Zenith Aircraft Company is bringing its popular two-day hands-on kit aircraft building workshop to the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida from January 25 – 28, 2017.
The workshops have become popular with sport aviation enthusiasts who have considered building their own aircraft but were not sure if they could handle the required skills, workspace and tools. During the workshop, which begins on Wednesday (January 25) and runs until Thursday afternoon (January 26), participants actually construct their own Zenith Aircraft rudder assembly from a standard kit. A second workshop begins on Friday (January 27) and concludes on Saturday (January 28). Additional hands-on projects and demonstrations will be held during the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo at the Zenith Aircraft workshop tent.
2017 Workshop Schedule: Zenith Aircraft has also released the dates for the 2017 monthly workshop schedule, and for the rest of this year, is offering a 20% discount for early registrations for the popular workshops held at the Zenith kit aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri. An important part of the factory workshop experience is a personalized tour of the kit production facilities and a demo flight in a Zenith aircraft.
In the hands-on workshop process of building the entire rudder assembly, participants tackle many activities including learning how to read drawings (blueprints) and work from assembly instructions (manuals) under the expert guidance of factory staff. They learn the procedures for putting together an aircraft assembly, including drilling, de-burring and blind riveting. As part of the building process they cut, file and fit the aluminum alloy (sheet metal) parts. 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. “People get far more out of the workshops than just a rudder. They go home with the knowledge and skills they need to finish an airplane. Most importantly, they learn that building is easy, enjoyable and something that can engage the whole family. Many of our prospective builders bring their spouses or other family member, who often encourage them to move forward with the rest of the kit. With modern technology and good instructions, aircraft construction has become much simpler than most people imagine.”
The two-day hands-on workshop is an excellent way to learn about building your own amateur-built aircraft and about the many advantages of owning and flying an airplane that you’ve built yourself. Kit aircraft is a segment of general aviation that is growing while the rest of the industry continues to decline. 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 $375 (or $300 for early 2017 registrations for factory workshops) 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 www.zenithair.com. Visit the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo website for details about the aviation expo in Sebring, Florida, January 25 – 28, 2017.
