Zenith Homecoming is next month!

Make plans now to attend and participate at this 34th annual Zenith Homecoming Open Hangar Days and Fly-In at the Zenith kit aircraft factory! As reported in General Aviation News: "The Open Hangar Days & Fly-In include two days of activities, with educational seminars and workshops, an aircraft show, contests, social activities, factory tours, and flying demonstrations, as well as a Zenith banquet dinner on Friday evening. Educational seminars and workshops include topics ranging from building an aircraft to insurance, transition training, and more."

This year's homecoming event promises to be another activity-packed gathering of Zenith builders, owners and enthusiasts, over two full days of educational and fun activities!

On the first day (Friday, September 19th) educational seminars begin in the morning and take place throughout the day, featuring various airframe (the aircraft fuselage, wings and tail), engine, and avionics seminars, with suppliers like Dynon and Garmin avionics, Continental, Corvair and Viking auto engine conversions, and more participating. The knowledge gained from these educational seminars gives the individual aircraft kit builders an opportunity to learn more about the choices they have in building and finishing their own aircraft. There will be seminars and panel discussions on topics of interest to Zenith builders and flyers, including flight safety (transition training and first flight preparedness). Friday’s activities conclude with the Zenith Aircraft banquet (catered BBQ), held outdoors in front of the Zenith Aircraft factory with the planes (weather permitting), with special guest speakers. We'll provide more specific event details as we near the Homecoming.

All aviation enthusiasts, and especially builders and owners of Zenith Aircraft kit planes, are invited and encouraged to drive or fly-in for the Homecoming. Check out the photos from last year's event to see why you don't want to miss this year's Zenith Homecoming. See the Zenith blog post for the latest updates and details about the event (we'll post a schedule of events there soon), and also see the Facebook event page for updates (mark yourself as interested or attending to be automatically notified of event updates).

Click here to order your dinner tickets now.

The Zenith Homecoming is presented by the Chris Heintz Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization to promote the aircraft designs of aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz (1938 - 2021) through education and support of the Zenith homebuilt aircraft community. The Zenith Homecoming is also sponsored by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, and supported in part by many other great aviation companies dedicated to promoting homebuilt (kit) aviation.

As in past years, there is free camping at the airport (with your plane or camper), and food and refreshments are available onsite during the event.

Zenith Builders: Contact us as soon as possible if you plan to pick up parts or kits at the Homecoming event. We will try to accommodate everyone but availability is limited.

The FAA's MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rule, issued earlier this summer, significantly expands Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) regulations, impacting both aircraft and pilot qualifications. Key changes include eliminating the previous weight limit for LSAs, and increasing the maximum seat capacity to four (for airplanes), among many other things, while also broadening flight operations for sport pilots. MOSAIC is being hailed as the biggest win in general aviation in decades and will impact recreational and sport pilots across the country. EAA's Charlie Becker plans to participate once again at the Zenith Homecoming event and will share news and updates about MOSAIC (the final rule reads 717 pages long) and will share details on how it will affect Zenith builders and flyers. Zenith Aircraft's Sebastien Heintz will also share details about how the FAA rule impacts Zenith's customers, now and in the future, and he will also share Zenith Aircraft's future plans in response to the MOSAIC rule.

As shared before, Zenith Aircraft continues to be the Number One Brand of Light Sport Aircraft in the United States (based on actual FAA registrations). Now that MOSAIC is a final rule and that the definition of a Light Sport Aircraft has been greatly expanded, this will probably be the last year that we can boast this, now that most Cessnas and Pipers will meet the expanded definition of light sport aircraft (LSA). However, what has made Zenith aircraft popular in the past will continue to attract builders and pilots in the future. We invite you to compare the value and quality of Zenith kits - the completeness of pre-manufactured parts and components, the standard equipment included, the low build time, the simplicity of construction with basic skills and tools, and of course, the competitive price and the great performance and handling of the completed aircraft. We strive to keep our prices as affordable as possible, while also improving production technology with the extensive use of CNC equipment in kit production. This allows for a much higher level of parts completion (making the kits easier and quicker to build!), improved delivery schedules, and also keeps production of the kits in the U.S., and what has made Zenith the Number One brand of light sport aircraft year after year.

Zenith Aircraft kits, whether the high-wing Zenith CH 750 series or the sleek low-wing Zenith CH 650, continue to represent exceptional value to the recreational (yet demanding) pilot and to the amateur aircraft builder looking for a quality fast-build kit. The standard kits are complete, and include many pre-drilled holes (thanks to advanced CNC fabrication technology), factory-finished wing spars, and all hardware required to assemble the entire airframe. Best of all, Zenith kits are supported by one of the best companies in the industry.

Thanks to the expanded Zenith kit aircraft factory and ongoing investment in manufacturing technology, getting started building your own aircraft is easier and quicker than ever! Visit the factory and go up for a demo flight. Bring your trailer and take a full or partial kit home with you. Call us to learn more about how you can get started soon building your very own Zenith.

Zenith Aircraft Company continues to hold monthly workshops at its kit aircraft factory in central Missouri. Experience what it takes to build your own airplane by participating at an upcoming hands-on workshop class and learn about the skills and tools needed to build your own. The hands-on workshop experience at the Zenith factory also includes a factory tour of the newly expanded kit production facilities and a demo flight. Participants "graduate" the Zenith workshop class 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. Here are the next scheduled workshops at the Zenith kit aircraft factory in Missouri:

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 is a very rewarding experience, and today’s modern kits make it easier and quicker than ever to build.

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 participants (spouse or other family members) are encouraged to attend and can participate at no extra cost. Prior registration is required for the rudder workshop class and class size is limited.