EAA Chap 1479

Fly-Out to Zenith Aircraft 16 May

Thanks to everyone who attended the visit to Zenith Aircraft Company in Mexico, MO yesterday. Approximately 35 attended the event. It was a close call on the weather that blew through our region early Sat morning, but the forecast was promising, so the XP SkyRiders opted to aviate to Mexico. We had clear skies and a smooth ride to Zenith and the day just got better for the ride home.

We owe a great deal of thanks to Seb Heintz and Roger Dubbert, who rolled out the red carpet and the hospitality. We arrived about 930 and assembled in the the hangar. Quincy Chap 488 beat us there and had started a plant tour. Chap 64 rolled in shortly thereafter. Seb officially greeted the crowd at 1030 and we worked out a plan for the day's activities.

We divided into 3 groups for the plant tour, which consisted of briefings on various manufacturing processes and a demonstration of their computer controlled milling machine, really a high-tech router. This is the machine that precisely drills and cuts the skins for their aircraft. We all got a chance to demonstrate our own metal working skills, assembling an aluminum 3-ring binder. A little drilling, filing and riveting were required. Basically, we used the tools required to build any Zenith aircraft. This was a very popular activity. Drills were whining, rivets were flying, and people were smiling.

Roger from Zenith had fired up the grill and squeezed the lemonade. Two Dogs and Sky Dawg from the SkyRiders did our best to burn the burgers and dogs, but they were edible and there were no leftovers.

After lunch, Roger gave us a great demonstration in the Zenith CH-701. Who needs a runway? Roger actually hovered over us in his slow flight demo. There was a 10-15 knot headwind and he just slowed up and parked it overhead. Zenith then offered 4 demonstration rides in the 701. I collected names and various attendees drew form the hat. Our very own Mike Ordnung was the first winner, followed by 3 members of the Quincy chapter. They were all very impressed by the 701's VSTOL performance.

Binders built, tours and rides completed, we wrapped up the visit around 2PM. Sebastien said it would be great if we could make this an annual event and invited us all back. Those of you who could not make it will indeed have another opportunity to visit. They really put on a great event, making Chap 1479's first event a success and an enjoyable experience!

Thanks goes out to Brian Kissinger coordinating Chap 64's participation and I look forward to planning future events with EAA chapters in our region. It was great to meet and visit with the other chapters. We got an invitation to hop over to Qunicy and see all of their MIGs?! MIG 29s and more!

See you Wed 27 May at 7PM. Be sure to check out our Website for pictures of our our trip. Thanks to Jose Rivera for his photography!

PS Those who made the trip were:

Rod Karlin Brooke Haynes and son, John Mike Hurst Wayne Litherland and son, David Mike Ordnung Jose Rivera-Rivera Bill Newton Greg Starkel