It all started in a dark, damp, fuel and oil perfumed hangar.  The dim moonlight seeped through a crack in the hangar doors, picking out, with an eerie glimmer, a shiny spinner.  A large brown and black spider could be made out as it crawled along the strut towards the pitot tube of another unsuspecting aircraft, as they waited for they next flight.   That hangar held within it the 'Spirit Of Building Aircraft', also know as the SOBA.  That spirit, the very source of creativity and adventure, along with tear stains from happy and sad moments, and a smattering of blood stains from cut fingers - were all to be found in this small space.  There was something special in the air, these sentiments, experiences and the thick air of that night, boldly filled the hangar with something special.  

On the floor some rivet stems could be found, swept to the corners where they might be forgotten.  A few broken drill bits were embedded in the floor.  Some aluminum filings were clinging to the grease on the hangar door hinges.   All signs that this was a place where dreams had become reality.  A place where the SOBA had found its place.

This was a place where an aircraft had been built.   There is nothing more magical, more inspiring or more emotional than building an airplane and watching it take to the skies.   The SOBA was truly in that hangar, but it felt neglected, it realized that too few people had known the magic of bringing to life a flying machine... And so, the Spirit Of Building Aircraft decided to seep out into the night, with a mission....

That spirit searched the planet, seeking out minds, receptive minds, minds fertile for a new adventure, one that would light a fire for a new generation - an adventure that would start on a Monday morning in July 2014, and, in just seven days, ignite a fuse with the potential to change the world... 

It found those minds, and they were indeed fertile, they were all associated with the EAA, and they were all primed from years of exposure to light aviation.  The spirit gave them a challenge... To build one plane, with the involvement of thousands of builders - and all in just one week...

That seed germinated, and was fed and watered, supported and sponsored...

Together they met,  they spoke in hushed tones, they doubted at times and yet they convened - they planned - they connived - and together they brought to the world:-

ONE WEEK WONDER - Oshkosh 2014

If aviation were to be a religion, Oshkosh would be the Holy Place, and this One Week Wonder would be the miracle that built strength in those who believed, revived faith in the wavering and gave a moment of inspiration and 'conversion' to those who were new to it all! The One Week Wonder was all about the Spirit Of Building Aircraft!

In the coming years the fruit of this One Week Wonder event, a fully operational CH750 aircraft, will tour the USA, touching more lives and inspiring more and more people - young, old, men, women, boys and girls, to explore what aviation and engineering are really about.  As you read the story below on how this week developed, we hope that you too will find a new spirit of adventure, of development and that you will reach out to discover more about light aviation, aircraft building and the wondrous joy of flying.  Perhaps the SOBA will plant a seed in your imagination - and you too will find the inspiration to build and fly your own aircraft!

On behalf of
over two thousand five hundred people
who participated in the event and are
signed in the builders log of N140WW

See Chapter 1 for the continuation