MEXICO, Missouri — Kit aircraft manufacturer Zenith Aircraft Company hosted its 33rd annual Homecoming fly-in and open hangar days Sept. 20-21, 2024, at its headquarters at Mexico Memorial Airport (KMYJ) in Missouri.
Zenith builders and flyers from around the country flew in (and drove in) to the Homecoming, one of the largest of its kind in the nation, to attend educational seminars and to share in camaraderie with fellow Zenith builders and flyers, according to company officials.
This year’s event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of Zenith Aircraft’s recent factory expansion, and also marked the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the low-wing Zenith CH 600-series designs by designer Chris Heintz.
The expansion project adds more than 10,000 square feet to the Zenith Aircraft kit aircraft factory. The expansion provides additional space for increased kit aircraft parts fabrication, as well as shipping and receiving, and allows for an expanded Zenith aircraft “showroom” hangar area, according to company officials.
In the future, the hangar will also house the newly formed Chris Heintz Foundation with educational and historical displays of the works of aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, the lead designer of the kit aircraft produced by Zenith, company officials noted.
Highlights of the 2024 Zenith Homecoming event included hands-on workshops, seminars, and panel discussions where experts, as well as amateur Zenith builders and flyers, shared their experiences.
Back by popular demand, volunteers hosted a women’s only workshop to introduce women to kit aircraft building.
Visitors toured the Zenith Aircraft kit production facilities, including guided tours of the recently expanded sections of the Zenith factory, to see and to learn how the all-metal aircraft kit parts are fabricated, company officials said.
Select suppliers and vendors (who supply products and services needed to finish and fly kit aircraft) were invited to participate once again at the Homecoming.
Sponsors and supporters provided the prizes awarded to visitors, including Dynon Avionics, Avemco, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, Garmin, Sensenich propellers, AeroLEDs, iFly EFB, EarthX batteries, DUC propellers, EAA, Continental Aerospace, Citizens Bank, Lab One, and others.
EAA Chapter 944 provided a hot breakfast of pancakes and sausages both mornings of the event.
For more information: ZenithAir.net
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