Hands-On Workshops

The SUN ‘n FUN workshops have enjoyed popularity with builders that is unmatched by other Venues.

All the workshops are staffed by a combination of amateur homebuilders and professional instructors with extensive experience in the subjects they present. Many of our instructors hold FAA Airframe and Power Plant ratings and/or have extensive experience with vendors supplying the aviation community.

All of our volunteers are dedicated to the education of Homebuilders to aid in the safe and reliable construction of all forms of Experimental and Amateur Built Aircraft.

Most of our volunteer instructors are builders themselves and are enthusiastic about sharing their experience with novice builders.

The Hands-On Workshops include:

• Composite Construction: Two workshops to cover basic and advanced construction. Learn the techniques of hot-wiring foam, and laminating using epoxy resin and fiberglass. The advanced workshop teaches the builder of the materials, equipment and techniques associated with vacuum bagging and vacuum infusion. Workshop sponsored by FGCI Fiberglass Coatings, Inc.
• Electrical Installation: The proper wire, terminals, tools, and techniques for the installation of a reliable aircraft electrical system.
• Electrical Noise and Troubleshooting: Proper installation and isolation of circuits to reduce interference and “noise” in avionics systems. Engines and Firewall Forward Installations: This shop covers all things engines. Engine maintenance, assembly, modification, and installation questions are addressed.
• Fabric Covering Aircraft: This workshop gives you Hands-on experience in fabric covering techniques and doping. We will answer your questions here. Workshop sponsored by PolyFiber/Conaircraft
• Fabric Rib Stitching: The attachment of fabric to wing structures is explained, demonstrated, and taught in this workshop.
• Metal Shaping: This workshop covers the shaping of custom compound shapes in aluminum using an English Wheel, mallets, and how to perform beading aluminum.
• Safety Wiring and Cable Swaging: The proper ways to safety wire by using the proper tools for safety wiring, cable swaging of control cables, covers bolting, turnbuckles, thimbles, and propellers, etc.
• Sheet Metal Fabrication: Includes sheet metal selection, cutting, drilling, riveting and sheet metal fabrication of metal aircraft components.
• Welding Oxyacetylene: The proper tips and techniques for fabrication of aircraft steel components.
• Welding Tig: This program covers aircraft techniques using Tungsten inert gas (Tig) welding. Workshop sponsored by Lincoln Electric
• Woodworking: Hands-on instruction of building a wing rib using the right wood and jigs for the right area of building a wooden plane. This covers the right tools, staples and adhesives for wooden aircraft use.

Many of our shops are FAA-approved for IA renewal and we are in the process of obtaining approval for additional presentations.

WORKSHOPS: (Daily : 9:00 am – 4:00 pm)

For the Convention Attendee who wishes to gain experience and knowledge, our Hands-on Workshops are a bonus not only to the FAA Licensed, A&P and IA Technician but to the Amateur Aircraft Builder as well.

And… the best part, the event entrance fee covers all the training and knowledge gained during the experience.

The cost of these Workshops, if paid for individually, would cost thousands of dollars, but SUN ‘n FUN provides all this for just the cost of admission.