Building my first aircraft.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Midlands
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unfortunately the Sonex in the UK is not as cheap to build as in the US. To comply with LAA approval it needed quite a bit of work.
Silverfern microlights are the UK agent, but once again I think you will have to work hard to get a finished aircraft for less than £40k.
Sonex Aircraft Information
Silverfern microlights are the UK agent, but once again I think you will have to work hard to get a finished aircraft for less than £40k.
Sonex Aircraft Information
that you can keep your IMC current with.
G
Last edited by Genghis the Engineer; 23rd Oct 2013 at 09:52.
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To build an aircraft for that sort of money and have 2 seats and reasonable performance an advanced kit is simply not possible.
You hav3e already had suggstions in terms of the Zenair range. Plans are available and I know two guys who have built from plans. It is eminently 'doable' and the resulting aircraft is actually worth more than you put into it - which is often not the case for many of the 'advanced' kits.
Pick up a copy of the current LAA mag - there is an article there on a prize winning 601 built from plans.
You hav3e already had suggstions in terms of the Zenair range. Plans are available and I know two guys who have built from plans. It is eminently 'doable' and the resulting aircraft is actually worth more than you put into it - which is often not the case for many of the 'advanced' kits.
Pick up a copy of the current LAA mag - there is an article there on a prize winning 601 built from plans.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Midlands
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I still think the best option would be to forget building 'new' because I don't think it can be done with the OP's available budget and without compromising on some of large parts being used, i.e Engine, instruments, Radio, Transponder etc.
I would put the £20k into something secondhand (previously owned if you prefer that expression). A Skyranger or an Escapade with a Rotax 912, proper little go anywhere machines, nice and economical and reliable. You should get a nice one with lowish hours for £20k.
I would put the £20k into something secondhand (previously owned if you prefer that expression). A Skyranger or an Escapade with a Rotax 912, proper little go anywhere machines, nice and economical and reliable. You should get a nice one with lowish hours for £20k.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you absolutely set on 2 seats?
There are a world of possibilities if only 1 seat.
For the odd time you want to take the missus along, rent something nice for the day..... !
There are a world of possibilities if only 1 seat.
For the odd time you want to take the missus along, rent something nice for the day..... !
I'm just adjusting my personal fleet away from the big 4-seat gas-guzzler to half a small single seater and a 20th share in a good tourer based in a flying school.
A number of people have commented that you're either a builder or a flyer - I think that's a bit unfair as I've known a few people who were pretty good and active at both. However, you must really want to be part of the building process to pursue that, and it really isn't a way to get the right, or a cheap, aeroplane.
We're blessed in the UK with two excellent sport flying & homebuilding associations, and a very strong second hand market - across the board quite a number of types. All those options are there - but make sure whatever option you pursue, that it's the right one FOR YOU, and you're following it for appropriate reasons.
G
Last edited by Genghis the Engineer; 23rd Oct 2013 at 13:45.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Plumpton Green
Age: 79
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pick up a copy of the current LAA mag - there is an article there on a prize winning 601 built from plans.
Why not buy yerself a half knackered piper warrior or similar and spend the time you planned building from scratch fixing something that's already built, then you've got a real plane that you can keep your IMC current with.
If you can be sure of hangarage, there are a few Jodel 2 seaters on AFORS. If you're good at woodworking, damaged ones come up - about £3000 recently for O-200 engine, instruments, complete fuselage, u/c, empenage all undamaged, but with one wing end broken off, leading to a wing rebuild.
I don't know if contacting insurers is acceptable - to let you know of wrecks the owners don't want to buy back.
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Planet Claire
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it ws me, I'd go to the US and buy an old tail dragger like an Aeronca or a Taylorcraft or maybe a J-3 Cub.
When one was hours building in Illinois, the things were everywhere- and cheap!
When one was hours building in Illinois, the things were everywhere- and cheap!
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Midlands
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is possible to build an aircraft for under £20k but you will have to build a basic kit or a plan built aircraft and consider a VW based engine or similar. Might be better to buy a project – say a jodel or similar and fix it / sort it. You can get an airframe for around £3k, a second hand engine for around £3k and that leaves you plenty of cash to fix things and get it flying. You would have to find a hangar to keep the aircraft in and do some of the work on the wing.
Light Aircraft, Jodel D18 Project, For Sale, advert ID=27548
Might be for interest!
Rod1
Light Aircraft, Jodel D18 Project, For Sale, advert ID=27548
Might be for interest!
Rod1
GBOZR, If you are in Luton, why not take a drive up to Sywell this coming Wednesday and have a chat to the kindred spirits in the LAA 'Strut' who meet in the bar at the Aviator hotel there? Several of the regulars have built their own aircraft, and the others fly a range of Jodels, Taylorcrafts and the like. All are very friendly and approachable.
Some meetings have a guest speaker too. Most people arrive around 7.30pm with the speaker if there is one starting at 8pm.
I work up that way in the week and have been along to most of their meetings.
Some meetings have a guest speaker too. Most people arrive around 7.30pm with the speaker if there is one starting at 8pm.
I work up that way in the week and have been along to most of their meetings.
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Luton
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AtomKraft,
That isn't out of the question! Only problems would be shipping it over, getting it put on a G reg and wether it'd be on a permit or not, any ideas?
Thanks for all the replies chaps, I still am exploring the possibilities looking especially at projects and the kitfox's!
I'll keep you all posted!
That isn't out of the question! Only problems would be shipping it over, getting it put on a G reg and wether it'd be on a permit or not, any ideas?
Thanks for all the replies chaps, I still am exploring the possibilities looking especially at projects and the kitfox's!
I'll keep you all posted!
Only problems would be shipping it over, getting it put on a G reg and wether it'd be on a permit or not, any ideas?
Buy an aeroplane like that to fly in the USA, but don't try and put it on the G-reg.
G
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ginevra
Age: 43
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You are my hero, building an airplane is a huge job.
I was thinking to do it but they I gave up due to my lack of engineering knowledge.
Tricycle and two seats is probably tehe best option.
Don't forget to upload some pictures about your job.
I was thinking to do it but they I gave up due to my lack of engineering knowledge.
Tricycle and two seats is probably tehe best option.
Don't forget to upload some pictures about your job.
G
LAA, RAeS and BMAA member and proud to engage with all three.
"^^^^ Could it, just possibly, be something to do with it being a MEMBER'S FORUM ? "
Now why didn't I think of that...so bleedin obvious,
But why what are they afraid of...the likes of the BMAA forum is mostly an open door to anybody wanting to know more or get into it.
Now why didn't I think of that...so bleedin obvious,
But why what are they afraid of...the likes of the BMAA forum is mostly an open door to anybody wanting to know more or get into it.
Over the years I have had 5 of my PPL students get into 2 Stroke microlight flying. Every single ONE has commented that they sure were glad that I had done a good job of teaching them what to do when the engine fails as they all had engine failures 
IMO 90% of recreational flyers won't use their airplane enough to justify the expense of full ownership.
Personally I think the best deal in aviation is a partnership in a permit airplane. I was in a 4 person partnership on 2 different airplanes for 5 years and I honestly can not think of one time where I had made plans and the aircraft was not available and only a handful of times where I made a spur of the moment decision to go flying and the aircraft was already flying.
So I basically had my own aircraft for 1/4 the costs of sole ownership.
IMO 90% of recreational flyers won't use their airplane enough to justify the expense of full ownership.
Personally I think the best deal in aviation is a partnership in a permit airplane. I was in a 4 person partnership on 2 different airplanes for 5 years and I honestly can not think of one time where I had made plans and the aircraft was not available and only a handful of times where I made a spur of the moment decision to go flying and the aircraft was already flying.
So I basically had my own aircraft for 1/4 the costs of sole ownership.