EAA AirVenture Workshops

Homebuilding gets to the heart of EAA, and you can learn just about every skill you need to build an airplane at AirVenture. Patterned after the highly successful EAA SportAir Workshops, these mini workshops let you experience a taste of aircraft building.

AirVenture workshops cover the gamut of tasks including Sheet Metal construction and Riveting, Fabric Covering, building wood truss wing ribs, Oxyacetylene and TIG welding, Composite lay-up, Aircraft Engine Assembly and Sheet Metal Forming.

Each workshop is presented by EAA SportAir Instructors, EAA Technical Counselors, skilled volunteers and industry experts who lead you step by step through hands on lessons. In addition, at any given time there’s an airplane under construction by volunteers at the EAA Aeroplane Factory as well.

Can’t come to the AirVenture Workshops? Consider attending a weekend EAA SportAir Workshop at a location near you. For complete information visit www.sportair.com. Map of Workshops location

AirVenture Workshops are included in your admission. No reservations are required.

Here's a sample of the many EAA AirVenture Workshops being presented:

Sheet Metal Learn about Sheet Metal aircraft construction and solid riveting in Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Sheet Metal Workshop, Pavilion 12. Workshops Are Presented twice daily. Adult Wood Rib Building Explore the art of constructing a wood airplane in the wood workshop, Pavilion 19. Sessions throughout the day. Adults only please. Junior homebuilders can try their hand at aircraft construction in the Kid Venture area. Fabric Construction Experience the techniques of constructing or restoring a fabric covered airplane guided by the experts from Poly Fiber. Cover a practice control surface step by step and watch a demonstration on rib stitching. Workshops are presented twice a day in the Poly Fiber Workshop Pavilion Number 13. Gas Welding Learn the techniques of oxyacetylene welding aircraft structures in the Gas Welding Workshop, Pavilion Number 18. Two sessions each day with time for hands on practice. TIG Welding Learn the basics of Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding to construct aircraft structures. Presented by Lincoln Electric Instructors, the TIG workshop will feature a lecture and hands on session giving you experience in welding both mild steel and aluminum with the TIG process. Presented three times per day at the Lincoln Electric TIG Welding Pavilion Number 14. Composite Construction Learn about fiberglass and foam lay-ups and actually construct a composite sandwich structure at the Composite workshop building, Pavilion 16. Two sessions each day. Engine Assembly Gain knowledge about various aircraft power plants including VW conversions, Rotary engines, conventional and Rotax aircraft engines. Sessions will cover operation, assembly, maintenance. Plenty of time for Q&A and up close inspection. Sessions given twice daily in the Engine Workshop, Pavilion 20. Aluminum Forming Learn how complex shapes are created for aircraft from aluminum in these entertaining and informative sessions presented by Kent White, master metal smith, in the Aluminum Forming Tent, Pavilion 21. Aeroplane Factory Visit with skilled volunteers building actual aircraft in the Aeroplane Factory, located at the Workshops Plaza. Each year at AirVenture several projects are underway. See these classic homebuilt aircraft being constructed all week long at the Aeroplane Factory, Workshop Pavilion 15. Workshop Classroom Attend various educational seminars covering a wide range of homebuilding topics. From Weight and Balance and Engine Performance to Electrical and Painting, get the answers to your questions during these lectures and actual demonstrations presented all week long in the Workshop Classroom, Pavilion 17.