One Week Wonder - Chapter Two - A CAST OF THOUSANDS

Over the week over two thousands five hundred people were involved in the build - and signed the builders log - the worlds biggest builders log!  But it was down to a core team, and a lot of organization to make the week come together...

 

THE CORE TEAM:  This is the team that were practically full time in the Bull Pen - that place where the machine was being brought to life.  It should be noted that the core team had not met before the day... they didn't all know each other... they were different folks, all with very different strokes.  But, they all had one goal, to show the world that the Spirit Of Building Aircraft was alive, well and pulling rivets at Oshkosh 2014!

 

Let's meet the Core Team (if I missed somebody, please let me know!)

Name

From

Background

Task

Caleb

 

Missouri, USA

Aeronautical Engineer at Zenith Aircraft

To keep the project on track

Roger

 

Missouri, USA

Test Pilot and build instructor at Zenith Aircraft

To answer technical questions and dive in where necessary

Steve

Missouri, USA

Works in the Zenith Aircraft Factory

Lead teams on the wings and fix whatever might need fixed

Doug

 

California, USA

Serial Aircraft builder

To guide volunteers in their project sections and fill the gaps

Tracey

 

Wisconsin, USA

Aircraft designer, builder and painter

To guide volunteers in their project sections and fill the gaps (and later paint the aircraft!)

Philip

 

South Africa

Zenith rep in South Africa, serial aircraft builder and aircraft fanatic

To guide volunteers in their project sections and fill the gaps

Rob

Canada

Rotax Rep in Canada

Engine Installation team leader

Mike

Minnesota, USA

SteinAir panel builder

Electrical installations

Dan

Minnesota, USA

SteinAir avionics guru

Electrical installations

Jonathan

 

Ghana, West Africa

Zenith and Rotax rep, and serial aircraft builder in West Africa

To shout, encourage and support the teams and fix whatever he could

Patricia,

 

Ghana, West Africa

Zenith and Rotax rep in West Africa avid serial aircraft builder and aviation fanatic

To work with the youth teams in building sections and any other build or installation job that comes along

 

SUPPORTING CAST IN THE BULL PEN:  In addition, the Bull Pen had the 'overseers'; the Zenith Aircraft designer, Chris Heintz, 76 years young was there to keep an eye on things - pulling a few rivets and passing a critical eye over every aspect of the build of this new baby.   Retired, Chris's vision lives on through his sons, three of whom were actively present in the bull pen during the week, Sebastian (President and CEO of Zenith Aircraft Company), Matt and Nick (from Zenair in Canada). 

 

THE AMBASSADORS: Ambassadors are people who have experience in building planes and work out 'front of house' to teach wannabe builders how to pull a rivet and answer questions.  They took shifts and worked the crowds... introducing many more people to pulling rivets than those who actually pulled a rivet on the aircraft.   EAA's Ron Wagner was in charge of the ambassadors, and it was EAA's Charlie Becker, Homebuilt Community Manager, who seemed to run around non-stop to make the whole project a 'go'.  Charlie made sure that everything ran smoothly from the air supply to the sandwiches - and a birthday cake - he was active in and out of the bull pen all week. 

 

THE PUBLIC: What an amazing crowd that was... from freshly hatched babies through juveniles  to full grown humans.  They came in all sizes, boys, girls, men and women -  and from so many countries that the United Nations may have considered sending an official 'jealousy card'.  Seriously, it was as if the whole world had joined hands on this project.  They came and they filled the One Week Wonder with WONDEROURS moments.  

Continuation: See Chapter 3

Views: 418

Comment

You need to be a member of Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers to add comments!

Join Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
 

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...


Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith
:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.


Zenith Homecoming Tee:


Zenair Floats


Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz


Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

West Coast USA:

 
Pro Builder Assistance:

 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.

© 2024   Created by Zenith.Aero.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service