Anyone build a kitplane?

[22lbChevelle]

Ive spent the last 3 months looking into kit planes and home built airplanes. Right now I'm doing a feasibility study for undergoing a Van's RV-8 project. I've met a guy who runs a Van's build technique classroom and will head to his shop for a ride and also tour the Van's factory later this week in Oregon. Anyone have opinions to share on kit manufacturers or their experiences?

For the guys who haven't looked into a home built airplane check out what you can build at home:

YouTube - Crazy Pilot

YouTube - Tree top RV4 Flying

 

[tb3]

what is your experience with aviation? not to insult you or anything, but as you may well already know, you can become a lifeless lawn dart real quick when messing with "experimental" type rated stuff.

 

[22lbChevelle]

If you're talking safety, there are over 7000 Van's in the air today. Its gone past the experimental stage.

 

[Roc87]

The best thing to do would find one already built, then take it apart & build it again so you build 51% that way it's still considered experimental & all the normal aviation fees would be less. There are plenty of "RVs" around the airport I fly at. Guy & his son bought one, tore it down & reassembled & they are out here flying nearly everyday, small motor & doesn't require 100LL. It's a great learning experience having to put one together as well.

 

[tb3]

it aint the safety of the kit-build i was thinking of. more what kind of building/flying experiance you have. asking a question about a kit-plane on a forum like this... i'm assming none, lol!

if you haven't flown before, i'd recomend starting out by buying or time-sharing something thats typically alot more forgiving than the typical kit-plane. say something like a cessna 150 or 172.

also keep in mind that a plane assembled by alot of do it yourselfers that don't have the training and expertise they should on aircraft... may be doing fine for the first 3,000 hours... till you buy it and are on the receiving end of that hidden hairline crack or missing rivet, etc... from the original builder
just stuff to think about i guess

 

[rmar]

I use to fly around in a little Stits flutterbug,mid-wing,65 hp Continental...
It was my dads, a friend had a VP 2. I would recommend going to Oshkosh WI.
if you want to see people fly some wild stuff..

I think they still have a fly in??????? July???

 

[nonoss38]

A good 150 with an up to date annual will run any where from 25k to 35k. IMO they are only good as a trainner. I have a 180 piper. Great plane for what I do. Omaha Ne, to Okoboji Iowa is what I do in it most of the time. I did put around 30K in radios/Gps in it so It could be used for cross country flying, but the norm in a small prive is about 2hrs of log time in a single trip. Thats long enough. Do you have your PPL?? The biggest thing you need to look for when buying a plane is what are you going to be doing with it. Flying around your country side looking and taking picts, Or going to a vacation home that is half way across the country. I have had ultralights that the FAA does not require a dam thing from you to fly. They are fun for a hobbiest.. I take it you probley dont have you PPL if you are looking into such planes. The only thing I could tell you about the Exper are, If I didn't build it I would not feel safe flying one.

 

[charlief1]

I'm gonna follow TB3 here. John Denver was a seasoned pilot and he died in a home built. Just saying so you remember that he had over 20 years of flying under his belt and it didn't help him.

 

[22lbChevelle]

I am just starting my private pilots license, so you guys guessed good.

The van's aircraft aren't considered ultralights so you do need the license to fly them.

My intention for obtaining my license and building a kit plane is the joy of the build, the knowledge gain, and to cruise in style around the all mighty Mount Rainier

 

[injdinjn]

Anyone build a kitplane?

Not living.

Sorry couldn't resist. Out here small plane pilots say that you find your way from Orange County to Palm Springs by following the plane wreckage.

 

[Bruce Urie]

Well, I made one a few years ago, but the .049 engine conked out when the glow plug quit... Never did find it, must have landed in the landfill.....OH!!!!! You mean the BIG planes.......sheesh, sorry.

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[Bruce Urie]

I am just starting my private pilots license, so you guys guessed good.

The van's aircraft aren't considered ultralights so you do need the license to fly them.

My intention for obtaining my license and building a kit plane is the joy of the build, the knowledge gain, and to cruise in style around the all mighty Mount Rainier

Just don't go to John Denver for help.

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[Chuck Leeper]

"I think they still have a fly in??????? July???"

Ronnie, I think they do. It's a problem for some.... They never fly out!!
Wasn't Jack Rousch a "1 way tripper", just last yr??