NEW: EAA BARNSTORMING DEALS: Exclusive offer to EAA members

Get FREE admission to the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo with your paid registration for the Zenith Aircraft hands-on workshop offered at the Expo! Sign up now for the workshop to take advantage of the EAA Barnstorming Deal!
 

Following up on the success of last year's Zenith workshops at the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in central Florida we are pleased to return with the workshops at the 2018 event, to be held January 24 - 27, 2018.

The Zenith workshops are aimed at the first-time airplane builder and have become popular with sport aviation enthusiasts who are considering to build their own aircraft, but are not sure if they have the required skills, work-space and tools. During the workshop, which begins on Wednesday (January 24) and runs until Thursday afternoon (January 25), each participant builds and assembles a Zenith Aircraft rudder tail section from a standard kit. A second workshop session begins on Friday (January 26) and ends on Saturday (January 27).  Additionally, Zenith Aircraft will be on display at the Sebring Expo.

Workshop participants tackle many activities including learning how to read drawings (blueprints) and work from assembly instructions (manuals). They learn the procedures for putting together an aircraft assembly, including drilling, de-burring and blind riveting. As part of the building process participants cut, file and fit the aluminum alloy (sheet metal) parts. In the end, they have an assembled rudder that is ready to install on a Zenith kit airplane.

A demo flight is also be offered to all workshop participants. There is no cost for the actual workshop, but participants are required to purchase the rudder kit that they will assemble at the workshop. The assembly tools will be provided.

"The rest of the airframe is constructed the same way as the rudder using pretty much the same tools," said Sebastien Heintz, President of Zenith. "People get far more out of the workshops than just a rudder. They go home with the knowledge and skills they need to finish an airplane. Most importantly, they learn that building is easy, enjoyable and something that can engage the whole family. Many of our prospective builders bring their spouses or other family member, who often encourage them to move forward with the rest of the airframe. With modern technology and good instructions, aircraft construction has become much simpler than most people imagine."

The two-day hands-on workshop is an excellent way to learn about building your own amateur-built aircraft and about the many advantages of owning and flying an airplane that you've built yourself. Kit aircraft is a segment of aviation that is growing while the rest of the aviation industry continues to decline. 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 even before.

Workshop participants are also invited to the Zenith dinner (time and place in Sebring to be determined).

The cost of the rudder tail kit is $375. Additional helpers can participate for free. To learn more about the workshop program visit zenithair.com, and visit the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo website for details about the aviation expo in Sebring, Florida, January 24 - 27, 2018. Click here to sign up for the workshop. Workshop space is limited, and prior registration is required.

Plan now to come to the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo, and learn all about building and flying your own airplane! This trip will make an excellent getaway for you and your spouse or a friend. Spend a couple of productive days learning to build the rudder, meet with fellow aviation enthusiasts, and visit the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo in sunny Florida!

Also at the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo:

Come by the Zenith Aircraft booth and workshop tent to meet with Amy and Herman Eshuis of Wheels and Wings, which offers professional builder assistance to Zenith builders in Edgewater, Florida.

Educational Forum Seminar at Sebring:

Sebastien Heintz, Zenith Aircraft president, will discuss "Building Your Own Aircraft" on Friday, January 26 at  2:30 pm (forum area 4).

Also, Heintz joins with Plane & Pilot magazine's editor Robert Goyer for "The intersection of homebuilt and part 23: Panel Discussion" along with Dan Johnson and Tom Peghiny. Forum Area 1: Thursday, 11:30-12:15

Existing Zenith builders and flyers are also encouraged to attend the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo, and to fly-in with their finished Zenith aircraft projects. Come by and visit with Zenith staff, see the planes at booth N205, lend a helping hand at the workshop tent, and join us for the Zenith dinner (time and place to be announced).

• Video report following up on the 2017 Sebring Expo
• Read my report from the 2017 Sebring Sport Aviation Expo

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Following are videos from previous years:

Video: Landing in Sebring in the Zenith CH 750 Cruzer:

Video: Zenith Aircraft kit building workshop at the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo: First Session (Wednesday and Thursday):

Video: Demo flight in the STOL CH 750 around the race track at Sebring:

Above video, flying around Sebring International Raceway and the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo:

Video: Zenith Aircraft kit building workshop at the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo: Second Session (Friday and Saturday):

Video: Demo flight in the Zenith STOL CH 750 around Sebring:

Video: Flying home: Recap of the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2017:

Video: Flying home: CH 750 Cruzer over central Florida:

Video: Flying home: Air-to-air video of the Zenith STOL CH 750 "Sky Jeep" over southern Alabama:

Video: Flying home: Crossing the Mississippi River in the Zenith CH 750 Cruzer on Monday morning, before stopping for lunch at Lambert's (Sikeston, Missouri):

Video: Flying home: Following the Missouri River home on Monday afternoon:

STOL CH 750 featured on Sebring promotional literature:

• Photos and videos of the trip to and from Sun'n Fun 2017
• Check out photos and videos from the 2016 Sebring Expo
• See the Zenith Facebook page for more photos and videos from Sebring