Oshkosh 2026 Follow-Up Report | | The Zenith team is still recovering from a busy week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. And what a week it was! It was highlighted by Zenith Aircraft's surprise introduction of the new Zenith CH 750 Super Cruzer. The new design was popular with both existing Zenith builders and flyers, as well as the aviation public at large. | | Zenith AircraftProviding the utility of the proven STOL CH 750 Super Duty and the cruise and cross-country capability of the CH 750 Cruzer, the new Super Cruzer from Zenith offers pilots what is now available under the expanded Sport Pilot privileges. The Zenith CH 750 Super Cruzer is a new all-metal high-wing cross-country cruiser, featuring roomy side-by-side seating in a 2 + 1 (rear jump seat) configuration, and standard tricycle landing gear. | |
"On the first day of AirVenture, the FAA final controller for Runway 36 cleared a Cessna to land on the yellow dot. What he failed to realize was that the landing aircraft was no Cessna," reported AvBrief.com
"It was a Zenith high-wing aircraft and a brand-new prototype at that. This unique airplane, Zenith’s CH 750 Super Cruzer, has now debuted at AirVenture, drawing a great deal of surprised interest." | Zenith Aircraft shared this short video on social media of the landing at Oshkosh, generating tens of thousands of views within just the first few hours. | | | | "Rather than creating an entirely new airframe, Zenith combined the Super Duty's structure with the Cruzer's wing and tail," reported AOPA (Zenith Aircraft debuts CH 750 Super Cruzer at AirVenture, July 21, 2026, by Janine Canillas).
Building on the proven load-carrying capability of Zenith’s current STOL CH 750 Super Duty and the higher cruise speeds of the Zenith CH 750 Cruzer, two popular designs from aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, the new Super Cruzer combines the most popular attributes of each of those designs: it delivers increased cruise speed and cross-country performance while retaining the generous useful load, spacious cabin, short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance, as well as the industry-leading ease of construction that Zenith Aircraft is well known for. "The Super Cruzer is indeed faster than the STOL Super Duty, currently testing out at 119 mph cruise, 14 mph faster than the STOL Super Duty," reported AvBrief. "Once wheel pants and intersection fairings are installed, Zenith conservatively expects a cruise speed of 130 mph." | The new Zenith design fits well within Zenith Aircraft’s current offerings, and is ideal for recreational pilots seeking a versatile aircraft that excels in cross-country travel yet remains capable of shorter backcountry strips, while being easy and fun to fly, offering great visibility, and comfort for larger pilots and passengers. Zenith Aircraft continues to offer all of its high-wing models, including the STOL CH 750 Super Duty and the Zenith CH 750 Cruzer. | |
Major portions of the airframe are identical to the STOL CH 750 Super Duty version, allowing Zenith to offer a very advanced final hole size, matched-drilled kit that is available now. The new model retains all the builder-friendly features the Zenith kits are known for, including compatibility with the innovative “Un-panel” (repositionable instrument panel) and support for a wide variety of engines (from 140 up to 230 hp).
"Zenith is accepting orders now for the new Zenith CH 750 Super Cruzer, with kit deliveries starting shortly after AirVenture," reported General Aviation News (July 21, 2026) about the new design. "As is customary with other Zenith designs, customers can choose to install the engine and avionics of their choice, and different engines and firewall-forward options will be available directly from Zenith, as well as others."
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Zenith's other CH 750 Cruzer factory demonstrator (powered by the 118-hp UL350i engine) was chosen for presentation by the historical "Brown Arch" of AirVenture thanks to its patriotic scheme, and Roger was presented with a certificate proclaiming that "This aircraft was selected as one of the patriotic paint schemes in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America". The theme of this year's EAA AirVenture was "Celebrating 250 years of freedom, innovation and flight."
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Carson Stilson (aka Wairworthy) returned to Oshkosh with not one, but with two Zenith airplanes that he built: His stunning STOL CH 750 Super Duty (parked all week at the Hartzell propeller booth at AirVenture) and the 40th anniversary edition of the STOL CH 701 that he plans to give away later this year. Both aircraft were flown in from Utah and were crowd pleasers throughout the week.
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The annual Zenith Banquet during EAA AirVenture was well attended, and gave the Heintz family the opportunity to thank the Zenith community for all their ongoing support over the years, and to give updates on the new Super Cruzer design.
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Zenith staff demonstrated the ease of assembly of its new kits, supplied ready-to-assemble right out of the box (with final hole size match-drilled parts for maximum ease of assembly). Led by Calvin Heintz in the EAA AeroPlane Hangar, visitors were also able to gain hands-on building experience in assembling their own all metal kit aircraft. This year, a new Zenith 1450 amphibious float kit assembly was demonstrated during the week.
| Both Sebastien Heintz and Matt Heintz also provided educational seminar forums at AirVenture, sharing information about kit aircraft design and building, as well as ongoing airworthiness for Zenith airplanes. | | | |
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The Zenith booth was the site of the popular "Happy Hour" before the Wednesday night airshow, sponsored by Viking Aircraft Engines. Great conversations and friendships, sharing our love of aviation!
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"For the fifth year in a row, Zenith Aircraft sponsored Women and Girls Only Sheet Metal Workshops. Three days this week, approximately 40 participants learned the basics: deburring edges and corners, Clecoing pieces together, drilling to upsize holes, deburring holes, and pulling blind rivets. In the end, each person walks away with a nice, aluminum binder courtesy of Zenith," reported AvBrief.com. "This year, the workshop had a three-generation family each make their own notebook. Two other participants were returnees from last year’s class. They had met for the first time in the workshop and have become best friends. As one of their husbands “stole” his wife’s three-ring binder and the other husband was lusting for his own, the gals returned this year to make two more binders so all four now have their own binder." (The Zenith binders were supplied courtesy of the Chris Heintz Foundation, Inc.)
| | | | Now that another successful EAA Oshkosh is behind us, we're busy planning our upcoming Zenith Homecoming - Open Hangar Days and Fly-In. Start making plans now to join us for this 35th annual Zenith Homecoming at the kit aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri, on September 18 and 19. | | |
The Zenith Homecoming event promises to be another activity-packed gathering of Zenith builders, owners and enthusiasts, with two full days of educational and fun activities! This will be a fun and informal gathering, with educational seminars, hands-on workshops, great food and camaraderie! Starting on Friday morning (September 18th) we’ll host seminars on avionics, engine installations, aircraft building, and more, followed by the Zenith BBQ Banquet “dinner with the planes.” Saturday's activities will include a Zenith “aircraft show” with prizes, building and flying contests and demonstrations, ending on Saturday evening with a dinner at the airport and awards ceremony! Make plans now to join us! All aviation enthusiasts and pilots are welcome! Check out some of the many photos from last year's event. We'll be sharing more event details soon.
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Upcoming workshops at the Zenith kit aircraft factory in central Missouri:
August 13 & 14 | September 16 & 17 (right before the Homecoming)
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Zenith Aircraft's hands-on workshop classes give you the chance to learn the skills and tools needed to build your own airplane 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. Participating at a workshop is an excellent way to learn about building your own kit aircraft, and to learn of 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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