers will demonstrate the ease of the kit assembly with modern final hole size match-drilled parts. The strong Zenith community of builders and owners continue to make Zenith the number one brand of light sport aircraft in the United States (based on actual FAA registrations). Visitors are invited to take part in the many educational seminars and workshops in the factory.
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Women's Introduction to Aircraft Building Workshop Class |
Val Westedt (pictured at left with the Zenith CH 650 that she built) has volunteered to teach a hands-on workshop just for aspiring women airplane builders. "There should be more women building airplanes and I wanted to show them that they can learn the skills to do it,” she said. The workshop includes a hands-on building project. This is a great workshop not only for aspiring women builders, but for all women (young and old!) who would like to learn more about light aircraft construction. Check the schedule for workshop time. Earlier this summer at Oshkosh AirVenture, Val hosted a "Women’s Introduction to Building" workshop class to a standing-room only crowd.
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Select suppliers and vendors will participate once again, to meet with new and existing Zenith aircraft builders, owners and pilots, and to share technical information about their services and products:
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We thank the vendors and sponsors who participate and who provide the many fantastic prizes to Zenith builders, owners and pilots! |
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30th Anniversary Zenith T-Shirts.
These are super soft and comfortable cotton t-shirts "not made in China" of U.S. components. Order yours now before they're all gone, or call Joyce or Kaitlyn to order: 573-581-9000 |
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Volunteer Opportunities: As mentioned in the preview video, there are a number of volunteer opportunities at the Zenith Homecoming event. Volunteering at the event is a great way to meet fellow Zenith builders and flyers and a fun and useful way to give back to the Zenith community. Contact Joyce or Kaitlyn if you are available to volunteer at the Open Hangar Days and Fly-In event. Help is needed in aircraft parking, welcome hosts, photographers, set-up and clean-up, and more.
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Check out this virtual walk-through tour of the Zenith Homecoming! STOL CH 750 Super Duty builder Adam Andrews walked through the Zenith kit aircraft factory and then along the flight line early on Saturday to take these amazing 360-degree photos at the 2021 event.
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As a Zenith builder or flyer (or if you're interested and planning to become one some day), this annual Homecoming is an event you don't want to miss! |
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Zenith STOL to Compete at Reno Air Races' STOL-Drag event |
Also next week, at the Reno Air Races in Nevada, relative newcomer Jon Hakala will be competing with his Zenith STOL CH 701 "Sky Jeep" in the STOL-Drag competitions. Last year, Jon won the world championship, Bronze class, in his stock Rotax-powered STOL CH 701 at the STOL Drag World Championships at the High Sierra Fly-In. Jon has been practicing for the event and optimizing his Zenith for both STOL and speed! Jon is excited to be returning to the STOL-Drag circuit with his "Big Tuna" 701 and we wish him continued success!
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Youth and Mentors Start Building Their First Zenith Kit |
RAYAP is a volunteer organization that introduces youth to the world of aviation, from flight training to aircraft building and maintenance. Mentors (mostly retired aviation mechanics, engineers and pilots) volunteer their time in the program to teach students. Under the program, RAYAP is building the Zenith kit as a learning and character-building experience for the youth in the program, and plans to sell the assembled kit as a fundraising activity for the program. This is a wonderful aviation program with a proven track record (having already built nine airplanes). Zenith builders and flyers: this is a wonderful opportunity to get your hands on a completed airframe while supporting a fantastic program at the same time. Read more...
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Hands-On Zenith Workshop Experience: Build It. Fly It! |
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We invite you to join us at our next available factory workshop on October 6th & 7th at the Zenith kit aircraft factory in central Missouri. Zenith's factory workshops are popular with sport aviation enthusiasts, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in building their own kit airplane. Participants get to actually start assembling kit parts under the direction and guidance of factory professionals, and "graduate" 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. |
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Cost of the workshop class is just $375.00 (or $425 for the CH 750 Super Duty model) and includes the complete rudder kit for a Zenith aircraft. Additional helpers (spouse, friend or children) are encouraged to attend and can participate at no additional charge. The hands-on workshop makes an excellent getaway for you and your spouse or a friend! Spend a couple of days at the Zenith Aircraft factory and meet with fellow aviation enthusiasts - all while gaining valuable building skills and tips. And don't forget: A demo flight in the Zenith airplane you plan to build is part of the factory workshop experience! Plan now to join us at an upcoming workshop class! |
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