///

Zenith Aircraft Open Hangar Days & Fly-In - September 20 & 21, 2019

Schedule is subject to change: Latest update: Sept. 19, 2019. Contact us for changes or corrections.

9/16/19: Watch our Preview Video

2019 Zenith Aircraft Open Hangar & Fly-In Gathering: Event Schedule

Friday, September 20 at Mexico Memorial Airport

7:30 – 9:00 am Pancake breakfast (EAA Chapter 944)

9:00 - 9:50 am

• Sport Pilot: Flight instructors from Buzz Air Flight Academy will share information and details about obtaining or transitioning to the Sport Pilot certificate (Zenith Hangar)

• Painting your Zenith aircraft: Andy Humphrey, Stewart Systems, will discuss waterborne Stewart Systems paint, and answer questions about painting your own aircraft. Andy Humphrey is an A&P mechanic and tech support specialist at Stewart Systems (U LPower Hangar)

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

• Corvair Engine: hands on demonstration and discussion of light aircraft engine operations, particularly focus on test flying your engine. Note: Much of the information applies to all light aircraft engines (and not just Corvair) so all builders are welcome. William Wynne represents FlyCorvair.com (south ramp by Zenith hangar)

10:00 - 10:50 am

• Flight testing your Zenith homebuilt aircraft, using EAA’s new flight test guide. Earl Downs (of Golden Age Aviation), is a Zenith builder and pilot who specializes in flight training and first flight preparation for those who build their own aircraft, and is a fantastic resource for FAA rules, Sport Pilot, and all things aviation! (ULPower Hangar)

• Scratch-building your own Zenith: Learn about the skills and tools needed to scratch-build your own Zenith just from the Drawings and manuals (building all your own parts from plans-only). Presented by Doug MacDonald, a Zenith scratch builder. (Zenith hangar)

11:00 am - 11:50 pm

• Garmin Avionics Package for Zeniths: Brad Brensing (from Garmin International, Inc.) will cover details on the equipment and capabilities included in the new Garmin G3X package being offered through Zenith.  (UL Power Hangar)

• UL Power Engines: Learn about the popular UL Power engines and about their installation and operation in Zenith aircraft. Robert Helms, UL Power (Zenith hangar)

12:00 pm - 12:50 pm

• Introduction to Building your own Zenith: Learn about getting started on your own Zenith kit project. Overview of the kit, the tools and assembly instructions, with Q&A about building your own Zenith.

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

• Corvair Engine: hands on demonstration and discussion of light aircraft engine operations, particularly focus on test flying your engine. Note: Much of the information applies to all light aircraft engines (and not just Corvair) so all builders are welcome. William Wynne represents FlyCorvair.com (This is a repeat of the morning session, on the south ramp).

1:00 - 1:50 pm

• Avemco Aircraft Insurance: Kim Skipper, Underwriting Manager at Avemco will discuss aircraft insurance for Zenith builders, pilots and owners. 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. (UL Power Hangar)

• Zenith Aircraft building demo. Hands-on demonstration of the new Zenith kits, featuring final hole size match-drilled, with Q&A about building your own Zenith

2:00 - 2:50 pm

• 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. (UL Power Hangar)

• Viking Engine. Jan Eggenfellner will discuss the Honda-based Viking Aircraft Engines, and show the enginge installed in his custom STOL CH 750 Super Duty (in front of the Zenith Hangar)

• Zenith Aircraft’s New nosegear shock suspension system: Learn about the new nosegear “donut” suspension system for the Zenith CH 650 / CH 750 series kit aircraft. (Zenith hangar)

3:00 - 3:50 pm

• Aircraft Insurance For Your Zenith Aircraft: Scott "Sky" Smith, Sky Smith Insurance will answer questions about aircraft insurance as it applies to building and flying a Zenith kit aircraft.

• Building and flying as a Second (or subsequent) Owner. Earl Downs (of Golden Age Aviation), is a Zenith builder and pilot who specializes in flight training and first flight preparation for those who build their own aircraft, and is a fantastic resource for FAA rules, Sport Pilot, and all things aviation!  (ULPower Hangar)

4:00 - 5:00 pm

• Panel Discussion: Engines for your Zenith aircraft: Engine company representatives will discuss light aircraft engines and answer specific details about their respective engines. Owners and pilots of various Zenith aircraft will also discuss the specific engine they are flying behind in their Zenith, and will share their experiences regarding installation, maintenance, performance, and more! (ULPower Hangar)

5:00 - 8:00 pm

• 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. Special guests and updates from Zenith will be given at the dinner. Awesome door prizes, and more! Purchase your dinner tickets at http://bit.ly/zac-oh-tix or buy your tickets at the door.

2019 Zenith Aircraft Open Hangar & Fly-In Gathering Event Schedule

Saturday, September 21 at Mexico Memorial Airport

The Saturday events at the Zenith factory include Zenith factory tours, hands-on building projects, Zenith aircraft on display in the air and on the ground, great food (available for purchase), and fun contests for our visitors to enjoy, along with educational seminars throughout the day. Stay for the afternoon fried chicken and awards ceremony starting a 4 pm.

7:30 – 9:00 am Pancake breakfast (EAA Chapter 944)

9:15 - 10:00 am

• Building Your Own Zenith Aircraft: Steve Oppenlander and Calvin Heintz from Zenith Aircraft will demonstrate and discuss building your own Zenith aircraft from a kit (Zenith Hangar)

• Avilution Unpanel, by Andrew Boos of Avilution. As seen in the new 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 (UL Power Hangar)

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

• Corvair Engine: demonstration and discussion of light aircraft engine operations. This will predominantly take place on the ramp, and will include an inspection tour and commentary on Corvair/Zeniths on the field and a chance to meet their builders and pilots in person. William Wynne represents FlyCorvair.com

10:00 - 3:00 pm

• Zenith Aircraft Show: Public and Zenith builder judged aircraft show (like a car show, but with Zenith airplanes) with fun categories and great prizes. Airplane owners: Register your Zenith at the gazebo outside of the Zenith factory hangar all day Friday or on Saturday morning. Visitors: Pick up a voting ballot and vote for your favorite Zenith.

10:00 - 10:45 am

• Zenith Factory Tour: Travis Kobush, Zenith Aircraft's production manager, will guide visitors through the Zenith kit aircraft factory (Zenith Hangar)

• Garmin Avionics Package for Zeniths: Brad Brensing (from Garmin International, Inc.) will cover details on the equipment and capabilities included in the new Garmin G3X package being offered through Zenith. (UL Power Hangar)

• Tools needed to build your Zenith kit. Zenith builder Mark Pensenstadler is completing his Zenith kit and will discuss the tools he's used in assembling and finishing the kit. Demonstration of the basic tools, with Q&A. (Zenith Hangar)

10:50 am

• Annual "group photo" of builders and their planes in front of the Zenith factory. 

11:00 - 11:50 am

• Basic Rules of Building and Flying Your Own Kit (Homebuilt) Airplane: Charlie Becker, EAA (UL Power Hangar)

• Sport Pilot: Flight instructors from Buzz Air Flight Academy will share information and details about obtaining or transitioning to the Sport Pilot certificate (Zenith Hangar)

12:00 - 12:50 pm

• Painting your own aircraft: Andy Humphrey, Stewart Systems, will discuss waterborne Stewart Systems paint, and answer questions about painting your own aircraft. Andy Humphrey is an A&P mechanic and tech support specialist at Stewart Systems (Zenith Hangar)

• Loss of Control Prevention. Earl Downs (of Golden Age Aviation), is a Zenith builder and pilot who specializes in flight training and first flight preparation for those who build their own aircraft, and is a fantastic resource for FAA rules, Sport Pilot, and all things aviation! (UL Power Hangar)

1:00 - 2:00 pm (time subject to change depending on weather)

• STOL Demonstrations: Short Take-Off and Short (Precision) Landing demonstrations, at Mexico Memorial Airport

1:00 - 1:50 pm

• BasicMed, Sport Pilot and new rules and regulations that affect your ability to fly: Charlie Becker, EAA (HomebuiltHELP.com Hangar)

• Lycoming Engines: Chris Gayman, OEM sales manager at Lycoming Engines, will share information about the latest engine developments from Lycoming.

2:00 - 2:50 pm

• Panel Discussion: "So, you want to build an airplane?" Specifically for first time builders and enthusiasts, a moderated panel discussion about building (and flying) your own airplane. Find out just home much it costs to build your own airplane, how long it will take and what skills you'll need. (UL Power Hangar)

3:00 - 3:50 pm

• Overview of the Skills and Resources Needed to Build Your Own Zenith aircraft: Steve Oppenlander and Doug MacDonald, (Zenith Hangar)

• Viking Engines: Jan Eggenfellner, Viking Aircraft Engines (in front of Zenith Hangar)

3:30 pm

• Cleco Contest: Show off your cleco skills! Come & join in on the fun! (Zenith Hangar)

4:00 - 6:00 pm (or later)

• BBQ Dinner in front of the Zenith Aircraft factory. Awards will be presented during the dinner.

Mexico area map: