Charlie's Corner
May, 2004

PLANS BUILDER: When THE EAA was started over 50 years ago and the founders fought for our rights to build and fly our own airplanes, the stated purpose was for "education and recreation". I'm afraid that today we are getting away from the education aspects of home building. Kits, fast build kits, and now quick build kits are being offered , along with "factory assist" building, that allows the builder to put together his airplane from factory manufactured parts without acquiring any of the skills associated with the process.
The by product of building an airplane from plans is the progressive learning that is necessary to successfully complete your project. Building from plans, one has to master blueprint reading, at least one or more of several skills such as metal working and riveting, welding, wood working, fabric work and painting, composite layups, etc. I fear that when building from a kit that merely instructs the builder to "Place bolt A in hole B", the builder does not acquire the intimate knowledge of his airplane that is required to safely maintain and fly it over the years. If you own a factory airplane, you have the benefit of the skill and knowledge of the professional A & P and Authorized Inspector to keep it airworthy. When you complete a homebuilt and are granted your Repairman's license for that particular aircraft, you have the total responsibility. The more knowledge you have of the details and structure of your aircraft, the better and more safely you will be able to maintain and fly it.

KIT BUILDER: I think that the the current trend toward offering more and more complete kits for homebuilt aircraft is the best thing that's ever happened for the home builder and sport aviation. It is attracting hundreds who would never have attempted to build an airplane before. I, for one, don't want to spend hundreds of hours in my gararge or basement building parts when I can purchase ready made parts and be flying years sooner. Why re-invent the wheel ? We are not making any break through in technology when we are laboriously hand making aircraft parts that can be produced in the blink of an eye, and usually of much better quality by modern CNC machinery. Welding,for example. I'll bet that there is not one amateur welder in a thousand that can match the quality of the welded up fuselages that are furnished by reputable kit sellers.
I think that the average kit built plane is of much better quality than the average plans built plane . Home builders just do not have the kind of equipment and skills that it takes to produce parts for an airplane of the quality of say an RV-6. Many of the kit producers recognize this and have stopped selling plans separate from their kits.

PLANS BUILDER: You've overlooked a very important point. By investing more of my own labor in my project, I will save thousands of dollars and probably complete my aircraft for a half or a third of the cost of a kit for a comparable airplane.

KIT BUILDER: Plans builders over estimate what they save by building from plans. The construction time is so long and the cost spread out over such a long period that they tend not to keep track of expenditures and it doesn't make the impact of one large expenditure as for a kit. Besides, a large part of the cost is for an engine and that's the same for everyone.

PLANS BUILDER: Not for me. I'm going to build up an automobile engine for probably one fourth or less the cost of a Continental or Lycoming.

KIT BUILDER: Well, to each his own, but there goes another year before you'll be flying. You'd be better off taking a second job for a year or so, saving your money and buying a kit and a good aircraft engine.

PLANS BUILDER: Well, I'll have the pride of having completely built my airplane.

KIT BUILDER: There's enough pride for me in the in the 51% that I'll have to build and I'll be up flying while you're still slaving away.Have I changed your mind ?

PLANS BUILDER: No ! Have I changed yours ?