Start Your Aircraft Project With EAA’s SportAir Workshops

Hands-on program teaches essential homebuild construction skills at AirVenture, across the country, and online.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, May 11, 2026 at 12:53 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The workshops supply the materials, tools, and safety gear such as goggles. [Credit: Tom Otte]

Key Takeaways:

The EAA SportAir Workshops provide hands-on training for individuals to learn essential skills for building homebuilt aircraft, covering topics like sheet metal, welding, and composites.
These workshops are offered nationwide through a travel program and extensively during EAA AirVenture, including specialized women-only classes, and are taught by experienced EAA members.
The program emphasizes practical, project-based learning, accommodating all skill levels from beginners to experienced professionals, to instill confidence and proficiency in safe aircraft construction.

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The Experimental Aircraft Association was founded on the idea that building your own aircraft is in the realm of possibility. For those who wish to learn the skills necessary for building an airplane with your own two hands, the EAA offers the SportAir Workshops.

“EAA SportAir Workshops have been offered for 26 years,” said Tom Otte, manager of the program. “There are over 45 classes covering seven aircraft building topics offered each year all over the United States and at Oshkosh, Wisconsin (during EAA AirVenture). The EAA SportAir Workshops are taught by EAA members who have vast experience in each of their fields. They’ve built their own aircraft and assisted with many other owners’ projects. Many of them are A&P mechanics and EAA technical counselors as well.”