Build time in kit-planes???

[UnAnswerd]

Imagine a sleek little airplane that seats 2, can climb at 1000fpm, cruise at 160mph, and has a range of 853 miles. Now imagine that you can own that brand-new airplane for only $35,000. The only catch is, you have to assemble it yourself. But if you have the skills and the willingness to do it, wouldn't you be better off than buying a used C-150 for close to the same price??? Seriously?

One more issue. Can you legally log flight time in these things? They're not ultralights, but I'm guessing they would fall into the restricted or experimental category??? If you can't log time, maybe they are a waste of money. But if you can, that would be a unique alternative to buying a used Cessna, so long as you have the skills and desire to build the plane.

 

[avbug]

By the time you put a powerplant, avionics, paint instruments, and an interior in that kit you're looking at more like sixty five grand to build it.

Yes, you can log time in it, but then with the passage of the sport pilot proposals, you can now log time in powered parachutes and ultralights, too.

For whatever that's worth.

How long does it take to build it? How great are your resources? How dedicated are you? Have you ever done it before? Most projects can be completed in a year and a half, if you dedicate yourself nearly full time to the project and have the tools, skills, and experience to knock it out. A lot of builders take anywhere from three to ten years to finish their projects. A lot never finish. Some work on it for fifteen years on and off, and it sits in their garage and gathers dust until it's either tossed out or sold in an estate sale.

How long does it take. The answer to that question is up to you.

 

[Vector4fun]

What Avbug said. Go to Van's site and see their estimates for finishing an RV kit that costs about $25K to buy. Add new engine, prop, instruments, radios, interior, and about a hundred little parts to connect or install all the above, and folks are investing anywhere from $70K to $120K or more in those puppies. I've often though it would be cheaper to buy a slightly damaged Cherokee and scrap it for the parts you'd still need. That said, $120K is a bunch less than what new Cessnas sell for.

Time to build will depend on how much time you can devote to the project, and how much help you can get from knowledgeable people when you come up with one of your few thousand questions. If you've got a good EAA chapter nearby, you're in luck. If not, you'll have problems that you won't know the best way to solve.

My Dad and I, and a retired AI built a nice biplane from plans. (not a kit) Together, we had years of experience working on airplanes, plus boxes of odd parts we didn't have to hunt down. It still took three guys working about 70 man/hours a week, 3 1/2 years to finish.

You want "cheap", buy a solid, well-maintained fixed gear, fixed prop single, used. Figure $40-50K or more for the well-maintained variety.

 

[sstearns2]

Kit airplanes are for people who want to build airplanes. Flying airplanes are for people who want to fly airplanes. Some are lucky enough to be able to do both.

Scott

 

[UnAnswerd]

Well the $35K figure was with the engine, but you guys are probably right. I bet the plane doesn't have a radio, tansponder, nav-lights, etc...makes it unpractical to build time in. Nevertheless, I would like to someday build one of those tiny little airplanes that are just a step above an ultalight. The little Rans S-14 with the prop in back looks like a blast...