Thanks to all who visited and participated at the 2018 Zenith Homecoming! We had a great event!

Video clip of the event | Check out the photos

HomebuiltHELP.com video review

Plan now to join us again in 2019 and save the date!  September 20 & 21, 2019

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• Latest update: Watch the preview video
• Schedule of Events (subject to change, updated 9/19/18)

Plan now to join us at the annual Zenith Aircraft OPEN HANGAR DAYS and Builder Fly-In at the Zenith kit factory in Mexico, Missouri. Friday and Saturday, September 21 & 22, 2018.

This will be our 27th annual event, and we are planning educational and fun social (and flying) activities over two full days at the factory in Mexico, Missouri! Fly-in or drive in for the activities!

As in years past we'll have numerous events for builders and pilots of Zenith kit planes (as well as all aviation enthusiasts) starting on Friday, Sept. 21. We'll present new seminars and workshops (to be announced), and host a Zenith banquet dinner / social for Friday evening and also a Saturday evening BBQ dinner at the factory!

• Photos from the 2017 event | Photos from the 2016 event
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The free seminars and workshops presented at Open Hangar Days are a great way to learn about Zenith Aircraft and all of the options to choose from when building your own kit airplane. Plan to attend all day Friday for the seminars!

• Schedule of Events (subject to change, updated 9/17/18).

Dinner tickets are now available for advance for purchase for the Friday, September 21 banquet and the Saturday, September 22, BBQ at the Zenith Aircraft factory. Please get your dinner tickets well in advance to help us plan and accommodate everyone

• View video from last year

At the Friday night Zenith banquet there will be many fantastic door prizes! 

Fly in with your Zenith aircraft and show off your plane in the new Zenith Aircraft Show (like a car show, but with airplanes) and be judged by the public and experienced builders. All Zenith aircraft are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Aircraft Show, even if your plane is older and not polished!

The Open Hangar Days event presents the opportunity for visitors to tour the Zenith Aircraft factory, meet the Zenith staff, and to socialize with fellow pilots, builders, and aviation enthusiasts. Join us both days for educational seminars (see below) on building and flying your own airplane, plus learn all about the latest avionics and engine technology from several vendors at the event. 

ZenairAir Camper: Come see the proof-of-concept ZenithAir Camper at the Open Hangar Days and meet with the builders Alicia and Scott Sutton. This kit camper was a surprise hit at EAA Oshkosh AirVenture earlier this summer:

• Schedule of Events (subject to change, updated 9/17/18)

 

Summary of Seminars: Here's an overview summary of the scheduled seminars (subject to change and revision). 

• Sport Pilot and Zenith Transition Training: Flight instructors from Buzz Air Flight Academy will attend once again with Zenith CH 601 XL-B S-LSA trainers and will be available for transition and flight training (including flight reviews / check-rides). Contact Buzz Air Flight Academy directly to schedule at 775-841-5429. They will also share information and details about the Sport Pilot certificate, BasicMED, and transition training.
• Painting your own aircraft with Stewart Systems revolutionary waterborne paint system. Andy Humphrey is an A&P mechanic and tech support specialist at Stewart Systems.
• EarthX Lithium batteries for light aircraft. Learn about lightweight lithium battery technology from Kathy Nicoson, EarthX's Global Sales Director
• LED lighting systems for light aircraft. Ryan Edmark from AeroLEDs will share info on the latest LED lighting technology, including nav/strobe lights and landing lights for light aircraft. 
• Avilution Unpanel, by Mark Spencer of Avilution. The unpanel is a single extra-large, free-standing 17” integrated avionics display system that replaces the traditional instrument panel. 
• Dynamic propeller balancing workshop. Learn about dynamic propeller balancing for your Zenith aircraft from Matt Dock of DynaVibe.
• Match-Hole Assembly - Hands on Demonstration: Steve Oppenlander & Travis Kobush, Zenith Staff (Zenith Hangar)
• Garmin G3X Touch Avionics Package for Zeniths: Brad Brensing (from Garmin International, Inc.) will cover details on the equipment and capabilities included in the new Garmin package being offered through Zenith. 
• Aircraft Insurance For Your Zenith Aircraft: Scott "Sky" Smith, Sky Smith Insurance (Zenith Hangar)

• Engine Panel Discussion: Owners and pilots of various Zenith aircraft models will discuss the specific engine they are flying behind in their Zenith, and will share their experiences regarding installation, maintenance, performance, and more!  Engine company representatives will also be on hand to answer specific details about their respective engines. (HomebuiltHELP.com Hangar)
   
• Zenith Builders Banquet Dinner: Informal buffet dinner gathering of Zenith enthusiasts, builders & pilots at the Elks Lodge (next to the airport) starting at 6:00 pm. Cash bar opens at 5:00 pm. Join us with special guests and speakers, and updates from Zenith Aircraft. We will have Zenith trivia for everyone to participate in, awesome door prizes, and more! Pre-purchase your tickets or buy your tickets at the door (we recommend you buy your tickets now as space is limited).

The Saturday events at the Zenith factory include tours of the Zenith factory, hands-on building projects, Zenith airplanes on display in the air and on the ground, great food, and fun contests for our visitors to enjoy, along with educational seminars throughout the day.
 

Saturday Events:  Here's the actual schedule of activities (subject to change and revision). 

• Building Your Own Zenith Aircraft: Zenith Staff (Zenith Hangar)
• Zenith Factory Tour: Travis Kobush, Zenith Production Manager (Zenith Hangar)
• Zenith Aircraft Show: Public and Zenith builder judged aircraft show (like a car show, but with Zenith airplanes) with fun categories and great prizes. Register your Zenith aircraft at the registration booth in the gazebo outside of the Zenith factory hangar all day on Friday or Saturday morning.
• Garmin avionics, Brad Brensing, Garmin International, Inc. (HomebuiltHelp.com hangar): Learn about Garmin’s glass panel displays for experimental aircraft. Discussion will cover products and recommendations for both new aircraft or retrofit installations. Brad Brensing is Garmin's Experimental/LSA Sales Manager and a homebuilder himself. (HomebuiltHelp.com hangar)
• Annual "group photo" of builders and their planes in front of the factory.
• Building and Flying Your Zenith Aircraft: Zenith Staff
• STOL Flying Demonstrations: Short Take-Off and Short (Precision) Landing Demonstrations, at Mexico Memorial Airport (subject to weather), sponsored by Kitplanes magazine. To participate, register your Zenith aircraft on Friday or Saturday morning. 
• Basic Rules of Building and Flying Your Own Airplane Seminar: Charlie Becker, EAA's Director of Chapters, Communities and Homebuilt Community Manager, will provide an update from EAA headquarters and also explain the basic rules of building and flying your homebuilt.
• Aircraft Insurance For Your Zenith Aircraft: Scott "Sky" Smith, Sky Smith Insurance (Zenith Hangar)
• Overview of the Tools & Skills Needed to Build Your Own Zenith Aircraft: Zenith Staff
• Zenith Aircraft Fly-By and Show: Flying and ground demonstration and show of custom built Zeniths. To participate, register your Zenith aircraft on Friday or Saturday morning. All Zeniths are encouraged to participate! 
• Corvair Engine Q & A Session: William Wynne, FlyCorvair.com (Zenith Hangar)
• UL Power Engine Q & A Session: Robert Helms, UL Power (Zenith Hangar)
• Aeromomentum Engine Q & A Session: Bryan Walstrom, AeroMomentum (Zenith Hangar)

 

4:00 - 6:00 pm, Saturday, September 22:

BBQ Dinner and Awards Presentation. Pre-purchase your tickets or buy your tickets at the event.

 

We invite and encourage all Zenith builders, owners, pilots, and enthusiasts to come out for a good time! Owners of completed Zenith Aircraft are encouraged to fly-in for the activities and to show off their completed project to fellow builders (we will provide tie-down space and help facilitate ground transportation if possible).

 

Mexico's airport (KMYJ) offers 24-hr self serve fuel at competitive prices (including MOGAS), and has a terminal building with 24 hour access to the pilot lounge (with showers and internet access!). Let us know of any special needs or requirements.

If flying in with your own aircraft, please bring your own aircraft tie-downs, especially if staying overnight.

Zenith owners: Please park your airplane as close to the Zenith factory as possible on Saturday. We'll try to position and group all Zeniths in front of the factory for the group photo at 10:50 am. If driving in, please bring yourself a folding (lawn) chair if possible. We will have chairs and tables, but we sometimes run out...

There is no charge to attend the Open Hangar Day or any seminars or activities, with the exception of the banquet dinner on Friday evening and the Saturday evening BBQ dinner at the Zenith factory. 

Note to builders: You can arrange to pick-up parts and kits at the Open Hangar Day if the parts have been ordered, paid for and confirmed prior to the Open Hangar Day.

We can help you to carpool if you are flying in and need a ride to and from a local hotel.

Camping at the event: There will be free camping available.

Tent camping with your plane or car, or set up your camper in the designated camp area. There's also a public campground at scenic Lakeview Park a few miles away in the city of Mexico.

We'll be proudly showing off our newest design, the STOL CH 750 "Super Duty"

Come to see and learn more about the Avilution "UnPanel" concept as seen in the STOL CH 750 Super Duty:

 

Stock up on your Zenith Aircraft apparel now to wear at the Open Hangar Days event! Click here to check out all of the new Zenith Aircraft items available. EAA members receive a discount and all proceeds support EAA's educational programs. Apparel will also be sold at the Zenith factory throughout the Open Hangar Days event.

 

Zenith Open Hangar Days Participants and Sponsors:

EarthX lithium batteries will be participating for the first time at the upcoming Zenith Aircraft Open Hangar Days and Fly-In. Learn about lightweight lithium battery technology for your Zenith aircraft from Kathy Nicoson, EarthX's dynamic Global Sales Director.

Experimental Aircraft Association 

Charlie Becker, EAA's Director of Chapters, Communities and Homebuilt Community Manager, will attend with the 2014 One Week Wonder Zenith CH 750 Cruzer and will share info on EAA's available resources to help builders, owners and pilots of amateur-built aircraft, including the technical advisor and flight advisor programs.

Garmin International Inc. will be on hand to show the new Zenith CH 750 / CH 650 Avionics Package featuring the Garmin G3X Touch. Brad Brensing from Garmin will demonstrate the equipment and capabilities included in the new Garmin package being offered through Zenith. 

Kitplanes magazine will sponsor the Zenith STOL demonstrations (on Saturday afternoon September 23). Chuck Preston will present a forum on how to write and have your story published in Kitplanes magazine.

Stewart Systems is a revolutionary waterborne paint system, providing builders with the finest, safest, most pleasant-to-use primers and coatings for their aircraft. Andy Humphrey is an A&P mechanic and tech support specialist at Stewart Systems.

Bryan Walstrom, a Zenith CH 750 Cruzer builder, will be representing AeroMomentum engines at the Open Hangar Days. AeroMomentum engines are based on Suzuki auto engines that have been converted for use in light aircraft. Bryan also offers builder assistance/quick-build components through his new company, Walstrom Aviation, located in in North-West Florida. Bryan also produces the new “Experimental Aircraft Channel” on YouTube.

 

Buzz Air Flight Academy (located in Tennessee) will be attending to discuss Sport Pilot flight training as well as transition training to Zeniths.  The flight school operates a ZODIAC CH 601 XL-B / CH 650 S-LSA aircraft and a Zenith STOL CH 750 S-LSA. Buzzy Devoll plans to attend with his Zenith CH601 XL-B S-LSA and will be available for transition and flight training (including flight reviews / check-rides). 775.841.5429

We're pleased to welcome DynaVibe to the Open Hangar Days for the first time. Learn about affordable dynamic propeller balancing for your Zenith aircraft from Matt Dock of DynaVibe, with seminars and propeller balancing demonstrations.

Dynon Avionics will demonstrate the newest available glass panel technology. Dan Tennyson, direct from the Dynon factory will attend to meet with Zenith builders and pilots, and demonstrate the newest products from Dynon, including the SkyView HDX glass panel systems.
 

Corvair Engine guru William Wynne of FlyCorvair.com will attend to show the affordable Corvair auto conversion installation popular on many Zeniths.

Wheels & Wings professional builder assistance. The professional builder assistance division of Wheels and Wings will be represented by Herman Eschuis, an expert Zenith kit builder. Based in Edgewater, Florida, Wheels & Wings offers Zenith kit builders professional assistance in accelerating their kit project.

UL Power will be on hand to represent the new generation of light aircraft engines. The UL Power aircraft engines are direct-drive air-cooled lightweight engines featuring full FADEC technology (with fuel injection and electronic ignition). Meet with Robert Helms, the "UL Power" guy to learn more about this popular line of engines.

AeroLEDsoffer state-of-the art lighting systems for light aircraft. Ryan Edmark from AeroLEDs will attend to represent the latest LED lighting technology, including nav/strobe lights and landing lights for light aircraft. AeroLED is also donating some fantastic prizes, including a nav/strobe light system and some landing lights!
 

HomebuiltHelp.com offers a complete line of "how-to" videos available on DVD, and will have the popular DVDs available for preview and purchase. Meet with Jon Croke of HomebuiltHelp.com, who also produces the popular HomebuiltHelp Tip of the Week YouTube channel

Avilution LLC will be represented by owner Mark Spencer (a STOL CH 750 builder and pilot). Avilution puts together the "unpanel" display seen in the prototype STOL CH 750 Super Duty. The Unpanel is a single extra-large, free-standing 17” integrated avionics display system that replaces the traditional instrument panel.

Wayne Lanza of Composite Design will showcase the company's Power Panels used by Zenith Aircraft Co. and supplied in the Zenith instrument panel kit.

 

Scott "Sky" Smith of SkySmith Insurance Agency will answer questions about aircraft insurance as it applies to building and flying a Zenith kit aircraft.

Viking Aircraft produces a low-cost Honda-based light aircraft engine, and offers complete firewall-forward packages of the engine for installation in Zeniths.
 

Mike Pruett of Scales4Planes will show the newest line of affordable and easy-to-use light aircraft scales, and show and help builders and owners how to properly weigh their aircraft to compute "weight and balance."

Aircraft Spruce and Specialty is donating door prizes and other awards.

The Zenith Aircraft factory will be open for self-guided tours and demo flights are available (strictly by prior appointment).

Check this page for the latest updates

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• Schedule of Events