Homecoming Weekend

Zenith Aircraft celebrates their 33rd annual homecoming Friday and Saturday at the Mexico Memorial Airport. 

Mayor Vicki Briggs welcomed everyone in the east wing of the Zenith Aircraft hangar at noon on Saturday.

“I think I saw about every state of the union as I walked up and I’m sure there are several countries here too.” says Briggs “Welcome to Mexico!”

This year was special for Zenith as the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce joined staff members and owner Sebastian Heintz for a ribbon cutting in their new warehouse expansion.

Chamber Board President Josh Frantz presented Sebastian with a progress award after the ribbon cutting. The award recognizes Zenith Aircraft for their new investment through their expansion which exemplifies their, “dedication to the betterment of our community”.

Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin also made an appearance. 

“I just want to congratulate Sebastian, all the people here in Mexico and all the people from across the country that have come here because you have a quality product that you don’t find anywhere else.” says Sen. O’Laughlin 

Every year, Zenith welcomes home customers from all over the country. As a small, family-owned business, it is important to maintain those relationships. Homecoming is an opportunity for aircraft enthusiasts to learn about the manufacturing process and get involved. 

Moving to Mexico

The company began with aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz who, in his spare time, began designing and building on his own aircraft which he named the Zenith. “Zenith” is an anagram of the name Heintz. 

Chris, his family, and Zenith moved from France where he was working  as chief engineer at Avions Robin in France to North America in 1973. In 1974 Chris decided to found his own aircraft company, Zenair Ltd. under which he began assembling aircraft kits out of his garage. 

By 1992 rights to manufacturing and marketing for two aircraft kits (STOL CH 701 and ZODIAC CH 601) were licensed under Zenith Aircraft Company.

Knowing customers could come from anywhere in the country, the Heintz family sought a central location in North America for their manufacturing.

This is how Zenith ended up in Mexico, Missouri, leasing a 20,000-plus-square-feet. location at the Mexico Memorial Airport.

“When I look now, 32 years later, the same principles pretty much hold true today.” says Sebastian as he remembers his father making the decision.

“It’s still a good location for us to be here and that’s why when we look at doing an expansion, investing more in the community, it made sense for us to do that right here in Mexico, Missouri.”

Zenith has called Mexico home for three decades continuing to grow steadily and support its community.

Build your own airplane

The Zenith Aircraft Company builds aircraft kits which are shipped all over the world for customers to assemble themselves. While there certainly is an element of DIY to a project such as this, Zenith prides itself in making the customer experience worthwhile. 

The company hosts rudder workshops for customers to come build their rudders with a team of experienced assistants.

“These things are very simple to build now, but what it really does is it gives them the confidence to say ‘I can do this.’” says production manager Travis Kobush

The company uses something they call, “match drill technology” to pre drill the holes as precisely as possible in every part. That way, assembly is just a matter of lining up each piece.

“The kit has come a long way since 1992.” says Kobush

Zenith employs two full-time welders who build parts and fixtures. The welders are also one step in quality control ensuring accuracy in the welding and cooling processes.

Quality control is a top priority at Zenith.

“Every customer will literally see every part, hold it in their hand, so everything has to look perfect.” says Kobush “Certified aircrafts are certainly good, but if you buy one, you’ll never see 90% of your parts.”

Just beyond the welding department is the new Zenith expansion. 

The main wing spar, which is like the skeleton of an aviation wing, and cabin sides were originally manufactured in their Toronto location. With the new expansion, production of these parts will be able to move to Mexico.

“We’re an open book”

 It’s no secret that Zenith has no secrets. Every year, Zenith opens its hangars and airfield to customers and the community for a free homecoming celebration.

Friday's festivities mainly catered to pilots, customers, aviation enthusiasts and aspiring builders. There was no shortage of entertainment and informational presentations highlighting key steps in the building process. 

The public was encouraged to join the fun on Saturday.

“We have a great airport here to host these events.” says Heintz. “Jay, our airport manager does a wonderful job of supporting us and helping us year in and year out.” 

Guided tours wound through the hangar, past the welding department, through the new expansion, and showcased the equipment. Everything was out in the open and it seemed like nothing was off limits. 

The Experimentals Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 944 was hard at work cooking all weekend flipping pancakes for breakfast Friday and Saturday as well as a fried chicken dinner Saturdy night. 

This is the chapter’s fourth year at homecoming and all the proceeds go to EAA’s young eagles program which gives kids who have never been in an airplane the opportunity to fly.

“We fly kids from age 8 to 17, give them a ride in a plane at no charge.” says Philip Wise 

 You can tell just how much everyone cares about what they do at Zenith. It is truly inspiring to have something so unique and family oriented right here in Mexico.

For more photos, see The Mexico Ledger’s online photo galleries.