Choosing to build a kitplane.
I always thought aircraft were only affordable to the very wealthy...
While its true that new certified aircraft generally start at about $200k for a 2 seat Light Sport (LSA) and 4 seaters, like Cessnas, Diamonds, and the like start at around $400k and up to a million for a nicer high performance model. Used planes hold their value great, but that also means a good 1960's Cessna still can cost well over $100k.
I then learned about Experimental Amature-Built (E-AB) class aircraft, and particularly Kit Planes.
Kit planes come in all sizes and shapes:
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| Courtesy: velocityaircraft.com |
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| Courtesy: youflyit.com |
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| Courtesy: Vansairforce.com |
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| Courtesy: sonex.com |
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| Courtesy: zenithair.com |
Many Kit Planes are far from being true Experimental aircraft, with models that have hundreds, or even thousands, built over the past few decades. Many popular kit planes where designed by real aeronautical engineers and tested by true professional test pilots, until the designs were stable and performed well.
The biggest draw to kit planes is the price! Complete brand new kits can be bought for less than $20k!
The downside? You have to build it! This can be a daunting concept. I can't build an actual airplane that I'm gonna fly. Can I??? If you can't put together Walmart furniture, I wouldn't recommend building an airplane. That being said, if you can put together a bookcase, you can probably build a kit plane. Although, their is a huge range in the difficulty in the construction of different kits. (I'll go more into that later)
If you want to test your kit plane building ability, build a remote control (RC) kit plane. I recommend something in the 50" to 60" range. No matter the type of full size plane you want to build, build a covered balsa wood RC type plane. These kits generally run $200 to $400 for the airframe, and depending on electronics and power plant can end up costing from $400 to $1,000 finished. You don't really have to finish it, with electronics and power, as the real point is completing the process and seeing the results. These kits generally take 20 to 40 hours to complete, and by the end, you should KNOW if building a kit plane it for you, or not.
The most recent RC kit plane I built.
Of course, building a kit plane has a few extra added benefits:
First, you might have to build it; however, in doing so, you get to tailor it to your needs. Have you ever been at a car lot, or searching car manufacturer sites, and wanted this car, but with different seat material, or different dash gauges, didn't want to pay for extra features you weren't going to use, or wanted extra features not available? I know I sure have, EVERY SINGLE TIME I've looked at new cars!!! You don't want to pay for a giant touchscreen GPS, than don't! Or, do you want that giant GPS in a tiny one seater, why not!
The other HUGE advantage of E-AB aircraft, is that if you build it, you can be your own A&P mechanic, on it. This alone reduces the cost of ownership greatly! While you may not want to do every repair yourself, but you can pay an A&P to supervise the work, or help you get started, or whatever, level of assistance you need.
After considering all this, building a kit plane was one of the easiest decisions I've ever made!
Next, I just had to decide which kit to build...