Zenith Cruzer Build Log

Overview

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INTO PLANES THAT LOOK LIKE THIS:

Building an Airplane with EAA Chapter 563

EAA chapters across the country invite local teenagers to help build real aircraft from the ground up. Chapter 563 launched its first such project in 2022 (ongoing), and we're always looking for more teenage students eager to learn. Our build mentors are all experienced builders themselves — each has either completed an airplane or is actively building one. The chapter provides the hangar workspace and all necessary tools at no cost to participants.

Who We're Looking For

We're seeking teens with a genuine interest in both aviation and hands-on work. Space in the shop is limited, so candidates will be selected based on enthusiasm and demonstrated commitment. High school students receive first priority. Build sessions run several hours each Saturday morning at our hangar — Hangar 57 at Mt. Hawley Airport (3MY). Participants are responsible for their own transportation.

What You'll Learn

This project will develop numerous real-world skills teens will carry with them through life:

• Organizing a professional workshop

• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and assembly directions

• Verifying that parts received from the factory match their specifications

• Operating power tools, including pneumatic drills, rivet guns, and bandsaws

• Using hand tools such as torque wrenches and cleco pliers

Mentors are also happy to answer questions about learning to fly, aerodynamics, materials science, and engineering, and manufacturing along the way.

The Airplane

We selected the Zenith CH 750 Cruzer as our first project. It's a proven design that has been in continuous production for many years, built by a well-established company based in nearby Mexico, Missouri. Many YouTube channels document their Cruzer build progress if you'd like a preview of what the work looks like. Once the aircraft is completed, it will be sold. The proceeds are intended to cover the cost of materials for a future build, so the next group of teenagers can do it all over again.

A Note for Parents

Participants will be asked to sign a standard EAA liability waiver before joining the project. Aluminum aircraft construction occasionally results in minor cuts or pinched fingers, but nothing serious. Power tools, such as a drill press, are used under direct mentor supervision at all times. We also photograph the team at work throughout the project; these photos appear in our chapter newsletters, which are publicly accessible.

The Youth Aircraft Building project was funded by the Kleimenhagen family and the chapter membership, with matching gifts from the Ray Foundation and the Caterpillar Foundation. The chapter thanks Zenith Aircraft and UL Power USA for the discounts provided to our build team. 

Log 

Click here to access the updated Cruzer build log document.