Homebuilt Experimental Aircraft, I
Building your own homebuilt, experimental aircraft means dedicating a fair amount of time, perseverance and resources into your aircraft project. Do not think for one minute that this can be done without too much trouble, it will not. It will take a lot of effort, time and dedication to finish.
But after completing your aircraft and knowing that you are the one that has built this aircraft with your own hands, the smoking start of the engine running for the first time, initial taxi and test runs and then the exiting first flight before flying off between the clouds into the sunset...makes it really all worth it!
We will discuss items like purchase cost, avionics, tools and an aircraft insurance. Eventually you will want to buy an engine and a choice needs to be made on which type: avgas or diesel and the power rating you wish. More power usually translates into a higher fuel flow and long range tanks might then be an option for you.
You also might come to realise that building your own aircraft takes too much time and that building is not the way to go.
Some definitions
Before we dive into this fascinating subject lets establish some definitions about homebuilt- and experimental aircraft as they need not be the same type. It all depends a little on your point of view.
Homebuilt AircraftAlso known as amateur built aircraft, homebuilt aircraft are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. This is not to say that these builders do not build their aircraft professionally, they absolutely do and create a beautiful piece of work. Experimental AircraftIn generic use, an experimental aircraft is an aircraft that has not yet been fully proven in flight. Often, this implies that new aerospace technologies are being tested on the aircraft, though the label is more broad. Experimental aircraft is also a specific term referring to an aircraft flown with an experimental category airworthiness certificate (also issued for homebuilt aircraft). The term experimental aircraft is often mistakenly used to mean homebuilt aircraft. While all homebuilt aircraft are experimental, there are many types of experimental aircraft that are not home or amateur built. |
Light Sport Aircraft (US only)
The Federal Aviation Administration has defined Light Sport Aircraft as an airplane with a maximum gross takeoff weight (MTOW) of less than 600 kg (1,320 lb) for landplanes and 649 kg (1,430 lb) for seaplanes with a maximum airspeed in level flight of not more than 120 knots (222 km/h), and a maximum stall speed of 45 knots (83 km/h). Other limitations are: maximum of two seats, fixed undercarriage, fixed-pitch or ground adjustable propeller and a single reciprocating engine.
You will need a Sport Pilot certificate to fly a LSA. Which is easier to obtain than a conventional recreational, private or commercial pilot licence required for normal certificated aircraft. LSA's also have less restrictive maintenance requirements and can even be maintained by their pilots and/or owners.
LSA aircraft can be compared to advanced European ultralights. Most LSA manufacturers have been selling their aircraft as ultralights in Europe for some years now. For example: Piper Aircraft sells the Czech Sport Aircraft (CSA) SportCruiser as the PiperSport and Cirrus has done the same thing with the SRS but has suspended the program.
Introduction
Building your own piston engine propeller driven (or even a turboprop as the Turbine Legend or if money is no object the Viper Jet) aircraft can be a very rewarding project. Don't think too lightly about such an undertaking as it will consume a reasonable amount of time and dedication and it probably will take some 3 years or more to complete your aircraft. This could be much more if you are going to built an aircraft from plans (or roughly between 1000 and 3000 hours of construction, in some cases people have been building for 10 or more years). It helps a lot to have some friends around, preferably builders themselves, to help every now and then.
But believe me, it will be worthwhile and taking off for the first time in your own homebuilt aircraft is something not many people will do in their lifetime. But then again, some of us lucky few will do it more than once.
Why build an airplane
This can be for a number of reasons. Some of us really enjoy building an airplane, finish (and sometimes sell) the project and then go on to build another. For others it can be for financial reasons to build their own airplane, a new factory build Cessna (the single engine types) can cost around 250,000.-- USD (or more) and a homebuilt can be build for much less (but not all of them, though).
Availability
Another compelling reason for having your own personal airplane is that its always available for you. No need to call the aero club for a booking and to see the aircraft is late from a previous flight. Or left with no fuel, diverted to another airfield or grounded for whatever reason. A private airplane gives you the freedom to choose whenever you wish to fly and to come home when you wish to do that. But this comes at a price. If you renting an aircraft more than 100 hours a year it might be financially more attractive to be the proud owner of an airplane of your choice.
Pilot license
Yes. You will need a pilot license (a PPL or RPL would do fine) to fly a homebuilt or LSA type of aircraft. But the fun part is that you can do all the training at a flight school and get your pilot license with your own homebuilt airplane! It's cheaper too (if you forget the cost (fun factor) of building) and you will only have to hire/find an instructor comfortable with the type you just build. Building flight time and getting experience with a homebuilt can be done too, these are legal flying hours.
Plans, slow or fastbuilt
There are 3 main categories of homebuilt airplanes: plans, slow or fastbuilt. Those that design their own airplane fall under the plans built types. This will take a lot more time than a slow or fastbuilt. It still might be the cheapest way to go. But it requires you to obtain or buy the plans (or maybe design your own) and buy all raw materials (these materials must be aircraft quality) yourself. I would prefer the slow or fastbuilt route. This way you get a complete kit (partially built in case of fastbuilt) and you can see results much sooner. Which is handy to keep your spouse happy seeing you making some progress..;-)
Two or more seats
Some manufacturers have more than two seats in their kits. Lancair and DynAero have four seaters (MCR-4S) and Murphy Aircraft with their Moose even has six. Check with your local government if an experimental/homebuilt aircraft is allowed to fly with more than four seats / people onboard. Expect insurance to be somewhat higher with more seats in the aircraft.
Regulations
Homebuilt aircraft have to obey to the same air law as certified aircraft. Some countries have restrictions for those aircraft as the reliability is not proven for certain designs. Low flying over congested area's, except for take off and landing, is one of them.
In some countries is it possible to fly at VFR night and even IFR with your homebuilt were as others do not allow that type of flying with a homebuilt. You will need to check that with your local authorities.
