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"48 State Challenge" to Oshkosh: Mission Accomplished!
Congratulations to Dave Tillema for successfully completing the "48 State Challenge" on his way to Oshkosh 2022 from Texas, flying a Zenith CH 750 Cruzer airplane that he built himself from a kit, powered by a Honda car engine (Viking conversion) with a DUC inflight adjustable propeller. The entire trip was flown using mogas / auto fuel. Dave Tillema left his home in Texas on Friday, July 8, and landed in Wisconsin on Monday, July 18, after having landed in each of the lower 48 states! Congratulations and thanks also to all along the way who generously helped Dave achieve his dream.
Dave is now spending the week in Wisconsin and will be flying in to Oshkosh on Saturday. Visit with Dave at Oshkosh, to meet with him and see his airplane at the Viking Engines booth in the North Aircraft Display area.
Check out the "48 State Challenge" Facebook group for details and the entire journey, with numerous photos, videos and reports from the past ten days, and see the videos from Viking Aircraft Engines of the daily flights:
OSHKOSH 2022 The world’s greatest aviation celebration starts this Monday, July 25! EAA Oshkosh AirVenture is the place to be for all things aviation! Whether you're a current builder or owner, or just looking at starting on your own project, there is always something for Zenith Aircraft builders and flyers at Oshkosh! As usual, we have many activities during the week.
Watch the Oshkosh 2022 preview video with Zenith Aircraft's Sebastien Heintz and Roger Dubbert, as they take you flying in the STOL CH 750 light sport utility kit aircraft to discuss the planned Zenith activities at the upcoming Oshkosh fly-in convention.
Visit the Zenith Aircraft display (#610 & 611) to see the Zenith planes and meet the staff. We're located just south of the EAA Aeroplane Hangar, where we will once again host daily hands-on kit aircraft building demonstrations, showcasing the latest Zenith aircraft kit innovations that make Zenith kits easier and quicker to build.
Come by the EAA AeroPlane Hangar (just North of the Zenith display) and see and learn more about building your own all-metal Zenith Aircraft kit, and even experience first hand how easy it is to put together an assembly that is supplied final hole size match drilled! If you're already a Zenith builder come by the Zenith workshop in the AeroPlane Hangar to learn and to volunteer some time during the week demonstrating basic kit assembly and sharing your experiences with potential new builders!
Zenith Aircraft president Sebastien Heintz has the following educational forums scheduled during the AirVenture week. Plan to attend to learn more about building and flying your own Zenith aircraft:
Also, plan to attend Homebuilts in Review sessions (located just North of the Zenith booth:
The new Zenith T-Shirts have arrived, celebrating Zenith Aircraft Company's 30th anniversary.
These are quality cotton tees made of US components. Contact Zenith Aircraft to order yours today or pick one up at the Zenith booth at Oshkosh AirVenture.
Also at Oshkosh, check out the EAA Wearhouse for additional Zenith branded hats and shirts.
Zenith Banquet at Oshkosh You won't want to miss the annual Zenith banquet at Oshkosh for and about Zenith builders, owners and enthusiasts! This year's event will celebrate Zenith Aircraft's 30th anniversary. New this year, the annual banquet will be held close to the airport at the Mineshaft restaurant on Thursday, July 28th. The bar will open at 5:30 pm and dinner starts at 7:00 pm. Please RSVP to help us accommodate everyone. There will be special guests and speakers, including Dave Tillema, and there will be many door prizes!
Valerie Westedt, a Zenith CH 650 builder and pilot, will be presenting a hands-on workshop class titled "Women's Intro to Building." Women are invited to this overview workshop of all things building. You will learn the different types of skills needed, help available, and the various types of airplanes. Participants will build their own aluminum 3-hole binder, and learn the basics of metal construction and how to use metalworking tools.
John DiMattei is president of Montauk Systems and an avionics engineer with over 40 years of design and system integration experience. He's also building a Zenith CH 750 Cruzer kit airplane, one of the most popular kit airplanes on the market. John will discuss why he chose to build the Cruzer, pre-build planning, avionics choices, the status of his current build, building and shop tips, and the challenges of building a kit airplane in a one-car garage.
Oshkosh Arrival Flying in to Oshkosh, by far the world's busiest airport during the week-long convention, is always an eye-opening experience! From 2021, check out these two videos flying in to Oshkosh with the STOL CH 750 Super Duty and the Zenith CH 750 Cruzer and listen to the busy air traffic controllers!
Randy flies in to Oshkosh for the first time in his STOL CH 750 Super Duty
Landing on the Green Dot in the Zenith CH 750 Cruzer
Check out the Zenith planes that fly in to Oshkosh from across North America (though we're guessing that Dave Tillema will win the "longest distance flown" award!). Photo from 2021:
Note that the Zenith Aircraft kit factory in Mexico, Missouri,will be open all of next week for normal business hours, but please understand that most of our demo planes and support staff will be at Oshkosh AirVenture.
Zenith's factory workshops are popular with sport aviation enthusiasts, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in building their own kit airplane. Participants start assembling kit parts under the direction and guidance of factory professionals, and "graduate" from the workshop class upon completing construction of their own aircraft rudder tail section for one of Zenith Aircraft Company's popular kit aircraft designs, including the high-wing Zenith CH 750 series or the sleek low-wing Zenith CH 650 cruiser. The two-day monthly workshops make an excellent getaway trip to the Zenith kit aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri. Spend a couple days at the Zenith Aircraft factory and meet with fellow aviation enthusiasts - all while gaining valuable building skills and tips. And best of all, a Zenith demo flight is part of the factory workshop experience!