i'm doing some homework on the rules and regs of home built aircraft ...not an ultra-lite, nor experimental i'm still reading, but started this thrad for some learnered discussion specifically it would be what falls under FAA FAR 21.191(g) i'm trying to learn about some different aspects and specifics / limitations under this?? for example: max size/weight? max # of passengers? hours of flight limitations? ceiling limit? speed limitations? materials? few certain things i've learned are: - 12 month condition inspections - must be built by you (owner) - certifications required i can find much info on some other projects being done, and on the regs in general, but some specifics (as above) are not easy to locate some links i've found on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homebuilt_aircraft http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/ general regs http://www.pilotfriend.com/experimental/rules.htm annual/100 hr inspection http://www.faa-aircraft-certification.com/43-appendix-d.html airworthy duration http://www.faa-aircraft-certification.com/21-181-duration.html
Join the EAA and connect with the local chapter. You'll find the answers to all your current questions and think of a hundred more. Jim
Yep, it appears EAA is what you're looking for. Here's the part of their website for home builders: http://www.eaa.org/homebuilders/
thier site/forum is limited access but to members....i'll look at purchase a membership when i get to the point of more serious... ...being a few who have (are) building, would have some discussion here? another interesting link this is FAR order 8130-D ...speaks about limitations for 3 types under experimental craft http://home.provide.net/~pratt1/ambuilt/8130-27.htm
A lot of the answers you are looking for will be found in your Private Pilots License training. Why do you want a homebuilt as opposed to certified?
Are your plans to build from an existing design or are you creating your own? A homebuilt is an experimental aircraft. It is not certified and operates under various restrictions, especially during the initial flight test phase. There are 'homebuilts' that cover the entire spectrum of capability. Wood/fabric, aluminum, composites (hand layup or oven/autoclave cure) are all used. There are single seat to >6 pax designs, including aircraft with pressurization and gas turbine (prop and jet) engines. In short, depending on your mission requirements there is probably something out there that would satisfy you. You can buy a homebuilt that you did not build. The main limitation you incur is that you can no longer perform the required inspections. Plus you are placing your faith in someone else's craftsmanship. However many of the higher end designs have stretched the 51% rule to the extreme and have been built using professional assistance. But again, these are not certified aircraft and the degree to which the design has been analyzed will vary. Your location appears to be in Canada, seems you should be reviewing Transport Canada policies rather than FAA. Jim
father is states side, semi retired, is a mechanic in trade, but for some reason decided to get his commercial not just private license ...i have further to go built many things over the years, cars galor....we're talking about a home built together for him mostly, and i want to gather info and first hand discussion from those who have done so
I have worked on several homebuilts, Pete Bower's original Fly Baby for one, and several antique restorations. This is an arduous task and one must be willing to dedicate many hours per day consistently over a long period of time. Building an airplane isn't a "big job". It is a series of many little jobs that have to be done one after the other. If you are new at this you will benefit greatly from the experience of others and I heartily recommend contacting the EAA so you don't have to re-invent the wheel.
definately once closer to pulling the trigger, right now doing homework, reviewing the regs, and gathering insights, before going to a decision of which craft in particular, or delving into any technical build aspects i know he likes the idea of a scaled WW2 fighter type airplane our old neighbor built a very intricate home built in his garage, my father helped him with building the engine and gear case ...that project took him many years, we helped here & there ...i remember helping load it on the trailer, and seeing it later on in flight, quite a sight
Scaled WW2 fighters are bad ideas unless you compromise the daylights out of the design. Prototype engine weight dictated a short nose, balance usually put the pilot aft of the MAC and that was usually aft of the wing. With a light weight engine this wouldn't be possible because the pilot would have to be moved forward or a lot of ballast put in the nose. Prototype tail volume was usually too small to replicate in a home built and would have to be changed. If one designed a plane to use an air-cooled RELIABLE aircraft engine, the nose would have to be considerably lengthened, otherwise a modified and highly unreliable auto engine equipped with a prop speed reduction gearbox would have to be used adding to the weight and complexity plus expense. Scaled wing area isn't conducive to the most flyable vehicle either. All this has been done before with variable rates of success, possibly the closest would be the Jurca Mustang with a Fairchild Ranger engine. The best thing to do with your first homebuilt is to build an aircraft that presents the fewest problems in the construction process and something that is easy to fly as a small homebuilt aircraft. I helped to build Bowers original Fly Baby and flew it and I think that this is still an attainable and inexpensive way to go and a very nice flying gentle little airplane.
only found about a few online so far, those have been 1/2 scale, as you say maybe challenging to build one correctly balanced ....i know he wants something with some personality ...somehthing that is more 3/4 scale would be better IMO ...it'll take time to look & evaluate pics from this site http://warreplica.homestead.com/ Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
searching the jurca name you gave, here's a thread i found, follows a man building a p51 mustang scaled size, from marcel jurca mj77 plans (second link) http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Jurca+Mustang&view=detail&id=72028B51FD6222EC7EB1EC085ED9AFBFFC487E22&first=31&FORM=IDFRIR http://www.jurcaplanswest.com/
i remeber reading about a company building supermarine spitfires at scaled size, using jaguar (i6 or v12??) engines for power ...can't remember the name? here's another i came across http://thundermustang.com/ Image Unavailable, Please Login
^^ nice, and $$, but it's a complete kit (likely in the end ones investment would be at least that much $) funny, i was just looking through the jurca plans, this one a 75% spitfire http://www.jurcaplanswest.com/MJ-10.htm Image Unavailable, Please Login
the jurca plans? ...i think those are quite old plans, from 1977 i believe, so maybe the norm then for home builts?? :dunno: check this out, the aluminum wing structure (detachable) of the company link you put up Image Unavailable, Please Login
A friend built an RG Glassair II and completed it is a beautiful aircraft (with workmanship that is second to none)... it took him 12 years. That is not to say all home builts take that long, particularly if you are able (and willing) to spend a lot of time on it, but clearly the time required is significantly higher than that of building a car. Having watched the Glassair come together was great and I'd love to do it someday... just need the time
An Email list/forum I spend some time on. http://forums.matronics.com/ I'm currently working on a Pietenpol Aircamper.
Having watched my neighbor build one for several years, I think if you want the fighter plane look build an RV-8 Image Unavailable, Please Login
Absolutely! These are the best homebuilts ever! The RV4 to the RV8 are winners. Easy to build, beautiful to fly, and the most sensible little airplanes to own. A great design aerodynamically and economically. practical engine choice and an incredible range of performance.
