Zenith Aircraft Rudder Workshop
Mexico, MO Airport
Mexico, MO airport as seen from a slow flying CH-701. Took off in about ten feet into the 20 knot wind. Got to fly it quite a bit, had 180 degree turns and VERY slow flight demonstrated. Amazing plane!
Here we are in front of the type of plane we're building. Of course, we'll pick a better color scheme!
Talking with Sebastian Heintz, son of the designer of the planes, and President of the company, Chris Heintz. Everyone at the factory is very personable, knowledgeable and helpful. First day of the workshop has been very educational and fun (lots of work too)
Ronna inserts cleckos, that hold the spar doublers in place to keep things lined up while we drill the rest of the holes.
Tim uses a rivet spacer to mark for holes on the rudder skin
Tim shows off the skeleton for the rudder. This is a very early mock up asssembly, used to check set up and mark skin for drilling. It gets taken apart, corrosion proofed, lots more holes drilled, and reassembled.
Ronna drills rudder skin (lots of drilling in this project)
Ronna demonstrates jewelry made from aircraft aluminum trimmings
Shelves chock full of Zenith aircraft parts
Tim prepares some sort of precision assembly
Now, Tim drills
If you purchase a whole plane kit at once, this is what it looks like when you unpack it
Here's a wing full of Cleckos. They are temporary fasteners that go in holes where rivets will eventually go. They keep it all together while you drill and line up more parts/holes/parts
Another view of the Mexico, MO area
Wall of various props hanging in the shop/hanger
Mexico, MO Airport
Mexico, MO airport as seen from a slow flying CH-701. Took off in about ten feet into the 20 knot wind. Got to fly it quite a bit, had 180 degree turns and VERY slow flight demonstrated. Amazing plane!
Here we are in front of the type of plane we're building. Of course, we'll pick a better color scheme!
Talking with Sebastian Heintz, son of the designer of the planes, and President of the company, Chris Heintz. Everyone at the factory is very personable, knowledgeable and helpful. First day of the workshop has been very educational and fun (lots of work too)
Ronna inserts cleckos, that hold the spar doublers in place to keep things lined up while we drill the rest of the holes.
Tim uses a rivet spacer to mark for holes on the rudder skin
Tim shows off the skeleton for the rudder. This is a very early mock up asssembly, used to check set up and mark skin for drilling. It gets taken apart, corrosion proofed, lots more holes drilled, and reassembled.
Ronna drills rudder skin (lots of drilling in this project)
Ronna demonstrates jewelry made from aircraft aluminum trimmings
Shelves chock full of Zenith aircraft parts
Tim prepares some sort of precision assembly
Now, Tim drills
If you purchase a whole plane kit at once, this is what it looks like when you unpack it
Here's a wing full of Cleckos. They are temporary fasteners that go in holes where rivets will eventually go. They keep it all together while you drill and line up more parts/holes/parts
Another view of the Mexico, MO area
Wall of various props hanging in the shop/hanger