Zenith Aircraft Company is returning to Florida in December to host its popular hands-on kit aircraft building workshop class. The workshop will be held December 2 & 3, 2022, in northern Florida at the Wheels & Wings facility at Canon Creek Airpark (15FL). Hosted by Herman Eshuis, Wheels and Wings provides professional builders assistance and kit finishing services, specializing in Zenith kit aircraft and light-sport aircraft (LSA).
The Florida workshop will start on Friday morning, December 2nd. The hands-on workshop class is aimed primarily at the first-time airplane builder, and has become popular with sport aviation enthusiasts who are considering building their own aircraft and are unsure if they have the required skills, workspace and tools. During the workshop each participant builds and assembles their own Zenith aircraft rudder tail section from a standard Zenith kit, usually completed at the end of the first day or the following morning.
In the process of building the rudder assembly, participants tackle many activities including learning how to read drawings (blueprints) and work with assembly instructions (manuals) under the expert guidance of experienced staff. They learn the procedures for putting together an aircraft assembly, including drilling and riveting. In the end, they have an assembled rudder that is ready to install on a Zenith kit airplane.
“The rest of the kit is constructed the same way as the rudder, using the same tools,” said Sebastien Heintz, president of Zenith Aircraft Company. “People get far more out of the workshop than just a finished aircraft rudder: they go home with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to build their own airplane. Most importantly, they learn that kit building is enjoyable and something that can engage the whole family. Many of our prospective builders bring their spouses or other family member. With modern technology and good instructions, aircraft construction has become much easier than most people think, and our workshop classes are good examples of this: most participants now complete the rudder kits during the first day.”
The hands-on workshop is an excellent way to learn about building your own amateur-built kit aircraft and about the many advantages of owning and flying an airplane that you’ve built yourself. For many, building an aircraft (from a kit) is a very rewarding experience, and today’s modern kits make it easier and quicker to build than even before.
Standard workshop fees are just $375 (or $425 for the CH 750 Super Duty model) and include the complete rudder kit for a Zenith aircraft. Additional helpers are encouraged to attend and can participate for free. To learn more about the workshop program, visit zenithair.com or call Zenith Aircraft directly: (573) 581-9000 (Mon–Fri, 8–5 Central) or Wheels and Wings at (386) 690-4239. Prior registration is required for the rudder workshop class and workshop size is limited.
Zenith Aircraft Company will be traveling to Florida from Missouri in the Zenith cargo van, allowing the company to also deliver kits to builders along the way as it travels to northern Florida from the kit factory in central Missouri.
Also on Saturday, December 3rd, Wheels and Wings will host an Open House and regional Zenith fly-in gathering at its facilities at Canon Creek Airpark (15FL) in Lake City, Florida. All Zeniths are invited to fly in for the day’s activities, and enthusiasts and current builders are invited to drive in or fly in to attend. More info here.
