Kit planes- What is involved in making them? — Tech Ops Forum

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Kit planes- What is involved in making them?

Plainplane From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 805 posts, RR: 1
Posted (3 years 9 months 1 week 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 3298 times:

What does it take to self-build an aircraft from a kit? I'm really interested in knowing how this aircraft was put together.

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Pilotpip From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3084 posts, RR: 12
Reply 1, posted (3 years 9 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 3291 times:

A bit of time, and a whole lot of patience. Here's the company that makes this kit:

http://www.vansaircraft.com/

Vans is one of the best known and largest kit aircraft companies out there. They have a ton of finished aircraft flying and a really good support network established. I'm considering building an RV-8 myself.

DMI

KELPkid From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 5962 posts, RR: 4
Reply 2, posted (3 years 9 months 1 week 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 3248 times:

Quoting Plainplane (Thread starter):
What does it take to self-build an aircraft from a kit? I'm really interested in knowing how this aircraft was put together.

A good way to find out is to attend a meeting or two of the local EAA chapter and get to know some of the guys (and gals Wink

)... check out http://www.eaa.org/

Quoting Pilotpip (Reply 1):
Vans is one of the best known and largest kit aircraft companies out there. They have a ton of finished aircraft flying and a really good support network established. I'm considering building an RV-8 myself.

They are literally in my back yard here in Oregon, at UAO Smile

Last I checked, they are, in fact, the largest kit manufacturer and have the highest kit completion rate of any aircraft kit manufacturer.

Celebrating the birth of KELPkidJR on August 5, 2009 :-)

Pilotpip From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3084 posts, RR: 12
Reply 3, posted (3 years 9 months 1 week 5 days ago) and read 3240 times:

One of the biggest reasons Van's is so popular is because there isn't much "fabrication" to do. The pieces are all cut, formed and drilled for the most part so you just assemble it. KELP, you do realize that Van's is based in OR right?

These guys are based in Mexico, Mo (about two hours west of St. Louis) and I went there for a test ride. I really think their STOL aircraft is neat. http://www.zenair.com

Their kit is about as straight forward as the Van's kits. Of course "kit" could be simply buying blueprints from a supplier, or designing your own. I've also seen some impressive rebuilds of vintage aircraft. The craftsmanship and painstaking detail are incredibly astounding. What's even more amazing is that many of these are built by complete novices in their garage.

http://www.wicksaircraft.com and http://www.aircraftspruce.com are two of the better known materials suppliers. Both have tool kits specifically tailored for the more popular experimental aircraft out there.

If you can't tell, I've been doing a bit of research on this...

DMI

KELPkid From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 5962 posts, RR: 4
Reply 4, posted (3 years 9 months 1 week 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 3194 times:

Quoting Pilotpip (Reply 3):
KELP, you do realize that Van's is based in OR right?

As am I, at the moment...I seem to have grown roots here, as I just started a family here Smile

Celebrating the birth of KELPkidJR on August 5, 2009 :-)