Giving Pilots With Disabilities
A Chance To Fly |
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"EAA Chapter 1083 is literally making a dream come true for AV84all.org. Without their help it would take a lot longer to get this project off of the ground and they are making flying for the disabled a reality."
- John Robinson, Founder of AV84all.org
Rowan Area EAA Chapter 1083 was formed in 1993 and serves to encourage participation in aviation related programs, and to help others experience the thrill of flight. The chapter is committed to assisting AV84all.org with this build, and is looking forward to having a new flying club full of fellow builders, pilots, and enthusiasts in the area.
"When I was first contacted by Zenith about helping John with this special project, I felt it was a great chance to help with one of the most important missions of our chapter - to encourage, educate and promote aviation for all." - Jack Neubacher, President of EAA Chapter 1083
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John Robinson earned his pilot's license through the Able Flight
organization in 2015 (click here for John's story). After obtaining his pilot's license he wanted to continue on the journey of making general aviation accessible for all people with disabilities. He formed the non-profit organization, AV84all.org, and this group build project is the first step in allowing pilots with disabilities to form a flying club with a Zenith aircraft. Other future goals for AV84all.org include a ground school, trial flights, flight training, simulator sessions, and more!
"It's wonderful to see this project come together, not as an Able Flight project, but as an initiative of someone who has been through our program. And it's especially gratifying that Zenith Aircraft, a company that also supports Able Flight, has generously chosen to work with EAA Chapter 1083 to help make this possible. I am hopeful that the success of this project will inspire similar efforts throughout the country." - Charles Stites, Able Flight Executive Director
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Zenith Aircraft will provide engineering oversight to help customize this Zenith CH 750 Cruzer to fit the needs of the pilots with disabilities involved in the project.
"One of the true advantages of experimental amateur-built airplanes is they can be fully customized by the builder to make it one of a kind. The
EAA Maker Edition of SolidWorks is a tool that will be used for the customization of the needed hand controls for this group build project. The
3D solid model of the aircraft offers a huge advantage to the owner/builder/pilot when building their own aircraft, and especially for those who have a specific purpose in mind."
- Sebastien Heintz, Owner of Zenith Aircraft Company
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Aviation enthusiasts are encouraged to become a member of an EAA Chapter in their local area.
"EAA's mission is to grow participation in aviation and our chapter network delivers on our mission in so many ways and what Chapter 1083 is doing is just another great example. Not only will the members of the chapter get to learn and build, but the finished aircraft will create a wonderful opportunity for pilots with disabilities." - Charlie Becker, EAA Chapter Director
Tax deductible donations are being accepted now for kit parts, tools, engine, and avionics for this project at www.av84all.org/donate or by contacting John Robinson at 704.302.3276.
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Zenith Aircraft offers factory workshop events as a fun way for potential builders to gain an idea of what it is like to build their own airplane.
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The workshop makes it easy for first-time builders to learn all about building their own plane - they learn about the required tools, skills, and work space by spending a couple of days on actual construction."
- Roger Dubbert, Demo Pilot and Workshop Coordinator
This workshop is held over two days (all day Thursday and Friday morning), with participants
assembling the complete rudder tail kit
of the aircraft from stock rudder kit parts. Some of the specific skills learned in the construction of the rudder assembly include: reading the
drawings and assembly manuals
, measuring, drilling, de-burring, blind riveting, as well as cutting and filing sheet metal parts. The skills the rudder assembly offers in the factory workshops are what builders need to learn to complete the rest of their airplane.
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Factory workshops are hosted once a month at the Zenith factory offering each builder (and guest at no extra charge) a chance to build their own rudder for their chosen aircraft design.
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Visit Zenith Aircraft and tour of the factory to see how the aircraft kits are manufactured first-hand.
Here's the schedule for the next few months:
Take advantage of the
demo flight
(offered as part of the factory workshop experience)
in one of the factory demo airplanes and check out the excellent visibility that a Zenith aircraft has to offer.
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Zenith Aircraft's factory workshops have become popular with sport aviation enthusiasts, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable
hands-on experience in building their own Zenith kit plane.
Contact us for more information at 573.581.9000.
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Join Zenith Aircraft at the
2016 Midwest LSA Expo and check out our factory demonstrator planes. See you there!
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EAA Chapter 1202 & Fuqua School
Group Build Project Fundraiser
Farmville, Virginia
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Zenith Aircraft Open Hangar Days 2016
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On Friday, educational seminars will begin in the morning and last throughout the day featuring various airframe, engines, and avionics options with Dynon, Garmin, Continental, Rotax, UL Power and many more participating. The knowledge gained from these educational seminars give builders and potential builders an opportunity to learn more about the choices they have when building and finishing their own aircraft. The Zenith banquet dinner will include a fun Zenith trivia game show with great prizes.
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Saturday is packed full of activities including:
- Zenith aircraft show with many categories and prizes,
- Cleco & riveting contest,
- STOL Competition sponsored by Kitplanes Magazine, and
- Flour bombing competition.
There will also be small hands-on building projects in the factory, Zenith Aircraft presentations, and guided factory tours. The event has been extended this year to add a fun BBQ dinner starting at 5:00 pm and live 60's & 70's rock-n-roll music with The Highwater Band at the Zenith factory. Purchase your tickets here for the event.
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Click here
to check out all of the new Zenith Aircraft items available! EAA members receive a discount and all proceeds support EAA's educational programs.
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