Thank you to everyone who visited, participated and helped out at the Zenith Homecoming this past Friday and Saturday! We had a fantastic event (despite less than perfect weather) with two full days of educational and fun activities at the Zenith kit factory. Watch a time-lapse video and the slide show of the events.

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9/16/19: Watch our Preview Video

2019 Zenith Homecoming!

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 20 & 21, 2019.

This will be our 28th annual "Zenith Homecoming" 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. 20. 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!

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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)
• Purchase your dinner tickets now

Banquet and Saturday evening BBQ tickets are now available for pre-purchase for the Friday, September 20 banquet and for the Saturday, September 21, BBQ at the Zenith Aircraft factory. Please order your tickets well in advance to help us plan and accommodate everyone, though we will try to accommodate everyone. 

• View video from last year
• Check out the photos from the 2018 event | Photos from the 2017 event | Photos from the 2016 event

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. 

Meet with vendors, suppliers and the friendly Zenith Aircraft and EAA staff and volunteers:

Summary of Seminars: Here's an overview summary of the scheduled seminars:

[This is a tentative list - subject to change]

• Engines, engines and more engine! One of the big advantages to building your own Zenith is that you, the builder, get to choose the engine to install in your Zenith. That's why we invite engine companies to participate at the Open Hangar Days. Returning engine companies include: Continental, Lycoming, Corvair, Jabiru, UL Power, Viking. Throughout the Open Hangar Days there will be presentations by these engine companies as well as demonstrations (ground and in the air). There will also be the now-famous "Engine panel discussion" late Friday afternoon. This year's topic: "Choosing the best engine for your Zenith"
• 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.
• Avilution XFS and UnPanel, by Andrew Boos of Avilution. The UnPanel is a single extra-large, free-standing 17” integrated avionics display system that replaces the traditional instrument panel. See it in the STOL CH 750 Super Duty!
• Earl Downs (Golden Age Aviation), a Zenith builder and pilot who specializes in flight training and first flight preparation for those who build their own aircraft, will share his vast knowledge about FAA rules and issues surrounding continued airworthiness of an experimental amateur-built (E-AB) aircraft for the non-builder or owner, and advice about buying or selling an amateur-built aircraft, as well as details on first flight preparedness, and loss of control (LOC) prevention. He will also share details about the new EAA flight test guide for kit builders. [More about Earl Downs]
• 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.
• Aviation Insurance: We're pleased Avemco Insurance Company will be participating at the Zenith event for the first time. Avemco is the only direct writer of aircraft insurance, connecting you directly with an underwriter who is empowered to solve problems and approve coverage instantly instead of a middleman who simply passes your request on to somebody else. Avemco can approve coverage based on your individual situation. Avemco will be represented by Kim Skipper, Underwriting Manager.
• LED lighting systems for light aircraft. Mike D’Amico from AeroLEDs will share info on the latest LED lighting technology, including nav/strobe lights and landing lights for light aircraft. AeroLEDs is donating a beautiful pair of Pulsar Experimental LED Po...
• Match-Hole Assembly - Hands on Demonstration: Steve Oppenlander & Travis Kobush, Zenith Staff (inside the Zenith Hangar)
• Aircraft Engine Oil Analysis. Larry Nelson of Lab One Inc. will discuss the importance of oil analysis and preventive maintenance practices. Nelson is also an oil analysis lab tech for the US Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) with years experience in military oil analysis testing on experimental vehicles. Larry plans to fly his Corvair powered Zenith to Open Hangar Days from Arizona.
• 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 will discuss insurance issues for both builders and pilots of homebuilt aircraft.
• Aircraft building workshops and demonstrations: We are planning additional seminars and workshops specific to building (and maintaining) a Zenith aircraft.

• 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).

ZenairAir Camper: Come see the proof-of-concept ZenithAir Camper once again at the Open Hangar Days and meet with the builders Alicia and Scott Sutton.

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: See the schedule for actual times and seminar details (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.
• 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. 
• 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! 
• Engine demonstrations and Q&A Sessions.

 

4:00 - 6:00 pm, Saturday, September 21:

BBQ Dinner and Awards Presentation.

 

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. Visitors come to see Zenith aircraft so make sure your aircraft can be found! 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... (Note that non-Zenith aircraft are welcome to fly in to the event but please park non-Zenith aircraft on the North end of the airport ramp parking area)

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 is available, 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 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 (subject to change and updates):

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 participate to share information about Kitplanes magazine, the leading how-to homebuilt aircraft magazine. We are honored that Marc Cook, editor of Kitplanes, will attend the Open Hangar Days!

Earl Downs (of Golden Age Aviation), a Zenith builder and pilot who specializes in flight training and pre-
test flight preparation training in his 601 XL-B, will share his vast knowledge about FAA rules and issues surrounding continued airworthiness of an experimental amateur-built (E-AB) aircraft for the non-builder or owner, and advice about buying or selling an amateur-built aircraft, as well as details on first flight preparedness, and loss of control (LOC) prevention. He will also share details about the new EAA flight test guide for kit builders.

Avemco Insurance Company will be participating at the Zenith event for the first time, represented by Kim Skipper, Underwriting Manager. Avemco is the only direct writer of aircraft insurance, connecting you directly with an underwriter who is empowered to solve problems and approve coverage instantly instead of a middleman who simply passes your request on to somebody else.

 

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.

 

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

Dynon Avionics will demonstrate the newest available glass panel technology. Kyle George, a new team member 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.

JB Ball from Continental / Titan motors will be on hand to answer questions about the latest engines from Titan and Continental Motors for your Zenith.

 AeroLEDs offer state-of-the art lighting systems for light aircraft. Mike D’Amico 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 complete nav/strobe light system for Zeniths!
 

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 Andrew Boos and will attend with the incredible Avilution STOL CH 750 airplane. 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.

Ivan Gromala from Quality Sport Planes will participate to meet with builders and to share information about building and flying Zeniths in northern California, where the company offers professional builder assistance services to Zenith customers.

 

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

Chris Gayman, a sales manager at Lycoming Engines, will participate to share information about the latest engine developments from Lycoming.

Larry Nelson of Lab One Inc. will discuss the importance of oil analysis and preventive maintenance practices. Nelson is also an oil analysis lab tech for the US Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) with years experience in military oil analysis testing on experimental vehicles. Larry plans to fly his Corvair powered Zenith to Open Hangar Days from his home in Arizona.

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

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

Bryan Walstrom and his family, of Walstrom Aviation and YouTube's Experimental Aircraft Channel, will participate and share details about builder assistance.

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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2019 Schedule of Events (subject to change)

• Video clip of the 2018 event | Check out the photos from the 2018 event
• HomebuiltHELP.com video review of the 2018 event
• Photos from the 2017 event | Photos from the 2016 event