Buying/selling homebuilts

Browsing controller.com I noticed that there is a category for
homebuilt/experimental aircraft. My limited understanding of
homebuilt aircraft is that it is an experimental plane, built for the
pleasure/education of the builder. The builder of said plane, being
the mfr, may work on it or an A&P mechanic can.

I didn't think the FAA would allow someone to legally fly an
experimental they bought; however, the number of planes on controller
indicate that this is allowed or at least not enforced. I am curious
then about a few things:

1. Are there people who just build kit/plan planes to sell them?
2. Does the FAA simply choose to ignore them?
3. What responsibilities does the builder have with the plane?
4. As the owner of a homebuilt they didn't build, can the purchaser
work on the plane or does it now become like a 172 that must be
repaired by an A&P guy?
5. How much can you trust a purchased homebuilt? I know they have to
get an airworthiness inspection to fly but that doesn't mean it was
built well. Is there a certain minimum level of quality a plane must
have to get the certificate?

es330td wrote:
Browsing controller.com I noticed that there is a category for
homebuilt/experimental aircraft. My limited understanding of
homebuilt aircraft is that it is an experimental plane, built for the
pleasure/education of the builder. The builder of said plane, being
the mfr, may work on it or an A&P mechanic can.

I didn't think the FAA would allow someone to legally fly an
experimental they bought; however, the number of planes on controller
indicate that this is allowed or at least not enforced. I am curious
then about a few things:

1. Are there people who just build kit/plan planes to sell them?
2. Does the FAA simply choose to ignore them?
3. What responsibilities does the builder have with the plane?
4. As the owner of a homebuilt they didn't build, can the purchaser
work on the plane or does it now become like a 172 that must be
repaired by an A&P guy?
5. How much can you trust a purchased homebuilt? I know they have to
get an airworthiness inspection to fly but that doesn't mean it was
built well. Is there a certain minimum level of quality a plane must
have to get the certificate?

What you think that once you build a HB you are stuck with it for life.
Of course you can sell it and the new owner can fly it. Now for your
questions.

1. Yes there are people that build Exp-HBs JUST to sell them. And it is
a violation.
2. The FAA is going to come down on these guys sooner or later.
3. That is a legal question that doesn't have a lot of case law on it.
4. The owner or anybody else can work on a Exp-HB. What he can't do is
the annual inspection. Only an A&P or the original builder who got the
Repairman's certificate can do that.
5. Like any aircraft you should get someone you trust to go over it.

On Feb 6, 5:47*pm, Gig 601XL Builder
wrote:


Well...It didn't make sense to me that only the builder of a plane can
fly it; what would happen when they eventually pass on? Are all
builders supposed to be buried in their plane? Since I don't have a
HB (though there are a couple I'd like) I really didn't know anything
the actual rules.

On Feb 6, 5:00*pm, es330td wrote:
On Feb 6, 5:47*pm, Gig 601XL Builder
wrote:

Well...It didn't make sense to me that only the builder of a plane can
fly it; what would happen when they eventually pass on? Are all
builders supposed to be buried in their plane? *Since I don't have a
HB (though there are a couple I'd like) I really didn't know anything
the actual rules.

I know of a few builders who would probably love to be buried in their
plane but NO, it is not necessary. On the issue of trusting a
homebuilt aircraft, I would probably be more trusting of most of the
homebuilt aircraft that I have seen than many production aircraft,
especially some of the 20-30+ year old planes out there. While I have
seen a few less than stellar homebuilts, most are built to what I
would consider higher standards than any production aircraft.

That said, you would be well advised to do a very complete inspection
of any homebuilt you are considering buying. Having an inspection by
an A&P would be adviseable rather you are buying a homebuilt or used
production plane.

On Wed, 6 Feb 2008 16:20:11 -0800 (PST), BobR
wrote:


I know of a few builders who would probably love to be buried in their
plane but NO, it is not necessary. On the issue of trusting a
homebuilt aircraft, I would probably be more trusting of most of the
homebuilt aircraft that I have seen than many production aircraft,

My CFI says the same thing. There are a bunch of homebuilts at the
airfield at which I am learning and he speaks very highly of the
general quality of them. One of his planes shares a hanger with a
very nice Velocity RG (that happens to be for sale)

"Matthew Speed" wrote in message
news
On Wed, 6 Feb 2008 16:20:11 -0800 (PST), BobR
wrote:


I know of a few builders who would probably love to be buried in their
plane but NO, it is not necessary. On the issue of trusting a
homebuilt aircraft, I would probably be more trusting of most of the
homebuilt aircraft that I have seen than many production aircraft,

My CFI says the same thing. There are a bunch of homebuilts at the
airfield at which I am learning and he speaks very highly of the
general quality of them. One of his planes shares a hanger with a
very nice Velocity RG (that happens to be for sale)

Saw one of those on final approach to Tacoma Narrows airport the other day.
Damn if'n they aren't pretty. Like watching Princess Leia coming down final
on Waterworld. )

Rich S. (from the great Pacific NorthWet)

On Feb 6, 10:20*pm, Matthew Speed wrote:
On Wed, 6 Feb 2008 16:20:11 -0800 (PST), BobR

wrote:

I know of a few builders who would probably love to be buried in their
plane but NO, it is not necessary. *On the issue of trusting a
homebuilt aircraft, I would probably be more trusting of most of the
homebuilt aircraft that I have seen than many production aircraft,

My CFI says the same thing. There are a bunch of homebuilts at the
airfield at which I am learning and he speaks very highly of the
general quality of them. *One of his planes shares a hanger with a
very nice Velocity RG (that happens to be for sale)

I have yet to see a Velocity, Lancair, Glassair, GlasStar, KIS or
Stallion that I wouldn't take in a heartbeat. I have only seen a
couple of RV's that I wouldn't want and even those were probably in
better shape than most of the available fleet of older used spam
cans. Of the other homebuilts on the market, it might take a bit more
than a single heartbeat but most of those would gain a nod as well.
The overall quality of the homebuilt fleet that I have seen over the
past 15 years is well above any quality of standard to be expected.

On Feb 6, 3:47 pm, Gig 601XL Builder
wrote:

4. The owner or anybody else can work on a Exp-HB. What he can't do is
the annual inspection. Only an A&P or the original builder who got the
Repairman's certificate can do that.

For the Canadians lurking he You buy it, to fix it, you do
the annual on it, too.

5. Like any aircraft you should get someone you trust to go over it.

Got that right, for sure.

Dan

wrote in message
...
On Feb 6, 3:47 pm, Gig 601XL Builder
wrote:

4. The owner or anybody else can work on a Exp-HB. What he can't do is
the annual inspection. Only an A&P or the original builder who got the
Repairman's certificate can do that.

For the Canadians lurking he You buy it, to fix it, you do
the annual on it, too.

5. Like any aircraft you should get someone you trust to go over it.

Got that right, for sure.

Dan

That isn't specific to aircraft.

Peter

On Feb 9, 7:56 pm, "Peter Dohm" wrote:

That isn't specific to aircraft.

No, but pilots, like everyone else, can be real suckers when they
get infected with airplaneownershipitis. We like to think we're
smarter that the average bear, but we're as impatient as the boat or
auto buyer and many end up with airplanes that are nothing more than
holes into which to pour money. Airplanes are (usually) more expensive
than other toys and much, much more regulated, and their buyers can
get stung much worse.


Dan