Zenith
Aircraft Company's 22nd Annual
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Photos from the 2013 event |
Video Clip from past years |
All aviation enthusiasts, especially builders and owners of Zenith Aircraft kit planes, are invited to drive or fly-in for the day. The Zenith Aircraft kit production facilities will be open for factory tours and Zenith's factory demonstrator airplanes will be on display - on the ground and in the air! Company staff will demonstrate kit production and fabrication techniques used in producing the all-metal kit aircraft parts made at the Zenith Aircraft factory.
promote workshop sept 17 & 18
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Click here to view photos and video clips from the
2013 Open Hangar Day ***
Beginning on Friday, September 19, we have many activities planned, including a series of hands-on educational and informative workshops for existing Zenith owners and builders, as well as for new builders just getting started (or just thinking of starting their own kit aircraft project).
Once again, we have scheduled an informal "Zenith banquet" dinner and social gathering on Friday evening:
The Zenith Banquet
will be held at the 6 pm on Friday, September 19, at the Mexico Elks
Club next to the airport [map]
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Following is last year's schedule - please check this page for the latest updates. We will be starting seminars this year on Friday morning: 08/21/2014
11:30 - 12:30 pm, Friday, September 20, 2013: UL Power Lunch (in front of the Zenith factory) provided by UL Power light aircraft engines.
12:30 - 1:45 pm, Friday, September 20, 2013:
- Dynon Avionics:
Michael Schofield from the Dynon factory will demonstrate and explain
the features and capabilities of the popular Dynon SkyView
glass panel display system, as well as the new SkyView COM radio /
intercom and the handheld Pocket Panel.
- Jabiru Aircraft
Engines, presented by Jabiru
USA. This informative workshop will cover everything you've always
wanted to know about operating and maintaining the popular Jabiru
aircraft engines (Seminar Location: Zenith factory)
- Performing a proper aircraft Weight & Balance on a newly built kit plane is something every builder needs to do before a first flight. Zenith builder Mike Pruett of Scales4Planes.com will show you how this can be done quickly and easily. Mike will weigh an actual Zenith aircraft and work through the Weight and Balance report for the aircraft, using the light aircraft scales offered by Scales4Planes.com. (Seminar Location: Zenith factory)
2:00 - 3:15 pm, Friday, September 20, 2013:
- Experimental Aircraft
Association. Charlie Becker, EAA's Director of Communities
& Homebuilt Community Manager, will present information on EAA's
available resources to help builders, owners and pilots of
amateur-built aircraft, including the technical advisor and flight
advisor programs. Charlie will provide an update from EAA
headquarters.
- Zenith Design &
Construction Standards. Learn about and understand the
design and construction standards to build and maintain your own
Zenith kit aircraft.
- First flight preparedness and transition training is an important part of being able to safely enjoy your Zenith kit aircraft, whether you are the builder or the second (or third) owner of a completed kit. Robert Wood is a Zenith builder and owner and a flight instructor, and he will share information on the importance of first flight preparedness and transition training before you fly your Zenith.
3:30 - 4:45 pm, Friday, September 20, 2013:
- Painting Your
All-Metal Zenith: Mike Loehle of Loehle Aero Coatings will discuss
aircraft painting, covering everything you need to know about painting
your own airplane, with in-depth information on painting your
all-metal Zenith using Loehle Aero Coatings high quality aircraft
finishes.
- Aircraft Insurance
can be complicated and confusing. Scott "Sky" Smith of SkySmith
Insurance Agency (in Iowa) will discuss aircraft insurance as it
applies to building and flying a Zenith, and will answer questions
from Zenith builders, owners and pilots about insuring their project.
- Viking Engine: Jan Eggenfellner will talk about the Viking Honda-based engine and about its use and installation in Zenith kit planes. (Seminar Location: in front of Zenith factory).
6:00 - 9:00 pm, Friday, September 20, 2013:
Zenith Builders Banquet at the Elks Lodge (right next to the airport). This is an informal social buffet dinner gathering of Zenith enthusiasts, builders, pilots and employees. Cost: $16.00 per person. RSVP. Cash bar, opens at 5 pm.
Zenith factory demo
aircraft with new Quick Build Kit assemblies
Starting at 9 am we will have a number of short informal seminars about building and flying your aircraft.
- Continental Motors will also host a complimentary "Continental Breakfast" for Zenith builders and owners on Saturday morning from 8 am - 9 am.
- Join us at 10:30 am in front of the factory for the annual Zenith Aircraft Company Open Hangar Day Group Photo. Everyone is welcome!
Participants and activities include:
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Hands-on Workshop: Visitors will be given the opportunity to "build their own" aircraft-aluminum binder for their Zenith documentation, as well as a custom made 3-ring all-metal binder assembly project. |
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Experimental Aircraft Association Charlie Becker, EAA's Director of Communities & Homebuilt Community Manager, 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, and he will provide an update from EAA headquarters. |
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Dynon Avionics will demonstrate the newest available glass panel technology, including the SkyView and Pocket Panel portable EFIS, and the new SkyView COM Radio and Two-Place Stereo Intercom. |
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Continental Motors will attend to meet with builders and show the lightweight O-200D engine, a popular engine choice with many Zenith builders. |
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Sensenich Propellers will be represented by Charley Denny. Sensenich manufactures modern wood and composite propellers, including two and three blade ground adjustable props, installed on many Zeniths. |
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UL Power North America 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). |
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Free catalogs from Aircraft Spruce & Specialty will be available, and the homebuilders and pilots superstore is donating a number of great door prizes to be awarded at the Zenith Builder Banquet on Friday evening prior to the Open Hangar Day. |
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Jabiru USA, distributor of Jabiru engines, will be on hand to answer Jabiru engine installation, operation and maintenance questions. |
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Scott "Sky" Smith of SkySmith Insurance Agency will answer questions about aircraft insurance as it applies to building and flying a Zenith kit aircraft. |
SkySmith |
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Bob
Wood of Global AeroSport Flying will
share information about transition training, first flight preparedness
and Sport Pilot flight training. Bob is a professional pilot and |
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Mike and Sandy Loehle of Loehle Aero Coatings will share information about painting your Zenith aircraft using Loehle Aero Coatings high quality aircraft finishes. |
Loehle Aero |
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Wick's Aircraft Supplies is donating a number of door prizes to be awarded at the Zenith Builder Banquet on Friday evening prior to the Open Hangar Day. |
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Corvair Engine guru William Wynne of FlyCorvair.com will attend to show the affordable Corvair auto conversion installation popular on many Zeniths |
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FlyCorvair will host "Corvair College #26" right before the Open Hangar Day in Mexico, Missouri. |
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Scales4Planes.com - Zenith builder Mike Pruett will show his light aircraft weighing equipment and show builders and owners how to properly weigh their aircraft and compute a proper "weight and balance" for their aircraft. |
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| Viking Aircraft produces a low-cost Honda-based 110-hp engine, and offers complete firewall-forward packages of the engine for installation in Zeniths. |
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HomebuiltHelp.com offers a complete line of "how-to" videos available on DVD, and will have the popular DVDs available for preview and purchase. |
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Aumie and Buzz Devoll of 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. |
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| George & Martha Happ from Matco Mfg., maker of light aircraft wheels and brakes used on many Zeniths, will be on hand to discuss the company's products and how to best install and operate them on your Zenith. |
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Wayne Lanza of Composite Design will showcase the company's new Light Sport Power Panel used by Zenith Aircraft Co. and supplied in the Zenith instrument panel kit. |
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Chuck Preston from Kitplanes magazine ("The Homebuilt Aircraft Authority") will attend to meet with Zenith builders and suppliers. |
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Zenith Aircraft kits, options, and parts will be on display and available to order. |
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Customer Projects:
Existing Zenith Aircraft builders and owners enjoy sharing
information and details about building and flying their aircraft,
and will be available to discuss construction, finishing (paint,
upholstery, avionics, alternative engines, etc.) and flying their
aircraft creations. Builders and pilots: Bring your photos to share with
fellow builders, and let us know if you would like some indoor
space for a display or presentation. |
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Factory demonstrator aircraft:
The new Zenith CH 750 Cruzer and the popular Zenith CH 650, STOL CH 701, and STOL CH 750 factory demonstrator aircraft will be parked at the factory. Demonstrations flights may be available by prior arrangement only.
Food and refreshments will be available at the airport: There will be a hot lunch available for purchase at the airport on Saturday.
Note: Zenith will be holding a Rudder Workshop on Thursday and Friday prior to the Open Hangar Day activities.
Accommodations:
Due to the large number of visitors to Mexico on September 20 &
21, local
hotels may fill up quickly. There are numerous additional hotels in the general area, as well as camping
sites. Click here for additional information on accommodations.
We can help you to carpool if you are flying in and need a ride to and
from a local hotel. Let us know how we can help you.
| Zenith Builders and Pilots: 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, and has a new 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, 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 10:30 am. If driving in, please bring yourself a folding (lawn) chair if possible. We will have chairs and picnic tables, but we sometimes run out... There is no charge to attend the Open Hangar Day or any seminars, with the exception of the banquet dinner on Friday evening. Check this page for the latest updates and schedule. Please contact us if you have ideas, requests or capabilities to make the Open Hangar and Fly-In Gathering both a fun and educational event. 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. |
Hundreds of builders and enthusiasts attended last year's Open Hangar Day in Mexico, Missouri. The gathering is an excellent opportunity for owners and builders of Zenith Aircraft kits to meet each other and to tour the Zenith Aircraft facilities.
Located in scenic mid-Missouri, all pilots and aviation enthusiasts are invited to drive or fly in to attend Zenith Aircraft Co.'s annual ‘Open Hangar and Fly-In’ day. For more information on attending, please call Zenith Aircraft at (573) 581-9000 or the Mexico Airport at (573) 581-0162.
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Photos
from previous Open Hangar Days.
Photos from past events: |
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Discussing engine installations. |
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Seminar on inspecting a Zenith aircraft prior to first flight, and how to adequately preflight your aircraft before every flight. This seminar included an actual inspection using a itemized checklist. |
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Typically several dozen Zeniths fly-in for the Open Hangar day activities. |
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Workshops and seminars kept builders busy all day. |
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Volunteers cook pork steaks for lunch.... |
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Owners of completed Zenith Aircraft flew in for the activities and to show off their completed projects to fellow builders. |
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Friday evening Zenith banquet (Note: the event is now held indoors) |
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Builders and their planes pose in front of the Zenith factory for the traditional group photo: Join us and be part of our annual Zenith Group Photo at 10:30 on Saturday morning. We'll try to include as many Zeniths as possible in the group photo. |
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Workshop on building your own Zenith from plans-only, covering the tools, materials and skills needed to build your own Zenith plane from just a set of blueprints (as opposed to the kit). |
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Builders were given the opportunity to "build their own" all-metal binder for the Zenith plans set. |
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Video
Clip from the previous years...
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More Info:
Related Info:
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Note: All scheduled events and times are subject to cancellation or change without prior notice. [Back] |
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