Homebuilders Hangar debuts at Oshkosh

Aviators who take to the skies in aircraft they built themselves will share their tips of the trade at the new Homebuilders Hangar, supported by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co., debuting at EAA AirVenture 2010, July 26-Aug. 1 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co., which has supported aircraft builders and restorers for more than 50 years, is the primary sponsor of Homebuilders Hangar, the multi-purpose hub for the homebuilt aircraft community at AirVenture. The building, which will be formally dedicated at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 26, is located just north of Aces Cafe on the AirVenture grounds in the former NASA pavilion.

“Although there are numerous activities for homebuilders at Oshkosh, there had been a lack of a central ‘home’ that brought everything together in the way that exists at other areas on the grounds,” said Adam Smith, EAA vice president of membership. “Aircraft Spruce & Specialty saw the value of this area to aircraft builders and offered its generous support to this setting where knowledge and information will be shared.”

Aviation legend Burt Rutan headlines the lineup of daily “Homebuilts In Review” sessions that feature aircraft homebuilders or designers presenting information next to their aircraft and answering questions from the audience. Rutan will speak about the design and development of the Long EZ at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, July 30. Additional informational presentations also will take place throughout the week.

“The key to the growth of EAA is the excitement and enthusiasm, and innovative thinking in design and construction,” said Jim Irwin, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. president. “We need to ensure that continues over the next 50 years as we have in the past 50.”

A new display at Homebuilders Hangar will recognize and honor all past Homebuilt Grand Champions, 114 of whom represent the peak of homebuilt innovation and craftsmanship dating back to EAA’s first convention in 1953. This year’s Homebuilt Aircraft Awards Presentation will be held at Homebuilders Hangar at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 31. Homebuilders Hangar also will serve as a social gathering spot for homebuilders, where they can get information as well as meet EAA staff and EAA Homebuilt Aircraft Council members. Homebuilders can showcase their aircraft projects on the “What We’re Building” board, giving homebuilders a chance to connect with other builders and get questions answered, or post an advertisement and survey the “For Sale” board that will feature homebuilt projects, aircraft, parts, and components.

The 2010 Homebuilts in Review lineup (Subject to change. Visit Airventure.org for latest information.):

• Monday, July 26, 10 a.m. – Hatz Bantam, presented by Mark Marino
• Monday, July 26, 1 p.m. – Maverick Flying Car, presented by Troy Townsend
• Tuesday, July 27, 10 a.m. – Legal Eagle, presented by Leonard Milholland
• Tuesday, July 27, 1 p.m. – Pietenpol Aircraft, presented by Steve Williamson
• Tuesday, July 27, 4 p.m. – SX-300 AV Cup Racer, presented by Keith Phillips
• Wednesday, July 28, 10 a.m. – CaraVellair Aircraft, presented by Joe Caravella Jr.
• Wednesday, July 28, 1 p.m. – Van’s RV Aircraft
• Thursday, July 29, 10 a.m. – Cluster Balloon: Science, presented by Jonathan R. Trappe
• Thursday, July 29, 1 p.m. – Thatcher CX4, presented by Peter Beck
• Friday, July 30, 10 a.m. – Onex Single-Place AC, presented by Jeremy Monnett
• Friday, July 30, Noon – Cozy Mark IV, presented by Chris Esselstyn
• Friday, July 30, 2:30 p.m. – Long EZ, presented by Burt Rutan
• Saturday, July 31, 10 a.m. – S.E.5a, presented by Jack Kearby
• Saturday, July 31, 1 p.m. – Belite Aircraft, presented by James Wiebe
• Sunday, Aug. 1, 10 a.m. – Pietenpol Aircraft, presented by Steve Williamson