MEXICO, Mo. – Zenith Aircraft hosted its 22nd Annual Hangar Day Sept. 21, drawing an crowd of nearly 400 people.
Originally established as a community event to draw out local people, Zenith’s Hangar Day gradually transitioned to an event that is primarily for aircraft builders. Approximately 25 finished Zenith aircraft kits were flown in, with the owners joining current builders for a series of seminars, demonstrations and workshops.
There were a lot of demo flights and buddy rides throughout the day on Friday and Saturday. Just over 200 people attended the Friday night banquet at the nearby Elks Club. On Saturday, the population doubled as people drove and flew in for factory tours and hangar talk. A local troop of Boy Scouts attended and each scout earned his aviation merit badge.
“This is our once-a-year-day for renewing old friendships, meeting new builders and celebrating the freedom to be able to build our own airplanes,” said Sebastien Heinz, president of Zenith. “Some people are quite startled to discover that building an aircraft can be so enjoyable and rewarding. When they look at the completed aircraft out on the flightline and talk to people who built those airplanes they develop a new appreciation for the sense of achievement that comes with flying an aircraft you built with your own hands…and maybe a little help from some others.”
Zenith will host its 23rd Hangar Day in September 2014. The event is open to anyone and aside from the banquet, it’s all free.
For more information and a photo gallery from this year’s Hangar Day: ZenithAir.com.