I've heard that these old aircooled VW and corsair engines are the key to making a "cheap" home built. But how do you even find them?

I'm familiar with the automotive world and what vehicles are common in junkyards. I have personally seen only a handful of VW's in the junkyards I've gone to over the last 10 years.

I know VW's were super super plentiful in the 60's to the 90's, but where'd they go? Are they all in specialized German/VW junkyards and that's where you go to get an engine to rebuild/refresh for your home built?

And what about the flat 6 corsair engines? I've never ever seen one in person, and I've only seen a few rebuildable cores on ebay.

Are these engines "common" and "affordable" by aviation standards, but not by automotive standards?

Versus a kit that you buy and assemble?

I see so many kit planes that look damn near factory built and I just don't understand how.

Like any Vans RV, those look damn near factory built, are those kits pretty complete and more of just an assembly process?

I've seen some pretty cool home built planes that don't have a huge following so I think buying a kit to assemble isn't really an option, yet those planes look pretty good as well.

Does building a plane based just off of plans require a lot of wood/metal/fiberglass/foam/paint work? How does your average home builder make a plane that doesn't look rough as hell?

I'm wanting to build an ultralight plane. I heard Sitka spruce is great for building aircraft, but it's expensive. I also heard good things about maple. Does anyone else have any suggestions for woods that would be light, strong and affordable?

I originally was gonna use fiberglass. But come to find out it's denser than aluminum. So that's off the table.

What other materials are light weight, strong and affordable?

I think I'm gonna use aluminum for a good portion of the ultralight. Mixed with wood. Open to other suggestions for light weight, strong and affordable materials

Before I get started, I do understand that experimental aircraft can’t get FIKI certified and that deicing equipment in non-FIKI planes (and even some FIKI) should not be considered a reason to not avoid icing. My concern this time of year is getting trapped above overcast when it wasn’t in the forecast. I have no interest in flying GA into winter storms.

I see on MT-propeller’s website that they offer deicing options for all their propellers. MT is currently the default prop on the 916 equipped Slings (TSI and High Wing).

For the wings, Therma-wing and other thin film heating element companies advertise products that could be applied to wings for deicing purposes. I Imagine the electric draw would be too much for Rotax’s alternators. But maybe having it plugged into a portable battery (EcoFlow, etc) could provide enough electricity for decent through an overcast layer. (They can have enough juice to power a welder after all).

So how viable would it be to add electric wing deicing to a MT propeller equipped plane to have some emergency deicing capability.

TLDR: Is there anyone who would be interested in purchasing signed Starduster Too blueprints? What would be a fair asking price? Should they be sold to a museum?

Hey, I'm here because I have something interesting and I'd love to get opinions before moving forward.

I own vintage, original and signed blueprints. They are for a Starduster Too and signed by Stolp. Our family no longer has an income so I need to sell as many personal possessions as possible until income is steady again. That being said, I want to gauge interest so I don't waste anyone's time.

After asking in a group in fb, I was told no one would be interested, because it's a kit plane, but you guys may be the ones to ask.

Thoughts?

Flying a friend’s light sport that has experimental stickered on the inside (piper sportcruiser).

From what the A&P said, the engine is experimental, but the airframe is still a light sport. The engine is the normal rotax 912. The airworthiness certificate still says LSA, not E-LSA. So it’s possible to have a light sport category while having experimental components? I thought it’d make it all experimental.

I’m a CFI that usually only flies normal category airplanes so I’m unfamiliar with the A&P side of things.

Not too sure on what materials I'll be using. Maybe the foam that RC planes are made of, or maybe a light weight wood. I could even do fiber glass.

It's inspired by the su30, but has some changes to make it much more stable than the su30

The plan is to make it stable and somewhat maneuverable. Itll have dihedral main wings and elevators. Itll have a t tail and some form of a very very simple hydraulic system for the controls. I plan to have some kind of parachute in chase of emergencies.

I was also thinking of using a ducted fan for thrust since an actual jet engine might be to heavy.

Thoughts?

Anyone know how to find the definition of an AN5812 airfoil? I’m trying to CAD it for a Garmin pitot tube mount that I can 3D print.

I have a plane with a 2500cc 100 hp VW type 4 engine. The climb rate gets reeeeeaaally slow around 7500 feet elevation density at max gross weight . How do y’all feel about adding a simple 10hp dry shot of nitrous to help gain back about 3000feet density worth of power? A 10lb bottle should last about 10-15 minutes total depending on conditions.

Edit: for context, the engine is built with all forged racing components and capable of handling WAY more than 100hp, it’s also operating at about half of its safe RPM limit. As for detonation, the plane will cheerfully fly all day in Arizona at WOT burning 87 octane mogas with ethanol, and has done so for dozens of hours. Switching to 91octane or even avgas would give me more detonation overhead. Cooling: getting CHT’s over 350 or oil temp over 200 requires deliberate effort. Cooling is not an issue. The carb has a lean/rich adjustment lever.

I see ads abounding on all the major aircraft sales platforms, touting specs that rival million dollar aircraft for a price tag that’s competitive with steam 152’s. My too-good-to-be-true alarm is buzzing, and on top of that, it’s mostly stock photos, not actual ads for real aircraft, just promises of the potential of buying a kit that delivers crazy performance for cheap.

I assumed it was a scam or something, but then I see people on this subreddit frequently complementing the attributes of Velocity aircraft. What’s the deal? My understanding is that they produced some rear wheel drive experimental aircraft for awhile that were pretty solid, and then some guy bought the company and is now making wild claims about performance numbers, using stock pics of aircraft that look nothing like the actual built examples.

Perhaps a weird question- I will eventually have some money to my name (hopefully) and in addition to learning to fly I would like to have my own plane- and homebuilt seems really, really cool. Mechanical complexity of assembly aside, and looking for a 2-seat minimum here, I wanted to get a better idea of which homebuilt aircraft are more comfortable for flying longer distances.

This is not at all a practical question and I'm certainly far off from even having my own garage- just curious and thinking about what I want to spend my spare time daydreaming about.

What's a good place to get a decently priced altimeter for my ultralight? Don't need anything crazy, just something that gets me close to altitude

Is the cruise speed any better or worse on a Lancair 235 with an o-320 than an actual Lancair 320? If I were in the market for a 320, would a 235/320 be jus as good? I understand the 320/360’s have a larger airframe and a larger cockpit than the 235’s, and for that reason alone I’d probably want to opt for the 320. But in terms of performance, how do they compare? I imagine the takeoff and climb performance would be slightly better on the 235 airframe.

The Vne for the 235 is 215 kts, whereas it’s 235 kts for the 320 (some sources such as Wikipedia indicate that it’s 235 kts for all the models, but that’s actually not the case). This is only for indicated airspeed and not true airspeed (flutter speed). Inflight breakups due to flutter seem to be rare if not nonexistent for Lancairs.

This isnt a sales add so please dont ban me , ill be happy to take it down . Im just asking for some oppinions . As i have Tons of NICE cars ,everything from 10k to 300 thousand dollar cars from 71 cudas to twin turbo ls c10s on rioadster shop chassis to panteras to Voodoo swapped 69 mach ones . caddilac ctsv to ....... many more . i am a student pilot and ive been interested in aviation for 45 years . and ive decided to thin the car heard a bit . does anyone know where a good place to offer up something like that? for instance the pantera for an airplane or or unfinished kit of equal value say like 120k , or a couple of my cars for whatever . that kind of thing . I rwealize not every one is a car guy . and if not thats cool but please dont roast me about it . im genuinly tryiing to score a plane that i will use rather than watch my cars collect dust . Im looking for ideas of places to post an offer like that or if anyonre has lost interest in aviation for whatever reason , that kind of thing

Please be patient with me as I know nothing about building a plane.

I’ve been getting ads for this kit plane that looks like the perfect plane for me. They offer a factory built option where you come to the factory for 2 weeks to satisfy the 51% rule.

Here’s the problem. The $200k kit becomes $850k for the factory built option.

I wouldn’t trust any plane I built with my own hands, I’m not that good at mechanical work.

Can you hire people to build your plane for you? And you show up and help to satisfy the 51% rule?

Are there shops that build kit planes?

It’s gotta be cheaper to hire someone to build something than the $650k markup for the factory.

Thanks!

From what I understand, insurance is astronomically high for Lancair aircraft, even the fixed-gear models, and that’s if you can qualify for insurance at all. I’ve heard people say that if you forgo insurance and put that money you would have spent away in savings, you’d be able to just buy another airplane in several years.

But aside from insurance, are the Lancair 320/360‘s fairly affordable as far as maintenance is concerned? Most of them are retractable-gear, and that alone can get expensive (some annuals being worse than others). Most people who own these models seem happy with them for their fuel economy. And I’m aware that you fly a fast airplane like this primarily for convenience and not cost-savings, but nevertheless owners seem pleased with the overall affordability as well as the speed.

Looking for plans for dual side sticks in SE?

Hey fellow pilots!

I'm thinking about a new concept for a handheld radio with an integrated intercom system designed specifically for experimental aircraft, and possibly certified aircraft. Before moving forward, I’m trying to gauge interest and gather feedback from the community to see if there's a common interest.

If you fly experimental aircraft or have experience with portable radios, I would love your input! The survey takes only 2-3 minutes to complete, and your responses will help shape the development of this system.

Thanks so much for your help and insight! Fly safe! ✈️

Click for the link to the Survey!

My first post on this sub and not sure if it'll get booted if it's unrelated.

I started building a Teenie 2 to about 30% complete a few years ago and had to sell it on as we immigrated. I'm again looking to pick up either a homebuilt project but ideally something further along the build process. Question for those in the US. What are the rules to rebuild as damaged Luscombe or Cessna 140 - as an example - as opposed to a pure kit aircraft? Are the Luscombe/Cessna still seen as Type Certified and needing to be repaired according to a set standard or can you do the repairs yourself and only get AP to sign off your work. I know there's a difference in kit aircraft vs manufactured aircraft like Cessna and Piper etc. but not sure if a 1940 Luscombe still has to comply with certified standards? Hope that makes sense.

For those of you who have built your own one-off airplane, what did you do for the canopy? Did you have one specially made it did you find something close from a kit manufacturer and make it work?

Hi everyone and happy Monday!

I’m working on an engine upgrade plan for my experimental Citabria 7ECA, and I'm trying to keep costs as manageable as possible. My current idea is to reinforce and reuse the existing conical engine mounts rather than going for an entirely new setup.

I’m particularly interested in hearing from anyone with experience on the older Lycoming O-320 models, especially the A, B, or C series. I’ve come across some mixed opinions about parts availability for these engines, with some people saying certain components are getting scarce. If anyone has recent experience with maintaining or sourcing parts for these engines, I'd love to hear what challenges you faced.

TIA

I am trying to fit cargo in my rans coyote 2 however there is no where to store them i see that some people have a plastic bin or mesh behind the seats but where could i find these thanks

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Want to connect with other builders in the area. Have previous experience with Velocity and planning on building another?

Hi, everyone - long time lurker first time caller.

I have explored some options for purchasing a plane, and the more I think about it, the more I feel like building myself would be a more economical and fulfilling way to own my own plane.

I've done some research and personally think that something like a Dakota Hawk seems the best, but I'd like to ask people more knowledgeable. For reference, if I were to buy a certified aircraft, it would be a C140A.

Mission: Local VFR puttering about close to Mode C Veil, so radios and ADSB-Out 95% of XCs less than 2 hours single way Pilot is 200 pounds

Preferences: Not wooden Tailwheel Under $40k

Please let me know your thoughts, and I appreciate the help!

I'd also appreciate any books or basic information you can recommend. I tried looking for an FAQ and through some other threads and found some books, but I'll take all the help I can get. I am also planning on visiting my local EAA chapter this weekend.

I'm looking for advice on how to find a design that maximizes glide with a 16# payload and 15' span. The entire aircraft could weigh 60#, including payload and will be hand launched...

If this isn't the proper forum, could someone please advise where to ask?

Thanks in advance-

Would you buy a second hand very old Collibri Mk2?