anyone ever build a (real) airplane?

bigjeeprob

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2007
Location
kentucky
hopeing for some feedback on building an airplane, i see different sites where you can buy the plans, kits, and rollers. anyone on this site ever build one? looking for tips on what style would make a good first project. i have or will soon have all the tools needed for lofting thru fabrication,but looking for advice on good or bad experiences from different manufacturers. i wont be starting on it till next winter, and estimate it taking about a year in my spare time, which should give me plenty of time to obtain my private or recreational license.
any first hand building knowledge would be appreciated. thanx, rob
 
i would think the first thing you should do is ask your wife and friends if they would ride in said plane after it has been built. It would be no fun having a plane if you couldn't talk anyone into flying with you. My advice is stick with a buggy there usually isn't a several thousand foot drop when something decides to fail on it. or get me a good parachute and i will go with you when you get it done. We just can't tell tammy ha ha
 
Wasn't John Denver flying something like that when got taken home to west virginia?
 
building it is the easy part, having it FAA certified for flight is quite another.

You'll need to find a qualified FAA build inspector and have him sign off several times during the build, and I'd almost guarantee you'll rebuild parts more than once as a result.

Experimantal aircraft have always interested me, and I'd more than enjoy taking part in a build. There is NO WAY I would build one for myself.

My Brother in Law's dad was killed in a an experimental aircraft crash. Van's RV8, this particular plane was factory built, he was enjoying a demo flight as he was in the process of buying said plane in kit form. Left main wing spar failed, in flight, both occupants parished.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/GenPDF.asp?id=LAX98FA171&rpt=fa

in case you've never read an NTSB accident report
 
Until now I had never read an NTSB accident report. That is extremely thorough and detailed (especially for government work).
 
Read the report..... Sucks man. I am sorry to hear about it. Reminds me of the several reports I have read in dealing with some of my friends that have parished in Military related crashed. I have had 8 friends personally die in A/C craches. (2MV-22 Ospreys)

I think the VAN'S RV aircraft are nice. Accidents happen. Most of these little experimental aircraft are not maintained like they should be....... Do the card inspections when they are required and have them done by a certified A&P mechanic and you should be fine.
 
I built one. It was very similar to the one below.
afarm1.static.flickr.com_7_8916571_aa64ff57b7.jpg
 
my dad built about 90% of one then sold it when he had to move

If you can work with fiberglass then it isnt too bad. He built a KR-2. Ken Rand designs some great airplanes, most of them use a fiberglass/foam sandwich structure and are increadibly strong. And a lot of the homebuilt people are either using a VW motor to power it, or they are turboing a 3cyl geo motor.

He is looking into building another, ill ask him what type he is looking into for you
 
thanx. from what i understand in the report, someone had modified the componet that is believed to have failed. modified from what enginneers designed= bad idea. ive actually been on van's site- wasent really one of the ones i was considering, but from what i understand, their track record is pretty good. its nice to think that everyone still wants to see me alive on the trails in 3 years, i appreciate it.
im actually leaning toward buying one in kit form where the major componets are complete and ready to assemble, and you just build or buy a motor, put it all together, and do the finish and fit work. im not stupid enough yet to completly design and build one from scratch. im not an aviation enginneer by any means.
having been up in piper cubs and run of the mill cessnas numerous times, i think it would be nice to have somthing different built by myself. again, if you have firsthand experience building one in kit form, id like to hear some pointers. thanx, everyone
 
check it out

Why don't you check out the Misc for sale thread, there are two for sale that you could get some practice on before building the real thing.
 
those are r/c i believe. oh, you'r being sarcastic. yeah ive had those kind before. hope i do better avoiding trees in the real kind. jon, you are a toyota freak. if toy made one, youd be all up in one- ha
 
Probably should start taking lessons and talking to people at the airfield before you decide on one. It's quite a bit of money, even in kit form.
 
"those are r/c i believe. oh, you'r being sarcastic"

Actually I've always thought it would be cool to have one of those, I just only have time for one hobby wheeling my yota. Seriously when you get that thing built and after you test drive it a few times I'd like to got for a ride in it.
 
I have seen a lot of them....I have repaired but never build

I like the Vans RV series RV-4 is a sporty enclosed cockpit
I also like some of the P-51TF Mustang kits...some use LS7 GM engines.
Hope that helps
 
Go ahead and get plenty of life insurance BEFORE you get a license and/or fly that thing. Make sure there isn't a clause in there omitting payment of insurance on airplane accidents on anything other than paid/chartered airplanes. That clause is in mine and I have to get it changed soon so I can get my pilots license this summer.

Also, insurance on the plane is a PITA because you will have LOW hours with your license and this type of plane will be considered "experimental". The FAA has some different requirements for "experimental" airplanes. From what I've seen, it is mostly with maintenance and repairs of the plane. Most items are not held to as strict regulations that the FAA requires of any other mass produced/commercial aircraft.

These type of builds can be cheap (relative) and fun. Make sure you do your homework because if not done properly, the purchase and build will be the cheap part
 
Get an Aircraft Spruce catalog and do some browsing, better yet find an old 152 or 172 and fix it up. Those would be worth more in the long run, farmers and eccentrics have these things tucked away all over, just have to do some digging. But, if it's piston powered it doomed to crash sooner or later!
 
8379qtj10 said:
I perfer the Piper Cherokee 140 Low Wing w/ the 160 engine
Not me in photo...good friend
ai40.photobucket.com_albums_e223_8379qtj10_2007_1104Image0003.jpg
Click to expand...

my buddy has one of these. he just came and picked me up the other day and flew me over wilmington. pretty cool little plane. can seat 4 and minimal cargo. (maybe 4 bags)
 
My wife and her ex built one about 7 yrs. ago. It was a small two seater, one in front of the other. You could probably talk to her some time if you would like to.
 
airplane..

spend some time at little airports. see what others are doing and ask questions. Maybe take flying lessons first and see if you like it, then build the plane. i too have read many accident reports-mostly from helicopters though...
i would get on some pilots websites...not a 4x4 one...
i'll do some checking when i get to work and see if our pilots can give some advice or point you in right direction...
brian
 
Kevin Lawler said:
I draw the line at building airplanes and submarines. :D
Click to expand...

Proven fact that there are more airplanes under water than there are submarines in the sky !
 
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