Related Info:

Testing the Waters (article)

Visiting the factory

Introductory Starter Kit

For More Information

A hands-on workshop on building your own all-metal aircraft

• Click Here for Next Workshop Dates
• Click Here to Register Online
• Video Clip: Factory Support and Workshops 2:23 min. / 4.3 MB

If you've always dreamed of building your own airplane, but aren't sure that you have the required skills, Zenith Aircraft Company is providing you with the opportunity to learn all about building your own Zenith Aircraft kit at one of its factory workshops, where you can actually start building your own airplane. With an emphasis on gaining hands-on building experience, the informal workshops are coordinated by Zenith Aircraft staff and held right in the factory. Small group sizes make the workshops very productive and educational. During the educational workshop you can start building your own Zenith aircraft (the rudder tail section of either the ZODIAC, STOL CH 701 or STOL CH 801), and learn about:

Reading and understanding blue-prints (plans & manuals) - yes, we use the metric system.... Principles of sheet-metal construction The advantages of working with sheet-metal (vs. other materials) Metal aircraft building and assembly techniques and tips Measuring, drilling and riveting (assembling the Zenair kit) Tools, workshop and skills required to build your all-metal aircraft Hints and short-cuts in assembling a kit Metal kit aircraft maintenance and corrosion protection The advantages of building, owning and flying a Zenair aircraft and much more... Click here to view the ZODIAC CH 601 Rudder Assembly Manual (Online Version).

Come prepared to work and experience first-hand how you can build your own kit airplane! You don't need any experience, skills or tools to attend.  Zenith Aircraft Co.’s factory workshop is structured as an informal “hands-on” workshop, to allow participants to gain introductory hands-on building experience using standard kit parts, drawings and manuals, and basic sheet-metal tools.

The factory workshop makes an excellent getaway for you and your spouse: Spend a couple of days at the Zenith Aircraft factory and meet with fellow aviation enthusiasts - all while gaining valuable hands-on building skills. Demo flights in factory demonstrator aircraft can also be scheduled during the workshop.

Sample Workshop Schedule:

"I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for a wonderful experience this past weekend. Individually and collectively, you answered just about all of the questions that I had amassed over the past year. It was nice you meet you all and to learn more about your wonderful product, the Zodiac, and to finally get some first hand experience with this lovely little aircraft by taking a demo flight. Thanks again for the great experience and zero sales hype. I got everything I wanted out of the experience."

-  Steve S.

There are two popular workshop programs to choose from:

PROGRAM 1 - This highly recommended program actually gets you started on your own kit aircraft. Build the complete rudder tail section of the Zenith kit aircraft of your choice. Following the detailed instructions from the Drawings and Manuals, you assemble (drill & rivet) the complete rudder section, under the guidance of factory personnel. You get to keep the rudder, and can apply the cost of this program toward purchasing the remainder of the full kit.

PROGRAM 2 - This very affordable program lets you learn about and experience sheet-metal construction, without assembling your own rudder tail section. You work together with a participant of Program 1. This program runs both days but the last day is optional.

Next Workshop Date: Click Here

COST:

WORKSHOP LOCATION: At the Zenith Aircraft factory at Mexico Memorial Airport, Mexico, Missouri (100 miles west of St. Louis). Accommodations available locally.
Note: Regional workshops may be held in other locations.
Click here for details on visiting the factory in Mexico, Missouri.

Register early, as group sizes are limited. Pre-registration is required.
Program 1: No extra charge for spouse or additional family member. Enroll early to assure yourself a spot.

Click here for workshop registration information, or call Zenith Aircraft Company at 573-581-9000.

For more information:

• "Testing the Waters - A weekend workshop like Zenith Aircraft's sheetmetal course lets you try before you buy" (article reprint).

• Builders Report: The Workshop Experience

Brian Clark, managing editor of Kitplanes magazine reports on attending Zenith’s factory workshop in the July 2003 issue of Kitplanes magazine: He concludes that it’s "…a worthwhile investment to attend a workshop before making the larger decision of whether to build the kit." ("Try Before you Buy" by Brian Clark, pages 54-57, July 2003).

Safety:
Children under 16 years of age are not permitted in the factory area unless under direct adult supervision.  The factory is not a safe play area for children.
While in the factory and while working on the rudder kit, please use good common-sense safety practices:  Wear the supplied eye protection, and use caution with power tools and around sharp objects.

Can't schedule to attend a workshop or travel to the factory?
Order the Starter Kit and have it delivered to your door

Building the rudder at the factory workshop. (12/06)		Notice the demo aircraft in the background. (12/06)

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© Zenith Aircraft Company
2008-07-22