Some people like to build custom bicycles. You probably know someone whose hobby is building or restoring cars from the ground up. Why don’t you become that person known for building their own airplane? This might sound far-fetched, but it’s totally doable. If you’re into aviation or engineering, here are some tips to get you started on building an airplane of your own.
Get Plans or a Kit
The average person doesn’t know how to build an airplane. Good news — you can get airplane kits that come in varying degrees of completion. Some come with some of the more labor-intensive parts already compiled, and others let you do all of the work. You can also get just the instructions and go from there. These instructions will let you know things like how many aircraft rivets to use and how to build the wings just right.
Make Sure You Are Licensed To Fly
Assuming you’ll be the pilot, if you’re not licensed, take care of that before you go too much further. This is not only for your safety, but for the safety of those around you. It’s important to know that it’s illegal to fly even a private homebuilt plane without becoming a licensed pilot.
Designate a Place To Build
Surprisingly, you won’t need an entire hangar to build a plane. Some people have built the bulk of their aircraft in a standard garage, and then piece it all together in a larger space once the components are ready. You’ll still need plenty of room, but much of the work can be done in a smaller space.
Remember: the Wright Brothers built their airplane. If they could do it, surely you can, too. Sure, yours will have a few more regulations to adhere to, but that’s a good thing — it’ll mean yours should be safer and fly better. If you have an interest in taking on such an impressive task, don’t let it intimidate you. Clear out your garage and start thinking about what colors you’ll want to paint your plane.
