The list and variety of homebuilders’ designs seems infinitely varied within the more than 30,000 flying today — a number to celebrate at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008. Photo by Dave Higdon

The homebuilt movement has reached a major milestone—30,000 amateur-built aircraft certificated in the United States! That’s a quarter of the general aviation fleet, and what better place to celebrate that achievement than at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

EAA will announce the honorary milestone homebuilt at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow on AeroShell Square, chosen from among projects that will represent No. 30,000. "It would be virtually impossible to determine just what aircraft is the 30,000th, so we’ve created another way to celebrate this event," said Charlie Becker, EAA director of member programs. "This week we will select an honorary 30,000th registered homebuilt from a list of eligible aircraft flown here that were certificated in 2008."

To be eligible, a homebuilt aircraft must be:

• Flown to AirVenture Oshkosh 2008.

• Completed (certificated) in the amateur-built category in 2008.

• Registered at AirVenture’s Homebuilders Headquarters no later than Tuesday, July 29.

The aircraft owner must be present at AirVenture on Wednesday and Thursday (July 30-31).

The designated 30,000th homebuilt will then be selected via a random drawing from among the eligible aircraft.

This year’s commemorative "I Flew My Homebuilt" patch, which is given to all attending homebuilders, honors the milestone with a Hatz biplane along with the special tribute "30,000 & Climbing."

Other special events surrounding the honorary 30,000th aircraft include:

• A special showcase display for the aircraft on AeroShell Square Wednesday and Thursday.

• Owner to receive a custom-painted leather flight jacket as well as a special plaque from the FAA Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell.

• Aircraft and owner will be honored at the annual Homebuilders Dinner Thursday evening. (Tickets are available for the dinner at Homebuilders Headquarters.)