Andy Ovans, Maintenance Manager for the Aerospace Center for Excellence at Lakeland, Florida exhibited their “Spirit of Lakeland” Zenith 750, a group project that brought together high school students from the Central Florida Aerospace Academy and ACE staff mentors to complete the aircraft for use by the Lakeland Aero Club. The desired end result required some custom work and modification to bring the kit up to the spec, as well as the continuing practice and education of the high school students completing the plane.
The Zenith was built to be a lightweight, hand-controlled aircraft perfect to support Able Flight, a program that brings flight training to students with disabilities that would preclude traditional control layouts. Ovens says the Spirit of Lakeland is just the start, assuming that he has his way.