Opinions on Experimentals

[Ralph Baker]

Ted,
If you put 2 pilots and 2 A&Ps in the same room you will get 7 or 8
opinions on any subject. You should have concerns over an investment of
this size and nature whether it is time or money. If you want to
investigate safety I believe the EAA or NHTSA can get you into the
accident data base for facts. It is also a fact that about 15% of the
single engine piston registrations are experimentals. That is
significant. There is a range of quality in the experimental, both in
design and workmanship. Research into longevity of manufacturer and
design is a good indicator. This is a tight community and those
deficient in either don't last.

If you were buying a certified aircraft you would certainly have an A&P
do a prepurchase inspection. This should be no different with a
partially completed kit. He will see issues of quality which are
general such as bad holes, poor deburring, lack of "squareness" and fit
that are not kit specific. Money well spent.

You can register (USA) a partially completed kit as long as it meets the
rules up to that point in its construction. The FAA has recently
changed the rules regarding pictures. I would contact the FAA where you
will do your airworthiness inspection and discuss it with them. Here in
South Carolina we use a DAR who is authorized by the FAA. If you have a
similar DAR available I would use him, even with the cost, and would
contact him before purchase for advice on what he would want to see as
documentation. With a substantially completed kit you may not be able
to get the Repairmans Certificate but I understand that is negotiable
case by case. You can do all the maintenance but would need an A&P
yearly inspection without the Repairmans Certificate. The bottom line
is that you don't want to buy a kit you can't register so do the work
prior.

I can't speak for all the kits but the MAM offerings are built like
bridges compared to some I kits have seen and especially the Cessnas.
Bob Johnson is correct in his assessment. You should consider a demo
ride to satisfy yourself regarding the flying qualities. The cost would
be small measured against the cost of an airplane that you were not
happy with.

As a final comment, think very carefully about what your actual use will
be and buy a kit or airplane that is mission capable for that set of
needs. We are building an Elite and I have enjoyed the process a great
deal.
Ralph Baker


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