Plans
GF - best bet is to look at the PFA website.
You really do need to decide what sort of aeroplane that you and your cohorts actually want to build.
Do you have a copy of Aircraft Spruce & Specialty's catalogue?
I have an old one that you may have. It gives details of EAA approved kits/plans in the front. Many are also PFA approved.
The only valuable advice I had when starting out on my build was,
Do something every single day to your project and it will soon be finished.
"Do something" encompasses all activity; be it make something, bolting something on, prime/paint something, order something, study the plans, sit in it and dream! If you start letting the days go by, they become weeks, months and the next thing that you'll do is advertise it in the back of PF as an unfinished project!
Do not underestimate the amount of work involved. People probably think that I exagerate when I say I spent 10 man days just masking the fuselage and wings in preparation for spraying the three colours onto my aeroplane - it takes time to do it properly.
There is also a strange dichotomy between build time and quailty. You will very quickly decide what is acceptable to you - sure, it will be safe and functional but could you make it any better?
Workshop.
Where are you going to make this aeroplane?
Do not underestimate how important the quality and comfort of your workshop is. Frankly, if mine had not been at home, then I'd never have had the discipline to travel to the project and it would have been another one of those projects that is advertised regularly in the back of PF.
It needs to be warm and light and large enough to comfortably work on the large components - fuselage and one piece wing being the largest. If it is large enough to rig the aircraft even better. I had to rig my biplane in my workshop to make several components.
I also managed to do all my engine runs and taxi/brake tests before it ever saw an aerodrome.
Find a PFA inspector who is prepared to help you. Easier said than done! I ended up using a chap in Nottingham - a 320 mile round trip that I made several times a year - often towing a trailer packed with aeroplane!
If you want more detail PM me with 'phone number and I'll bell you.
My last words are - do not set out on this avenue thinking that you will end up with an inexpensive aeroplane to fly. Only do this if you actually want to build an aeroplane
Stik