Ed Wischmeyer wrote in
:

I currently live in the Netherlands and I'm looking to relocate.
I've long wanted to learn to fly and build a light (experimental
and/or ultralight) airplane and I'm wondering which countries would
be well suited for that, economically and with regards to
permits/licenses.

The US seems to be in the lead, but the Australian regulations just
loosened up a whole lot. Don't know about the relative cost of living,
taxes, and all that, or where the kits, fuel, etc, are cheaper. US
insurance and liability are out of control, though. Maybe somebody
else knows.

Thanks Ed,

if I'm not mistaken the US knows the category "Experimental Aircraft" for
homebuilts. Am I right to assume that category exists in Australia as well?
I'm wondering if an equivalent category exists somewhere in Europe, as both
US and Australia are relatively difficult for me (EU citizen).

Insurance (and liability), is that the biggest cost factor in owning a
homebuilt plane? If you compare home-building to buying a used production
aircraft, are the insurance costs a lot higher for homebuilts?