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Homebuilt aircraft design the kit car way, chosing a donor aircraft

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Himat

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 5, 2011
Messages
2,868
Location
Norway
There have been numerous threads on building the cheapest possible, smallest possible, simplest possible and the like airplane. Toobuilder then had a wise remark about why not and that an homebuilt airplane in most cases better have some utility too. Also when discussing building airplanes, several posters remark that buying a plane is often cheaper, even buying a certified plane.

In the kit car world most cars are that get a lot of publicity are "dream machines" replicas of famous sports cars, supercars and supercars wanabees. Probably quite like the kit plane scene. But there have been more mundane kit cars that have sold well. The Dutton Sierra and Rikman Ranger comes to mind. Both estates styled like an SUV, built on the remains of some rotted out Ford. Those that have looked at Hugh Lorimers postings may have noticed the Rikman Ranger in some of the pictures.

Now, when designing such a kit car, one of the first considerations is what donor vehicle to use. It should be cheap, plentiful and have parts that are worth recycling. A well cared for after marked for parts is great plus. In Britain Ford models like the Escort and Cortina have proved popular.

Now, if I was to design a two seat homebuilt light plane the size of a Cessna 152 or thereabout, what donor vehicle is the one to go for?
The FAA say no to use the wing, tail and fuselage, but other parts might be worth salvaging? Not just the engine, but I would look for landing gear, brakes, propel, instruments and other bits and pieces. The idea is to get one plane to strip for as many pars as possible instead of buying different parts piece by piece.

What aircraft is cheap, plentiful and have bits worth recycling?
Are cheap non certified replacement parts available?

Is a Yankee usually cheaper than an Cessna the same size?
Piper vs. Cessna?

Is it really a good idea to first look for the donor vehicle and design a plane around these parts?
 
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