What kind of aircraft could the average joe build? Could their be variable pitch prop? Glass cockpit? Retractable undercarriage?

How doees one go about building one?

There are many kits out there. From what I hear you just follow instructions and bolt piece a to piece b and repeat that about 10,000 times. Didn't John Denver build his own plane and then subsequently crash it?

Here is a good site.

http://www.homebuilt.org/

[Edited 2007-01-16 17:24:52]

Currently building a "hummel" aircraft in college just now. Hoping to have it finished by the end of the term.

Here is a website about the hummel:

http://www.flyhummel.com/

Gaz

Quoting Airfoilsguy (Reply 1): Didn't John Denver build his own plane and then subsequently crash it?

No, he bought the aircraft from the builder and then crashed it. There used to be a magazine "Kitplanes" that I subscribed to for a while; I did consider building my own plane (being an engineer & mechanic.) I read an article that said, in essence, that if you want to build a plane, then build a plane. If you want to fly, then buy a plane. I wanted to fly more that build, so I bought a plane (a Cessna 182). I did overhaul the engine myself and install a custom instrument panel, though. But if you want to build a plane you can build just about anything you want. Both the Lancair and Cirrus, which are now certified, started as kit planes, and I believe you can still buy kits for both of them.