More than a half-century
of the innovation that has emerged from private aircraft hangars,
garages and basements will be highlighted at the "Hallmarks of
Homebuilding" exhibit near the flightline at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
2006. Eleven individual hallmarks celebrate the revolutionary moments in
aircraft design and construction.
"More than a
half-century ago, EAA began as a local group for those who built and
restored their own aircraft," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president.
"EAA has grown to welcome all those with a passion for flight, but
those craftsmen and innovators remain the heart and soul of the
organization.
"Nearly all
homebuilt aircraft can be traced to specific moments or breakthrough
designs that changed that community. We’ll share those hallmarks in an
even more special way at EAA AirVenture 2006."
The eleven Hallmarks and
the display planes representing them are:
-
Pioneering Years -
1903-1952 (Heath Parasol and Pietenpol AirCamper)
-
Experimental Aircraft
Association formed - 1953 (Corben Baby Ace)
-
One-Stop Materials
Kit - Lou Stolp - 1966 (Stolp Starduster Too)
-
Sheet Metal
"Matched-Hole" Construction - 1962 (Thorp T-18)
-
Composite
Construction - 1972 (Rand-Robinson KR-1)
-
Burt Rutan’s
Moldless Composite Construction Method - 1975 (Rutan VariEze)
-
Christian Eagle and
the Complete Kit - 1977 (Christen Eagle)
-
Molded Composites
Construction - 1980 (Stoddard-Hamilton Glasair)
-
Rotorcraft - 1980 (RotorWay
Exec)
-
Ultralight Vehicles -
1982 (Flightstar II)
-
Vans Aircraft
Advances Homebuilding (RV-6)
Each year approximately
1,000 new amateur-built aircraft are registered with the FAA in the
United States. As of April 2006 there were 27,998 registered homebuilts.
This represents approximately 20 percent of the registered single-engine
aircraft fleet.
The EAA Homebuilt
Aircraft Council ensures EAA’s continued focus on vital programs of
benefit to current and future homebuilders. This council of EAA
volunteer leaders represents the homebuilder, and will provide direction
for programs, services and activities that will add value for our
members who dream of building, buying, and flying homebuilt aircraft.
Look for the Hallmarks of
Homebuilding display on the northeast corner of AeroShell Square.
