By Joe Scheibinger, EAA 96205
Joe shared a version of this post in a Zenith builders’ group on Facebook, and we thought it was too good not to share.
During AirVenture 2025, one of our Zenith builders discovered a serious crack in his exhaust manifold where the pipe meets the muffler, grounding his airplane. He removed the exhaust and began searching Oshkosh for someone who could help.
Right on the field was Lincoln Electric, a manufacturer of welding equipment giving live demonstrations. We brought the damaged exhaust to their booth and explained the situation. Master welder Justin Wolfram examined it carefully and said, “I can fix this.”
In less than an hour, Justin completed a beautiful repair that got the airplane safely back in the air. When it was done, he wouldn’t accept a dime — not even when offered a tip or a case of Spotted Cow.
This is just one of the countless incredible moments that make EAA special. Thanks to Justin’s generosity, our Zenith builder made it home safely.
