What Is a Kit Plane?
A kit plane is an aircraft built from a pre-assembled kit of airplane components, allowing the buyer to focus on the building process rather than sourcing the many needed parts. Most kit builders are motivated by the enjoyment and challenge of building their own plane and take great satisfaction from doing the work themselves.
Most kit planes are only big enough to seat one or two people, but there are larger models available that can accommodate up to six.
Benefits of Building a Kit Plane
There are many reasons why pilots and aspiring pilots choose to build their own airplanes rather than buy a certified aircraft, ranging from practical considerations to pure enjoyment.
Customization
Kit planes offer virtually unlimited options for customization. When you build your own airplane from a kit, you can swap out components, fabricate your own parts, and decide where you want to splurge versus save. Building your own airplane also allows you to embrace your creative side when it comes to finishing and paint.
Cost Savings
In terms of actual dollars spent, building your own airplane is much less expensive than purchasing a certified aircraft. The price tag on parts and components is often lower, since the cost doesn’t include line items such as labor, administrative overhead, and brand equity.
It is worth noting that building a kit plane takes time. A single build can take years, depending on how much time the builder has to work on it. Assigning a dollar value to every hour you spend building your own plane can dramatically drive up the overall cost of the plane. However, the point still remains that the purchase price of a plane kit is much lower than a certified aircraft.
Maintenance and Ownership
When you build your own airplane, you are free to do all your own maintenance and repairs if you want. There is no need to wait for a repair technician or secure a signature in a logbook. Additionally, builders have total autonomy over their kit planes and can make their own decisions about how to approach a given repair.
Personal Satisfaction
Like so many other hobbies, building a kit plane can be tremendously fun and rewarding. Many builders relish the challenge of learning new skills and find it deeply satisfying to see their work unfold over time, especially when they get to fly their completed kit plane for the first time.
Types of Kit Plane Builds
In the kit plane world, different types of airplanes offer different weight restrictions, benefits, and licensing requirements for pilots. Understanding the different types of airplanes is key to choosing the right kit.
Experimental Aircraft
Many kit builders are drawn to experimental aircraft because they are eager to test new technologies and designs. Experimental aircraft often incorporate new concepts, giving pilots the opportunity to experience their impact on flight.
Because experimental aircraft are, inherently, experimental, these aircraft are only used for recreational purposes and never for commercial transport.
Light-Sport Aircraft
Light-sport aircraft are small, ultralight, and often less mechanically complex than other kit planes. In addition to recreation, these aircraft are popular for bush flights, utility applications, and other situations that offer limited space for landing. Additionally, securing a license to pilot light-sport aircraft is easier and faster than earning a full Private Pilot’s License (PPL).
Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA)
A technically advanced aircraft, or TAA, is a kit-built plane with electronic flight instrument systems. To be classified as a TAA, the plane’s primary flight display (PFD) and multifunction display (MFD) must both be electronic, and the plane must have a two-axis autopilot integrated into its navigation and heading guidance system.
Unlike a light-sport aircraft, flying a TAA does require a PPL. Many commercial pilots do some training on TAAs.
European Ultralights
A European Ultralight is similar to a light-sport aircraft, with a more aggressive weight limit. With the right engine, a European Ultralight can travel as fast as 200 miles per hour.
Ready to Build? Trust Matco ALS for Quality and Support
Whether you’re an experienced builder or just getting started with your first kit plane, you can trust aircraft parts manufacturer Matco ALS to provide the components and support you need. Matco ALS has been serving the kit plane community for decades by making reliable kit plane components for an affordable price. We specialize in wheel and brake assemblies and associated accessories, all manufactured in our facility in Utah.
Ready to build your own airplane kit? Matco ALS is here to help. Talk to us about the parts you need, or choose a kit with Matco ALS wheels and brakes. Get in touch.