Shortly after the Midwest LSA Expo each year, a nearby company hosts a homecoming for its builders. Maybe you’ve heard of them: Zenith Aircraft? Truth is, the odds are reasonably good that you’ve either built a Zenith kit, contemplated building one, or flew in one. For years this company has led the segment I’ve dubbed “Sport Pilot kits” — those kits that a builder can fly using Sport Pilot privileges. Lead by Sebastien Heintz, Zenith continues a long stride ahead of other worthy competitors. Our Tableau Public view of the LSA and Sport Pilot kit marketplace was recently updated through 3Q2022 — thanks to Datastician Extraordinaire, Steve Beste! While Van’s RV-12 leads for a single model (47 registered so far in 2022), Zenith is the clear leader in this space. For 2022, the Mexico, Missouri-based manufacturer has already almost matched 2020 and 2021, and those were good years.
Zenith Aircraft’s 30th Anniversary Homecoming Extravaganza; Company Leads Sector
How Does Zenith Do It?
The company has a lot going for it: reliable, proven designs which the company has carefully broadened into related models; stable management; wide marketing and a significant presence on social media; easy-to-build kits made with high-tech machinery to be identical (so parts fit better); regular airshow hands-on forums that physically helps builders experience the process; and, a customer-service attitude highly valued by its builders.Val Wested — herself a Zenith builder and pilot — led a "women's only" workshop, to show women that they too can not only pilot aircraft but also build their own kit aircraft. It clearly went over well.
Feeding the multitudes at Zenith's Homecoming 2022.
Celebrating 30 Years
Others just come for the camaraderie, to see a lot of flying including STOL contests that are especially interesting given Zenith best-recognized product, the 700-series of Sport Pilot kits, are already STOL. Companies like Viking Aircraft Engines, UL Power, and others make more power available to STOL competitors and a STOL event can become exciting.Planning for Tomorrow
As reported in General Aviation News, "A… big announcement made during this year’s homecoming was the creation of the Zenith Foundation, an educational non-profit organization. The foundation’s mission will be to 'promote sport aviation and kit aircraft building as an educational endeavor to youth and others who may not typically be able to participate in aviation,' Heintz notes."Alissa Eggenfellner of Viking Aircraft Engines provides a seminar for Zenith homebuilders interested in their Honda-based engines.
ARTICLE LINKS:
- Zenith Aircraft, company featured here
- Zenith Aircraft Facebook Page
- Zenith 30-Year Anniversary, article on this website
- Full LSA/Sport Pilot kit Market Share information
* Zenith is the leading kit manufacturer for a category of aircraft I call "Sport Pilot kits," defined by aircraft meeting parameters that permit operation by a Sport Pilot with a driver's license medical. Van's Aircraft has one entry in this class, the RV-12, so Zenith can lead Van's in this category. Van's is the larger overall producer as they supply several kits that operate outside the Sport Pilot space (though some models could qualify after Mosaic is implemented).