Are you a pilot and/or a homebuilder?

[Battson]

It would be interesting to see what the breakdown of the people who participate on this forum is like, so I thought I'd try set up a poll. Hope I did this right!

 

[bmcj]

[h=2]Are you a pilot and/or a homebuilder?[/h]

Yes!

 

[Himat]

I just enjoy discussing home building practices and theory.
One day the modell airplane I build might be big enough to have a seat.

 

[TFF]

I voted but I dont fit quite right. No pilots license finished, but I have soloed in airplanes and helicopters with about 400 hours logged and 200+ unlogged and I am restoring/ repairing a Starduster 1 for personal consumption. I do help, or hinder , others with their homebuilts as I am an A&P IA who just likes airplanes.

 

[thump]

How about people that build and fly ultralights that don't have a pilots license.( I feel left out:cry

 

[Battson]

How about people that build and fly ultralights that don't have a pilots license.( I feel left out:cry

Sorry I forgot you lads over there can fly without any licenses! But I can't seem to edit the poll itself....??

 

[ultralajt]

Did not find proper answer for myself from options given in the Poll.
I am everything and more, but not all of them at the same moment!

First was just an observer and aviation enthusiast (going with father to local aeroclub..and taken on board for some ride..)
then
I was a theory consumer (reading all literature I could get from my father, and later from the libraries)
I was a free flight and U control models builder
I was a Hang Glider builder and flyer..build Rogallo kite and later own designed HG.
I design and build minimal Power pod for Hang Glider
I design and build two paragliders
I was partially involved in new designs of ParaGliders
I was Ultralight aeroplane Student (Storch..didnt finished licence)
I design and build Hang Glider Trike from composite
I was a Sailplane pilot (Blanik L-13, Pilatus B4)
I was Hang Glider and ParaGlider pilot
I was involved in RC model design, build and flying (and still am)
I am designing Ultra Light Footlaunchable sailplane
I still learning aerodynamic and structural design from various sources.. Internet and my rich archieve of books...

I enjoy participating in aeronautical discussions in order to learn some new things, and when possible, to give some of my experiences, views, remarks and suggestions...

Hopefully in near future, I will be able to finish all at this moment open projects...

Mitja

 

[bmcj]

How about people that build and fly ultralights that don't have a pilots license.( I feel left out:cry

It's OK.... FAA's part 103 says that you don't need a license or a poll to fly.

 

[Tony]

I did it backwards.....Went out purchased an airplane...Then took flight lessons...

 

[Tony]

I did it backwards.....Went out purchased an airplane...Then took flight lessons...

At this time in my life not able to build so I look to those whom build and sell. I have found a few whom build for the love of building. They did not jack the price up but sold them for what they had in them.

 

[jarnicoton]

Licensed, own designer, builder ! Test pilot and weekly user...

 

[pittsdriver]

I'm both. I have been restoring (SNJ, TBM3 and CJ6) and homebuilding (RV7, Backcountry Super Cub, Glasstar, Hornet and a few others I helped on) for over 30 years. I am finishing another RV7 and will be doing the fabric and firewall forward on another Backcountry Cub. I do get in over 100hrs a year flying and get to fly a few cool airplanes. Don

 

[Wrongway John]

I didn't vote, because no category for me either. But I’m a pilot who bought an existing experimental already built. You’ll find there are a lot in this category, particularly with Van’s aircraft.

 

[Battson]

So you hold a pilots license, but have not built a plane yet? Sorry I don't mean to exclude people, I guess my thinking was focused around homebuilding more than general flying when I put the poll on this forum, but like I say I can't edit the poll once posted. Maybe a mod could add a few options for the other categories mentioned?

 

[Head in the clouds]

I didn't vote, because no category for me either. But I’m a pilot who bought an existing experimental already built. You’ll find there are a lot in this category, particularly with Van’s aircraft.

Yeah, we need all to vote or the result will be skewed WJ and I think you clearly fit the third option, licensed pilot who hasn't built a plane yet - no?

 

[Kierie Pieterse]

I fit in the second option, holding a pilots license and building a wooden twin. Hope my life span will allow me to do the first test flight at age 78 ( in 2 years )

Kierie.

 

[Head in the clouds]

I fit in the second option, holding a pilots license and building a wooden twin. Hope my life span will allow me to do the first test flight at age 78 ( in 2 years )

Kierie.

Of course it will. Go Kierie!

Happy Christmas buddy!

Alan

 

[Bob Mears]

I think I've discovered that I enjoyed the build more than I will the flying. Now that I'm about finished with mine, I'm thinking about selling it. Might even do another one. I got about 40 hours flying a Cherokee and find it about as much fun as driving a chevette. Landing is the only real fun to me. A 300hp Spitfire should be more fun than a Cherokee, but if it would bring the price of a new kit, I think I would let it go.

 

[Tony]

I think I've discovered that I enjoyed the build more than I will the flying. Now that I'm about finished with mine, I'm thinking about selling it. Might even do another one. I got about 40 hours flying a Cherokee and find it about as much fun as driving a chevette. Landing is the only real fun to me. A 300hp Spitfire should be more fun than a Cherokee, but if it would bring the price of a new kit, I think I would let it go.

My first taildragger that I purchased came from a man whom loved to build. He was an engineer for Boeing. It was his 7th plane he buult. He sold each one for materials and that was it. I missed the 5151, I was a few days late on that one.

I asked him why only materials, he said because he loved to build, his way of giving to the aviation community. I told him we need more like him.

Tony

 

[Nickathome]

I've always wanted to build my own plane. I got my license at age 27. I'm almost 49 now. Didn't own my own plane until 2010. I had been out of the flying game for 13 years when my kids started bugging me to take them flying. I got back into it, and lucked into a well used but decent shaped Cessna 150. The longer I own her the more I like flying and at this time am not so sure I really do want to build. Who knows what the future holds though.