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5151 Mustang
A-26 vulcan (twin engine) & a-20 vista (single engine).
Murphy Aircraft
Proudly canadian made.
High-performance and affordable homebuilt kit planes producer for 39years. Supplying experimental aircraft lovers all over the world
Founded in 1985, by Darryl Murphy, Murphy Aircraft is a homebuilt experimental aircraft manufacturer located in Chilliwack BC, Canada. Over the last few decades, Murphy Aircraft has developed 7 different models: Renegade, Maverick, Elite, Rebel, Yukon, Moose, and Radical. Each model has its unique characteristics that will be suitable for people with different needs.
Murphy’s large facility is equipped with CNC machines, Prima laser, and hydraulic presses, suitable for any prototyping and manufacturing activities. In 2022, Murphy Aircraft was acquired by new investors. With the new management team on board, Murphy Aircraft is on a new journey: Continue to provide Canadian-made products with better customer service quality, less kit build time, and a better installation manual for all of our models. Murphy Aircraft appreciates your patience and support.
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The Murphy Moose is a four to six seat, high wing, aluminum kit aircraft. Gross weight of 3,500 lbs. and a useful load ranging from 1,550 to 1,850 lbs. Engine Options range from a Lycoming IO-540 to a M-14P radial engine giving a horsepower spread from 250HP to 550HP!
Factory Tours
We offer factory tours for those of you who are interested. There, the dedicated staff will meet you and take you through our facility in Chilliwack BC. We will walk through our production process, explain what will be included in your kit, and finally take you for a demo flight at the airport. Contact us for more information and be ready to enjoy the breathtaking flight over the scenic Fraser Valley!
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The velocity.
The Velocity is a true high performance airplane with the ability to make 1000 mile cross country trips at speeds in excess of 200 kts while carrying four adults and baggage in total comfort and ramp presence styling. With the rear mounted engine, the noise, propeller turbulence, engine heat and fumes are behind you, providing an atmosphere comparable to a modern sports sedan. Extremely crisp controls and excellent aerodynamic stability allows the Velocity to fly as if it was mounted on rails, allowing you to travel long distances with minimal pilot load and still dogfight with the best of the two seat sport planes. Learn more below.
When purchasing a Velocity kit, you receive personalized attention, with an honest sincerity not found in many businesses today. We have top-notch support for our builders as well as high quality kits. Read about our Head Start Program, Flight Training, pricing and more below.
what we're working on
Upcoming events, find us at:.
Sun-N-Fun Fly-in (Lakeland Fl)
April 9 -14 , 2024
Airventure (Oshkosh WI)
July 22-28, 2024
CALL US NOW
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- Aircraft & Kits
- Jabiru Engine
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- Kit Manuals & Inspections
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Building the Kit
The Lightning kit is considered a quick build kit in industry terms with the highest completion rate of any similar performance experimental aircraft kit. Some other kits are taking their builders in excess of yen years to build. Yes, the Lightning is truly a quick build kit that meets the 51% rule for Experimental Amateur Built (EAB) aircraft. It should take an average builder with some mechanical skills about 800 hours to complete the basic structure of the Lightning. A two car garage is best, however it has been done successfully in a single car garage. A comprehensive build manual, with good photos and simple CAD drawings, is on-line to help you through the process. The manual is online in the support section of the website. There is also a Lightning chat group which you can join and get ample amounts of building tips and suggestions. You can always call us here at Arion Aircraft, LLC, or any of our dealers to get the help you need in building the Lightning kit.
Optional Items
For both the XS and Classic “Go-fast” kits, we offer a speed fairing kit. This will increase cruise speed about 10knts, and decrease fuel burn. They are tedious parts to fit and install, but well worth your efforts in performance and looks. If you decide to build your kit to meet the LSA requirements, you will need to slow the stall speed down. We offer a wing tip extension with winglet to do so. This will add roughly 12sqft of wing area, and bring the span up to 30’ 6” from 27’ 2”. Even if you are not building an LSA compliant kit with a Jabiru 3300, this will help climb rates, takeoff distance, and, if installed on a “Go-fast” Lightning, increase the cruise speed about 8knts above 10,000ft. Other items which are optional include: landing light pockets for the wings, boarding steps, aluminum spinner, and a few others.
What's Not Included
You will have to get an engine. A prop that is suited to the plane you are building must be purchased. We have tested a lot of props, and we can suggest a prop for the Lightning you are building. The kit does not come with any avionics. Since this is one area that many builders like to add their own touches to, we do not supply any. Also with that in mind, we do not supply an interior. There is a local shop here in Shelbyville that does our interiors, and we can supply a custom kit to meet your needs. There is no paint, but you will have a gel-coat surface, free of pinholes to start body prep on. Because you are building a fiberglass aircraft and will need extra epoxy and resin from time to time, or fiberglass cloth, we do not supply it. Arion Aircraft, LLC does not have the correct chemicals approval to ship these items, so the cost is eliminated from the kit, and you will need to purchase your own from Aircraft Spruce.
Introduction
The Lightning EAB was designed to be an easy to build and economical to operate kit aircraft. The components used and techniques employed to build the kit do not require any special knowledge, tools, or building space. The kit is very complete and leaves little searching of suppliers for parts. All hardware is AN, the painted pre-welded components are 4130 steel, and all machined aluminum parts are of the T6 grade. Other airframe parts include: aircraft wheels and brakes from Matco, control cables from McFarlane Aviation supply, and a canopy formed by one of the Leading companies in the industry. This is all put together in a kit, along with a comprehensive build manual that will take the guess work out of finding components to complete your Lighting, and get you in the air quicker.
What's In the Box
All main fiberglass assemblies are pre-formed and fabricated. This includes: Fuselage halves bonded together with bulkheads installed, wings closed with fuel tanks installed, all flight controls pre-molded and closed, cowls, spinner, canopy frames, cockpit seats, and baggage floors. Welded structures, such as: motor mount, spar box assembly, gear leg sockets, and various brackets, are epoxy painted and ready to install. The landing gear is machined from 7075T6 aluminum and ready to fit. Other components are machined from 6061T6 and are ready construction. Also supplied in the kit is raw stock 6061T6 aluminum for fabrication of longerons, pedals supports, bell-crank mounts, and other various brackets. Some fiberglass tape is also supplied for different tasks. There are a variety of components that are sourced from other aviation industry manufacturers. The Wheels and Brakes come from Matco Mfg (these are the 5” size and use standard 500-5 tires). The Canopy and quarter windows are supplied by Aircraft Windshields Inc. All hardware is drop shipped from Aircraft Spruce.
Lightning Kit
Copyright 2017. Arion Aircraft, LLC. All rights reserved. Last Updated: 5/2/2024
- EXCALIBUR AIRCRAFT EXCALIBUR is Pre-Approved by the FAA as a 51% Kit
- CUSTOMERS AIRCRAFT
- CUSTOMERS VIDEO
Excalibur Experimental Two Seat Kit Built Aircraft
Excalibur Experimental Two Seat Kit Built Aircraft.
Excalibur Experimental Aircraft on Puddle Jumper Amphib Floats
Excalibur Amateur Built Aircraft Kit.
Excalibur Tandem Seating Experimental Aircraft Kit.
Excalibur Experimental Amateur built FAA Approved Kit.
Excalibur is an approved faa 51% experimental amateurbuilt aircraft kit.
The Excalibur is a tandem seating two place, high wing experimental amateurbuilt aircraft in a pusher configuration.
In the U.S.A. it is available in kit form, and is approved by the FAA as a 51% aircraft kit. In Canada the Excalibur is available as an Amateur-built Aircraft, a Basic Ultralight Aircraft and an Advanced Ultralight Aircraft.
In Europe it qualifies under the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale microlight rules.
Excalibur Aircraft - Low and Slow in Louisiana
Brad enjoys the beautiful countryside of La. flying low and slow and savoring every moment.
Excalibur Aircraft - Mark Killip
Mark Killip from Boca Raton Florida talks about his building experiences with his Excalibur Aircraft.
Excalibur Aircraft - Colonel Kerr U S Marines
Talks about the Excalibur Aircraft and Factory Support.
Excalibur Aircraft Glen in Georgia starts the tail kit
Glen gets the tail kit first, and learns how to install the nut plates on the first day. easy. Wings are next.
Excalibur Aircraft Dustin in Georgia
Dustin has his own runway and hangar in the backyard of his Georgia home.
Excalibur Aircraft Fun on the Farm
or Dave, this should be HD (i think) some good take off and landing shots
Excalibur Aircraft River hopping with floats
- Excalibur Specs
- Excalibur Features
- Excalibur Engines
- Excalibur Prices
- Excalibur Differences
- Excalibur Factory
- Excalibur Customers
- Flight Schools operating Sling NGTs
- Sling 2 KIT
- Legacy Model – Sling 4 KIT
- Sling TSi Transition Training
- Sling HW (coming soon – factory link)
- Sling Testimonials
- Expeditions
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- Become a Dealer
- Sling Forum
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- Test Fly the Sling!
- Flight Schools with Sling Next Generation Trainers
Note: Still fully-supported, but only in limited production. See Sling TSi for upgraded new model.
Sling 4 turbo kit – a dream with 4 seats, pure performance | absolute quality.
Available as Standard or Quickbuild Kit
Quickbuild Kit (FAA audited 51% kit) saves 400 hours
Also Available through our Build Assist Programs
Contact Us for more details
Well-Engineered, Proven Aluminum Construction
With pulled rivets for ease of assembly (solid rivets used in spar and spar box (completed at factory))
The Airplane…
Design and construction, structure/materials, quality control.
The Airplane Factory is proud to be the producer of high quality, high performance Light Sport and Experimental Aircraft. We take every step to ensure that each aircraft produced, whether ready-to-fly or kit version, is held to the highest of standards, above and beyond that required by ASTM or the FAA. The reason for such meticulous design and construction is because most of us here at The Airplane Factory are pilots. We know and understand the concerns of our fellow aviators and we would never build anything we did not 100% believe in or endorse. Every new design prototype is tested to its ultimate breaking points to ensure maximum reliability and durability, not too mention the extraordinary efforts The Airplane Factory goes to in order to make sure handling and stability are in the upper echelon of all airplanes on the market today. In addition, each kit we produce is inspected and assured to be top quality before being shipped to the buyer. The Airplane Factory founders feel that the Sling airplanes and kits are the best on the market and believe that you will soon agree!
The design was conceived in 2006 as a result of Mike Blyth’s desire for a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) that had better performance and handling characteristics than anything on the market. This vision would be an airplane capable of acting as either an exciting pleasure craft or a forgiving trainer. Mike decided to go with a stressed skin, riveted design for its proven technology, durability, and ease of construction. He also wanted to make an all-metal, low wing airplane that would have excellent visibility, sporty handling, and a sleek and sexy exterior.
The aluminum he chose was 6061 Aluminum Alloy. To be more specific, 6061-T6 Aluminum, a tempered grade that has been heat-treated and aged to add a significant strength element. The Sling uses all traditional AN Hardware in its construction, meaning it lives up to the US Air Force/Navy Standards. Solid rivets are used on the main spars, which are standard aviation type spars with our own unique design for added strength, and pull rivets for the rest of the structure, making construction a bit easier while maintaining structural integrity. The Airplane Factory uses high quality rivets manufactured in Germany that are well known throughout the aircraft manufacturing industry. Composites are also used throughout the airplane where appropriate, for example, cowling, fairings at the wing roots and the intersection between the vertical stabilizer and the fuselage, wheel pants, as well as the instrument panel and canopy structure. For reduced weight but added strength, the landing gear is also composite construction which can take a heavy amount of stress regularly without issues.
The standard assembly process for each Sling begins with the different aircraft subsections being assembled. After the Empennage, Wings, and Fuselage are ready they are sent off to receive their Primer and Epoxy painting. Concurrently, the engine, electronics and canopy are fitted. When the parts come back from painting the wings and empennage are bolted to the fuselage and tested. Lastly, the fairings are put in place and the aircraft is ready for testing.
Each part of the aircraft manufacturing process has a full set of quality control procedures that The Airplane Factory directors personally oversee. Each part part is carefully inspected and all metal is punched precisely by our CNC machines. The quality assurance managers then inspect the entirety of the shipment before sending out to the buyer.
Sling 4 Turbo Videos
The Sling 4 Turbo’s flying characteristics make for a perfectly coordinated, highly responsive control setup. This gives her the distinct qualities of a fighter jet aircraft, while not being overly sensitive. Comfortable for the whole family. The Sling is a Pilot’s Airplane. You fly it for the love of it.
Ramp appeal. You want your airplane to look as good as it flies. The Sling 4 Turbo has bold, sexy, aggressive lines. You’ll feel proud stepping out of it.
Glass Cockpit
The Sling 4 Turbo’s avionics options make for a very unique, state-of-the-art flying experience, at a fraction of the cost of our certified competitors. Full integrated EFIS with autopilot, radio and transponder with 2020-compliant ADS-B is available with live weather and traffic alerts in the cockpit. No more flying blind.
Gullwing Doors
The Sling 4 Turbo’s Gullwing doors make for easy ingress and egress for all 4 occupants. The wide cockpit, excellent all around view and substantial luggage capacity make the Sling 4 Turbo a very comfortable, yet versatile aircraft.
Spacious Cabin for 4
The Sling 4 Turbo has a spacious cabin for 4 people. With ample knee-room in the back seats, there is a feeling of roominess in the cabin. The Sling 4 Turbo has as much cabin space as many much-larger aircraft.
The sturdy construction of the Sling 4 Turbo make it an aircraft able to go the distance, reliably. The incorporation, by design, of a ballistic parachute, makes the Sling an exceptionally safe aircraft to fly. The use of high quality components throughout gives you, the owner, the peace of mind that you deserve, when making this kind of investment.
Turbo Performance
The Sling 4 Turbo’s turbo-normalized Rotax 914 engine, combined with the Airmaster Electric Constant Speed Prop, provides outstanding performance. At max gross weight, with 4 adults onboard and full fuel, the Sling 4 Turbo climbs at 900 fpm. It maintains a solid indicated airspeed up to altitude resulting in cruise performance of 130 KTAS+
900 fpm climb
130 ktas+ cruise above 9,500′.
With an operating cost of around $50/hr and burning just 6GPH of car gas, the Sling 4 Turbo is the efficient, economical cruiser of the modern age.
Sling 4 Turbo Press
Sling 4 Is a Joy in a Kit: Flying Magazine October 2016
Sling 4 Turbo Review: Plane & Pilot November 2016
Sling 4 – More from Less Review: AOPA Pilot December 2016
Sling 4 Review: Kitplanes Magazine June 2014
Detailed, Industry-Leading Assembly Manual with CAD Exploded Diagrams
- Download all latest Sling 4 Build Manuals
Specifications
| Sling 4 Turbo Performance and Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Cruise Speed: | 130+ ktas |
| Fuel Burn: | 6 gph |
| Rate of Climb: | 900 fpm |
| Max Range: | 900 nm |
| Fuel Capacity: | 46 gals |
| Max Gross: | 2,024 lbs |
| Empty Weight: | 1,012 lbs |
| Useful Load: | 1,012 lbs |
| Wing Span: | 32.7’ |
| Cockpit Width: | 44” |
| Engine Type: | Rotax 914 UL |
| Power: | Turbo Charged 115 HP |
Quickbuild Kit Option
Get it done quick (51% kit)
SF1 Solo and SF2 Duo now available! Build & fly your own version of a modern fighter.
Ready to order.
Introducing the SF2 Archon Duo
You asked, and we listened! Get ready to experience the excitement of flight in the new tandem-seat SF2 Archon.
Reserve your SF2 Archon kit today and get ready to embark on breathtaking adventures with someone special.
Already reserved a solo kit?
No problem! You are welcome to apply your deposit towards the SF2 Archon. Just give us a call and we’ll take care of the rest.
Build it • Fly it • Own it
Sf1 archon —kit built warbird.
…or choose the…
SF2 ARCHON —Tandem Duo
Why choose the SF2 Archon?
👥 Tandem Seat Design: Share the joy of flying with a friend or loved one, creating unforgettable memories together.
🛠️ Comprehensive Kit: Our meticulously designed kit ensures a seamless building experience, with top-quality components and easy-to-follow instructions.
✈️ Unparalleled Performance: Enjoy a smooth, stable flight in the SF2 Archon, crafted for aerodynamic excellence.
💺 Comfort & Space: With ergonomic tandem seating and controls, you and your co-pilot can comfortably explore the skies.
Kits Coming Soon
Ever dreamed of flying a fighter? Or better yet, owning one?
With the SF1 or SF2 Archon Kit you can build your own. Modern fighter aircraft “are designed to project air dominance,” according to the US Air Force.
The Archon (Archon is the ancient Greek word for “ruler”) captures that spirit of dominance in its physical package and in the joy of flying it. The Archon can be fitted with ROTAX 912-915 with power ratings ranging from 80 to 141 horsepower.
The rapid build kits manufactured for SportairUSA may be reserved today, for delivery in the fall of 2024..
RAPID BUILD
The kit, manufactured in North America, is optimized for efficient production and ease of final assembly.
Rapid assembly, in fact .
We haven’t clocked the full build yet, but this kit is a major time-saver and a solid value.
All kits are produced for SportairUSA by Fisher Flying Products, a Canadian company with decades of experience in kit aircraft manufacturing.
The majority of components are preformed aluminum. The kit includes all necessary hardware and material to build an SF1 or SF2 Archon, except the engine, avionics and paint.
Specifications
Wing Span: 25 feet
Length: 26 feet
Height: 7 feet
Empty Weight: 650-750 pounds
Fuel Tank Capacity: 22 gallons
Engine: 80-140 hp
Stall Speed: 45 mph
Cruise Speed: 110 mph
Never Exceed: 155 mph
Maneuvering Speed: 90 mph
Flaps: 80 mph
Load Factor: +4/-2 G
Takeoff Distance: 500 feet
Climb: 1,000 ft/min
The Archon Team
Archon kits are distributed in the U.S. by SportairUSA, located at KORK—North Little Rock Municipal Airport. SportairUSA has been equipping, selling, servicing and repairing experimental and sport aircraft for over 25 years.
The kits are manufactured by Fisher Flying Products from a design by G-Aerosports of Palaistra – Florina, Greece.
The parts are CNC cut in aircraft -grade aluminum, then pre-drilled and pre-welded before shipping.
Fisher was established in the 1980s and produces 14 light aircraft kits at it’s modern plant in in Dorchester, Ontario, Canada.
Kit PriciNG
We are upgrading the kits and finalizing prices. Material and equipment costs keep rising with the economy so we are not quite ready to pin down the final pricing but it should be in the following range: *
- About $47K for the SF1 Solo.
- About $56K for the SF2 Duo.
- This complete quick build kit includes everything except the engine package, avionics & paint.
*TO CUSTOMERS WITH EXISTING ESCROW DEPOSITS: We will honor the original price in your Archon purchase agreement.
Engine Options
All engine options will be offered as bolt on packages, including engine mount, gearbox, propeller, and all accessory components, attached oil/radiators.
- 900 series Rotax flyRotax.com
- AeroMomentum AM13 and AM15 Aeromomentum.com
- Heron turboprop GVA-130 Heronengines.com
How To Order
Call SportairUSA to review ordering details, deposit and the purchase agreement. Our telephone number is:
(501) 228-7777.
Your deposit is fully refundable.
Email us to receive updates on pricing and availability…
(501) 228-7777.
Email Address
Located at KORK North LIttle Rock Municipal Airport
8222 Remount Road
North Little Rock, AR 72116
Best Experimental Planes
March 7, 2023
This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Key Takeaways
- The best experimental plane is ultimately the one that best suits all your overall needs
- The fastest experimental design is the Lancair IV-P, whose top cruise speed clocks in at almost 350 mph
- Teh Lancair Evolution is the best experimental for seasoned pilots
- The Velocity V-Twin is the best experimental
- The easiest experimental kit aircraft design to build is the Hummel H5, which takes less than 1000 hours to complete start-to-finish
Experimentals come in all shapes and sizes these days. Spoilt for choices, it’s hard to pick the one that will give you the best experience.
The best experimental planes are the perfect aircraft for your needs. They include:
- Lancair IV-P - fastest top speed and cruise speed
- Extra 300SC - best for aerobatics
- Lancair Evolution - best for seasoned pilots
- Pelegrin Tarragon - best overall
- Velocity V-Twin - best twin
- Hummel H5 - easiest to build
With experience in nearly every aspect of aviation imaginable, I have long admired all types of certified and non-certified aircraft, and even worked for a company who used to sell experimentals prior to completing my flight training.
Table of contents
my criteria.
Experimental aircraft are one of those classes of aircraft that’s somewhat misleading. The general public, and indeed many pilots, often assume they are aircraft (particularly military ones) currently under development.
However, at least as far as the FAA registry and flight regulations are concerned, these are not the only types of “experimental” aircraft (these, in fact, are known as demonstrators). Instead, the FAA uses it as an umbrella term for a variety of aircraft types that don’t fit into any of the other aircraft categories laid out by the FAA.
For the purposes of this article, I am only including aircraft that fit into at least one of the following categories:
- Kit aircraft
- Ultralights
- Light sport aircraft
As such, no UAVs, demonstrators or air racers - all of which also fall into the “experimental” category - have been included.
When looking at the “best” of anything, it’s important to take into account the differences in pilots’ needs. After all, some will need speed above all else, whilst others will need something like simplicity, range or any other number of factors.
As a result, each entry on this list covers a different aspect of potential needs. These aircraft are chosen as they are the best in their particular sector based on my years of experience in the aviation industry and with experimentals in particular.
Lancair IV-P - Fastest Top Speed and Cruise Speed
The best experimental plane that you can use for frequent personal transport on long distances is the Lancair IV-P . The 'P' in the model name refers to the fact that this experimental plane is pressurized, making it one of the few pressurized experimental kits available on the market.
But that's not the only reason this plane takes the top prize among all experimental planes to be the best personal transport experimental plane. This plane, even when it is flying at its top cruise speed of almost 350 miles per hour, is, by far, the smoothest plane you will ever fly. And that includes Normal Category General Aviation twins.
Another reason this is one of the best planes ever designed, and not just in the experimental category, is because it is one of the easiest planes I've ever flown. Whether it's high-speed long-distance runs, or lazy-eights and chaendless, the aircraft handles with crisp yet graceful personality.
The flight characteristics that make it one of the best - like its handling, speed, and agility, sometimes are enough to make you forget that it also shines because it can be all those things while carrying four adults. When you want an aircraft to be your personal transport, you want to be able to take family, associates and friends.
If the plane has just seats for four but load limitations dictate just you and a bag, then there is no point. The Lancair is not that way. Its four seats can take 4 FAA-sized adults and still be able to top off the tanks.
With a fuel capacity of 90 gallons and a twin-turbo engine which burns 20 gph, flying at FL290, the Lancair can leap across 1300 nautical miles and still land with IFR reserves intact. It can do that without needing its passengers to tether themselves to oxygen cannulas because Lancair pressurized the IV-P.
And they did it with an aircraft made almost entirely of composites and similar other components. Its fuel burn of only 20 gph also makes it one of the most fuel efficient aircraft out there.
Whether you’re a passenger in the Lancair, or the Pilot in Command, the comfort you feel from smooth flight is only amplified by the characteristic peace you feel in the relatively spacious cabin. The thicker walls of the composite not only have good sound absorption qualities, making the cabin quieter.
Closer to earth, the Lancair proves itself yet again as it is able to leap off the ground on take off, and come to a halt on landing in fairly short distances. It is not necessarily a bush plane, but its wing area means it can land on turf, does really well coming in and getting out of paved and unpaved runways. Just needing 1500 feet to get out and under 2000 feet to get in, the Lancair can get to just about any airport in the country, or in the back country for that matter where there are lots of short runways.
The IV-P has optional speed brakes . Whenever possible you should get it, just because this plane was not designed to go slow, and so when you do want to slow it down, it will take a lot of effort and preplanning. In most cases, pilots extend the landing gear and deploy the flaps to decelerate, but since that can’t be extended until you’re at 145 kias, your descent profile from FL290 can get tricky.
But that’s about the only thing that you have to watch out for - speed management. Other than that the aircraft is as simple to fly as your first complex trainer.
When it comes to experimental planes, each design is built to do something specific really well - let’s call it its mission. The Lancair’s mission, something it does better than any other experimental aircraft out there, is to travel cross country quickly and comfortably without any fuss.
Extra 330SC - Best Experimental for Aerobatics
One of the sleekest, meanest experimental designs out there that looks as good with military livery as it does with racing stripes is the Extra 330SC - a low wing single engine aircraft tested for up to positive and negative 10Gs.
This single-seat plane has won numerous world titles, including the World Champion Aerobatic Aircraft numerous times. The Extra 330 SC has conventional wings and is one of the most robust builds in the world. It can take high-g maneuvers and perform with crisp agility that is limited by only the pilot’s skill.
The entire aircraft is built using advanced materials in addition to the advanced technology. That results in superior handling, low empty weight, high useful load, and better performance. The Extra SC works well as a sole transport vehicle, meaning you can take this on business trips. It would be the equivalent of arriving in an exotic sports car.
Able to travel at 200 knots, it has an endurance of 3 hours excluding VFR requirements. That lets you get to a meeting 500 nautical miles away. The aircraft is VFR-only, and other than a recreational pilot’s license or a Private Pilot’s license, there is nothing more you need to fly the plane.
It is the best aerobatics plane on the market because of its inherently negative stability profile that allows the aircraft to be manipulated into numerous attitudes of flight with relative ease. The high-wing loading design and relatively large ailerons result in lighting quick roll rates exceeding 400 degrees per second.
The increased roll rates and roll stops allow the aircraft to perform crisp maneuvers with military-like precision.
Aside from its ability to perform advanced aerobatic maneuvers, the reason the Extra 330 SC is the best in my view is that it is just amazingly fun to fly. From its rapid acceleration and short take off rolls, to its extended inverted flight ability, the 330 SC takes experimental flying to a whole new level.
The 330 SC is also one of the few aircraft to repeatedly win world championships and be the world’s number one choice among professional aerobatic champions. It is sold in the United States as an experimental aircraft since it is certified that way by the FAA but in Europe, it is fully certified as an aerobatic aircraft and often takes part in championships in the Unlimited Category.
The 330 SC is one of the best experimental kits also because of its engineering. Not only is the design well balanced and negatively stable, the aircraft is structurally superior to most production aircraft. This is from a structural perspective and from the use of advanced materials, since the aircraft is mostly made of composites, giving it huge structural integrity.
From an engineering perspective, the 330 SC sets the standards for experimental flying, highlighting stability benefits more so than aerodynamic ones that most engineers who are attempting to beat speed records do.
This is the other reason this aircraft, to me, flies so well. It’s more than just the aerodynamics, structure, and propulsion that has been meticulously bought together, it's also about human factors - the ergonomics of flight.
The cockpit, for instance, is snug, and offers a good feel for the aircraft, making the aircraft almost a natural extension of your body. Combined with the large bubble canopy, the 330SC provides unparalleled views of the flight environment.
While stability issues are primary in the design of the SC330, aerodynamics has not been abandoned. The aircraft hits the sweet spot when it comes to power-ascents to set up for a roll, and has the right drag profile to allow the plane to use drag as part of its maneuvers to result in some physics-defying moves.
Its advanced design includes a full carbon fiber wing assembly which integrates the fuel tank within, built strong and able to remain rigid with a steel roll cage that adds to the ability for the wing and body to withstand sustained 10G maneuvers.
Lancair Evolution - Best Experimental for Seasoned Pilots
The Lancair Evolution is fast, and built for pilots who know their way around speed and sophistication. From the moment you climb into its p[lush leather cockpit the luxury and advanced capability of the plane is evident.
The plane, while advanced, is easy to operate. From this perspective, a newbie can handle it. It’s as easy as driving the minivan to the grocery store. Even setting the power for takeoff is a breeze. Just key in your gross weight and the onboard computer calculates everything, including how much power to tap from the engines when the time comes.
In fact, the engines are not even physically connected by a cable or a push rod, it's connected by data cables to a computer. The computer gets the pilot’s input based on where the pilot places the throttle, and the computer tells the engine what to do based on environmental conditions.
When you’re using your experimental plane to get from point A to point B, and you want it to just get you, your passengers, and your cargo there, there is nothing better than flying the Lancair Evolution.
This plane is the best experimental plane for seasoned pilots because it is fast and it is as fully automated as you could possibly want it. The only thing it can’t do is taxi, takeoff and land by itself.
The Evolution is so powerful that if you don’t already have a good understanding of speed and timing, and a sound understanding of navigation, pressurization, turbine operation, it is going to get away from you and that is more likely to happen to a low-time newbie than an old hat.
Most of the aircraft is fully automated. You can program the auto pilot like a corporate jet pilot programs the FMS on his flight deck. Everything is at the push of a button or mouse-like controls on a digital screen. The cockpit is a full glass cockpit with advanced data and weather at our fingertips.
It’s so advanced, it's hard to believe that it is built from a kit. Afterall, not every kit plane can reach 270 knots (true airspeed) at FL280 carrying four occupants and golf clubs. And with all that power and reliability of a turboprop providing the power for thrust and pressurization, the feeling of having a Pratt and Whitney PT6 provides incredible comfort.
The flight deck is so advanced that it is possible to add autothrottles to the already-included FADEC setup. The auto throttles will allow you to set the autopilot for your climb, giving you the ability to set the climb speed and rate of climb while flying flat-footed and hands free. This is one of the major aspects of this plane that gets me the most excited - it's powerful and digitally advanced.
The Evolution is a serious piece of machinery. It can get you across 1,290 nautical miles - that’s like going from Key Largo to Boston on a full tank of gas in just under six hours. Non-stop.
And since it's powered by a turbine, you get bleed air de-ice systems. At 29,000 feet, you won't get into icing that often since going around towering columns of visible moisture that can be easily avoided since you have satellite weather feed on board.
Then there is the ability to perform like a mid-size jet, but when you return to earth, it behaves like an ultralight with the ability to get down and stop in less than 1200 feet of runway. Take-off is the same. It just needs 1200 feet. And since it can land on turf, you can fly it from the backyard of your beach house in Florida to the clearing near your cabin in Massachusetts.
Pelegrin Tarragon - Best Overall
The Pelegrin Tarragon is arguably the most fun experimental plane to fly. It is simple, with just the necessary VFR equipment installed, it seats two in tandem. While it's not fully aerobatic, it is a lot of fun to fly with the ability to do Lazy-8s, chanedells, loops, barrel rolls and even powerful enough to do knife edges.
Completely built from pre-preg carbon, the aircraft can handle significant loads in flight. The fuselage, from firewall to strakes is made as a single unit that is then mated to the cantilevered wing resulting in structural strength and flight stability that is uncommon for aircraft in this price range.
There are two reasons the Tarragon makes it to the list of the best experimentals, and specifically for the plane that is the most fun. The first reason is that the Tarragon is an absolute beauty and those who love the attention to detail will be pleased with this aircraft as every inch of it is meticulously molded and machined.
The Tarragon’s parts and panels are built to within tolerances of ten-thousands of an inch, giving them a snug fit when putting it together. Once painted, the Tarragon looks smooth and lends itself like a canvas to an artist to be painted on in any color scheme you see fit.
The second reason the Tarragon makes it to the list is because of the absolute pleasure pilots feel when flying this plane. It is as easy - or easier, to fly than the first primary trainer most pilots have stepped into.
The forward seating position is snug, giving the pilot a powerful connection to the plane. Sitting precisely on the centerline of the aircraft, and very close to the aircraft’s center of gravity which allows the pilot to feel the plane pitch and roll around him. Flying it for a short while can very quickly give the pilot a good feel for how the plane behaves and reacts.
When it comes to doing aerobatics, where you sit relative to the center of gravity determines how much you feel the plane. In essence, this is the only plane I can safely say, looks, and flies like a fighter jet. The fabricators have done such a good job of designing and manufacturing the fiberglass panels that the plane has no rattle and looks amazing, without any break in reflection lines - usually indicating poor assembly, workmanship, or molding.
Once you retract the gear, the Tarragon wants to do nothing else but fly so it accelerates quickly toward its screaming 190 mph top speed and climbs at its regular 2,500 feet per minute to get to its ceiling of 25,000 feet in just ten minutes from brake-release. But what is really amazing is that all this sounds like it will guzzle fuel. But it doesn’t.
The Tarragon is one of my personal favorites not because it costs about $50 an hour to fly, excluding purchase costs. But that number tells me how efficient and effective this plane’s design is. And, that is important to me. It sips just 4 - 4.5 gallons per hour and still gives me 190 miles per hour and 11 hours of endurance.
For a new builder, the precision of the fit will make it tremendously easy to put together. There are no parts that you will have to fabricate yourself. Everything is in the box. Even the engine and the prop. You have a choice of three engines, and there is the rumor of a turboprop engine being considered.
In my personal opinion, no matter how inexpensive this plane, how sleek it looks, or how little fuel it consumes to burn the airways, this plane is my personal favorite because it is just a pleasure to fly. It makes even the novice look like an ace aerobatic pilot.
Velocity V-Twin - Best Experimental Twin
Then there comes the time when you want to build yourself a twin engine aircraft. Whether it's for the surety over bodies of water, or you just like the sound of a twin telling you that you have two of everything. Whatever your reason, there is only one twin engine experimental aircraft that will come close to sweeping you off your feet and that is the Velocity V-Twin .
It looks like something out of a futuristic James Bond movie, and so right off the bat, the looks make it a winner. Most people who first look at it mistake the V-Twin for Beechcraft’s Starship with the twin pusher configuration and forward canard.
The design is one that would work well for new pilots, giving them the comfort of an added engine, and the comfort that a canard-configured aircraft like the V-Twin is next to impossible to stall (as its stall speed is in excess of 100 kn) and that makes it next to impossible to spin.
This Twin looks and feels like a Caddilac. Even the process of getting in is easy, and just because it's an experimental doesn't mean it has to look and feel like it was built in a garage. It doesn’t. It looks like it was built in a master craftsman’s lab.
Coming back to it looking like a Caddilac, it begins as soon as you walk up to it and pop the door. It’s a gull wing, and that means you don’t have to be a contortionist to get into the plane like most other experimental planes make you do. Don’t get me wrong, I love tight cockpits for aerobatic stuff, but when I am out with the family or taking a trip, comfort and redundancy are my main concerns.
The V-Twin satisfies both accounts.
The leather interior and padded ceiling go a long way in making it aesthetically a winner, the extra sound-proofing does a lot to absorb the sound, which is already minimal since the engines and the props are in the rear and as you fly forward, the frequency you are exposed to is less invasive.
Speaking of sounds, the vibration levels are pretty well muted as well. Not only are your ears spared, but so are your tactile perception of vibration since the composite structure insulates the cabin from aerodynamic and mechanical vibration to a high degree, keeping the cabin cozy enough to enjoy the in-flight entertainment that you can opt for in the avionics package.
Even with the added capacity you get to carry four adults and luggage with full fuel, the V-Twin will still hurry along at 185 knots (true) with just 75% horsepower. That should tell anyone who is observing that the plane has to be sleek enough to slip through the air for it to be able to get those kinds of numbers. And it is.
The thing that makes this aircraft the best of the experimental twins is that it does not fly like a twin, especially when one engine quits. Look, the whole point of getting two engines, aside from having two of everything while paying for two of everything, is about playing the numbers.
The odds of both engines quitting is rare and when one does, you have the other to keep you aloft. But people are scared away from twin engine aircraft because the moment one engine quits, most planes want to turn into the dead engine and roll toward it and make it harder to fly. Uncomfortable, I know. But that's because most twins have their engines out on their wings pretty far away from the centerline, and that creates a greater moment.
The V-Twin’s engines are closer to the center line and as soon as one stops generating thrust, there is some yay, but easily managed. Flying around to the nearest airport with one prop feathered, is a non-event on this experimental twin and that is one of the main reasons the V-Twin makes it to this best list.
Hummel H5 - Easiest Experimental to Built
And finally we have the best experimental plane that is easy to build and the least expensive of all the planes on the list. For under twenty grand and 1000 hours of build time you can be up and flying in a Hummel H5 .
The Hummel H5 is a low wing, single seat, single engine aircraft. If you have never built an experimental plane before and you’d like to dip your toes into the shallow end of the pool, this is the plane you want to get.
But if you think you are a little more along in your building skills, Hummel actually offers three options. The easiest is what comes with blanks. Blanks are sheet metal pieces that are all cut and ready for you to assemble according to their highly-detailed plans. But if you like, they will just sell you the plans, and you can do everything from cut the pieces, weld them yourself and put them together. Which you choose depends entirely on how skilled you are in metal work.
Putting this plane together will bring about hours of fun but less challenges as they are pretty straightforward. It should take someone with average tool skills about 800 hours to build it out, if you take the least complicated option that Hummel sells. If you just buy the plans, it will take as much as 3000 hours of work.
Once the plane is built, you will find that it's a single seater that has ample baggage allowance. A respectable 1000 foot per minute climb and a better than expected 130 mph cruise up at 7,000 feet is enough to get you to enjoy all the golf clubs in a five hundred mile radius.
Coming back to the building. The Hummel H5 makes it up to the top of the easy to build list for the simple fact that it is the only one on this list that uses a car engine, a VW engine to be precise, which you can get easily.
The other reason that contributed to the H5 making it to the top of the list is that it is made of all metal. From the structural tubing to the sheet metal skin that covers everything from the wings to the fuselage and control surfaces.
The beauty of working with metal is that it has a lower learning curve compared to learning how to work with composites. And, most folks are already set up or have workshops they have access to that can weld and shape metal more so than shape composites.
As far as flying the Hummel H5 is concerned, anyone with just 25 hours and a Recreational Pilot’s License will be able to pull it off. Aside from having a stick instead of a yoke, the plane is as simple to fly as an old barnstormer.
The flight characteristics of the H5 are unexpectedly brilliant.. For something that is as simple as the Hummel, it flies more straight and true than I would have otherwise anticipated. and handles on all three axes with such precision and grace that pilots are usually surprised. It is well balanced and positively stable.
The cabin will accommodate a stature that is 300 pounds and up to six and a half feet tall. Anything larger than that and you will have a little problem fitting into it or enjoying the plane. Likewise, its maximum gross weight clocks in at 850 lbs, a remarkable feat given how small the aircraft is.
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The SubSonex Kit
| Stall Speed (Vso): | 58 mph |
| Cruise: | 230-240 mph |
| G-loads: | +4.4/-2.2 (Utility) |
| G-loads: | +6/-3 (Aerobatic) |
| Max Range: | 410 miles |
| Gear: | Tricycle Retract |
Build and Fly for:
Sonex aircraft.
Coming Soon: JSX-2T Two-Place Jet
|
Subject to the |
SubSonex: Now is the Time to Get Your Jet!
| Available for $2,200 : $50,000 (base price) (for registration): |
About the Aircraft
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a personal jet, now is the time! The SubSonex extends the Sonex Aircraft 'Reality Check' philosophy to become the first truly practical and affordable personal jet for recreational flying. The first benchmark on the SubSonex 'reality checklist' is the fact that the aircraft has become a reality as an affordable Quick Build Kit . When you are flying a SubSonex, the $100 hamburger never tasted so good!
Nobody can deny that every pilot’s fantasy is to own and fly a jet! The SubSonex is designed to capitalize on new generation small turbine engines to give pilots of more average means the title of Jet Jock. SubSonex is all about taking a thrilling rocket ride around the neighborhood!
The SubSonex Personal Jet concept was first unveiled at AirVenture in 2009. After successful pairing with the PBS TJ-100 engine, the SubSonex JSX-1 prototype achieved first flight in August 2011 and completed a successful flight test program in 2012. SubSonex JSX-2 prototype achieved first flight in July of 2014, the first kits with engines were shipped to customers in February, 2015 and the SubSonex JSX-2 prototype can be seen performing at air shows around the country.
SubSonex Press Coverage
Rave reviews.
| The SubSonex Personal Jet has enjoyed a huge amount of great press since its introduction! Click on these magazine covers to read feature articles by industry mainstays and See more great SubSonex press coverage in the See all factory press releases about the SubSonex in the |
SubSonex Quick Build Kit
Quick in every way.
| The SubSonex is quick in every way, and that includes the kit! Our jet is sold only as a to ensure that pilots with the motive, means and opportunity to own and operate a very, very light jet can be successful. We want you to make the SubSonex a reality for your flying life in the shortest possible time with a streamlined, easy construction process. The SubSonex Quick Build Kit has been audited by the FAA's National Kit Evaluation Team and satisfies the requirements of the Experimental Amateur Built "Major Portion" rule, commonly known as the "51 Percent Rule." Learn More and download the FAA NKET SubSonex Check List on our |
| shown (for Experimental Exhibition category registration) with |
Ultra Quick Build Option:
| For only you can upgrade to the SubSonex Ultra-Quick Build Kit. The Ultra Quick Build Kit is intended for flight under Experimental Exhibition category rules. Without the "51 percent rule" restrictions associated with Experimental Amateur Built airworthiness certification, the SubSonex Ultra Quick Build Kit Upgrade includes the following additional features: Under Experimental Exhibition category regulations, SubSonex customers also have the freedom to take advantage of builder assist centers or aircraft finishing services to do some or all of the remaining work for them! Experimental airworthiness certification under the Exhibition category is perfectly-suited to the mission of an aircraft like the SubSonex. There are no 'proficiency flight area' restrictions required for aircraft of this type in the exhibition rules, and this is an aircraft that you'll certainly want to show-off at organized events. You can either fly the aircraft cross-country to an event, or utilize the SubSonex's easily removable outboard wing panels to transport the aircraft in a compact trailer. Pilots used to flying warbirds, competition aerobatic planes, sailplanes or other specialized aircraft are well-versed when it comes to working within the operational restrictions for exhibition aircraft, and the kit construction freedoms afforded to aircraft in this category is a perfect fit for the desires of many SubSonex Personal Jet customers. A downloadable has been prepared to help SubSonex customers make their decision. |
Retractable Landing Gear
Clean it up.
| The SubSonex JSX-2 Personal Jet features via a pneumatic (air powered) system, avoiding the mess of hydraulic fluid and system air bleeding procedures. The system includes a small air pump and accumulator tank. The tank automatically refills as-long as the aircraft master is on. Both Main and Nose gear feature over-center mechanisms for reliable down-lock of the gear, and the SubSonex Nose Gear is steerable. |
| The SubSonex Main Landing Gear features a unique integrated shock absorption/axle/brake housing assembly with an improved 4-pad hydraulic braking system similar to the Shock absorption is provided by heavy-duty machine springs in the retractable gear leg. |
Become a Jet Pilot!
Transition into the subsonex.
| Because there is no Type Certificate available for the SubSonex, pilots will need a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the FAA that is specific to the aircraft. Working commercial pilots operating jet or turboprop aircraft can easily qualify for the LOA. Pilots without previous jet experience can also qualify via the and several pilots with Sonex or other quick, light piston aircraft experience have received their LOA's via the BonusJet program. Check-out the for More Information about SubSonex Transition Training in the BonusJet! |
Join the SubSonex Mailing List
Subscribe to the subsonex mailing list, specifications & performance, specifications.
| Seats: | 1 |
| Length: | 16' 6" |
| Wing Span: | 18' |
| Wing Area: | 60.0 sq. ft. |
| Tail Configuration: | Y-Tail |
| Tail Height: | 60.5" |
| Tail Width: | 74.25" |
| Total Width w/Outboard Wing Panels Removed: | 76" |
| Air Foil: | 64-415 |
| Primary Structure: | 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Gear: | Tri-Gear, Retractable |
| Cockpit Width: | 24 in. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 40 US Gal. (useable with safe foam) |
| Stall Speed, Landing Config. (Vso): | 58 mph [93.3 km/h] |
| Stall Speed, Clean (Vs1): | 64 mph [103 km/h] |
| Max Flap/Gear Speed (Vfe/Vle): | 125 mph [201 km/h] |
| Maneuvering Speed: | 157 mph [252.6 km/h] |
| Never Exceed Speed (Vne): | 287.7 mph [463 km/h] |
| Performance | PBS TJ-100 Turbojet |
|---|---|
| Empty Weight | 500 lbs. [226.8 kg] |
| Max Range (no reserve) | 412 miles |
| Max Range (30 min. reserve) | 304 miles |
| Cruise Speed (Average) | 230-240 mph (TAS) |
| Cruise Speed (Max Range) | 232 mph (TAS) @ 17,500' msl |
| Max Thrust (PBS TJ-100 E3S) | 258.53 lbf [1150 N] |
| T.O. Distance | 1200 ft |
| Landing Distance | 2000 ft |
| Utility Category | PBS TJ-100 Turbojet |
| Gross Weight | 1000 lbs [453.6 kg] |
| Useful Load (average) | 500 lbs [226.8 kg] |
| Rate of Climb, SL | 1600 fpm |
| Rate of Climb, Avg to 10,000' | 1225 fpm |
| Positive Load Factor | +4.4 Gs |
| Negative Load Factor | -2.2 Gs |
| CG Limits | 20-32% Wing Chord |
| Aerobatic Category | PBS TJ-100 Turbojet |
| Gross Weight | 900 lbs [408.23 kg] |
| Useful Load (average) | 400 lbs [181.44 kg] |
| Rate of Climb, SL | 1958 fpm |
| Rate of Climb, Avg to 10,000' | 1465 fpm |
| Thrust to Weight at Aerobatic Max Gross | 1:3.48 |
| Thrust to Weight w/Light Fuel Load | 1:3.26 |
| Positive Load Factor | +6 Gs |
| Negative Load Factor | -3 Gs |
| CG Limits | 25-29% Wing Chord |
| Specifications subject to change without notice. |
What Will My Project Cost?
See detailed pricing below with our cost estimating worksheet* and see why Sonex aircraft offer the Best Sport Aircraft Performance Per Dollar!
| SubSonex Personal Jet | |
|---|---|
| $50,000 | |
| Included | |
| $75,000 | |
| $9,604 | |
| $2,050 | |
| ( registration only) (includes nav, position and strobe lights):
*This chart / worksheet is provided to help you calculate an estimated finished cost of your airplane. While these finished costs are accurate as of the date of publication, they are not guaranteed. Some of the items needed to finish your aircraft are not provided by Sonex.
All Prices Subject to Change without notice.
| |
| |
The PBS TJ-100 Turbojet Engine
The heart of the subsonex.
The TJ-100 turbojet engine is produced by PBS Velká Bíteš of the Czech Republic, a large manufacturer of rotary machines with roots dating-back to 1814. The TJ-100 is designed for UAV, UCAV, experimental aircraft and motorized gliders with hundreds of units delivered since its introduction in 2008.
The engine is a true "plug & play" package featuring integral ECU, starter/generator and oil system, and ships complete for the SubSonex with engine instrumentation, throttle control, pre-wired harnesses and other installation components. The 258.53 lbf [1150 N] thrust engine continues to exceed the expectations of PBS designers and customers alike, with flawless performance and an outstanding service history, all backed by top-notch customer service. The TJ-100 can fit in a small crate to be economically shipped for service to the PBS factory.
PBS TJ-100 E3S Specifications*
| Max Thrust (max 5 min.) | 258.53 lbf [1150 N] |
| Electric Power Output | 650 W |
| Specific Fuel Consumption (max thrust) | < 1.1376 lb/lbf/hr |
| Fuel Consumption at Idle | 11 gal/hr |
| Outside Diameter | 10.7" |
| Engine Length | 24.6" |
| Engine Weight | 43 lbs |
| Max Operating Altitude | 32,808 ft. msl |
| Max Starting Altitude | 19,685 ft. msl |
| Flight Speed Range | 0 to 0.8 mach |
| Speed Range for Startup | 0 to 0.6 mach |
| Fuel Requirements | JET-A, JET-A1, JP4, JP8, TS-1, T2, RT |
| Lubrication | according to MIL-L-23699 (Mobil Jet Oil II, Aeroshell 560) |
| *Model and Specifications for SubSonex application subject to change without notice. | |
| |
COMMENTS
Van's Aircraft is the leading designer and manufacturer of kit aircraft, with more than 10,000 flying aircraft and a wide selection of available models. Find out why so many people choose to build and fly experimental Van's RVs!
Performance is strong in this one. Engines from the Lycoming O-290 up to the O-360 can be accommodated, and an S-18 with a 180-hp engine and constant-speed prop is said to go 180 mph in cruise and climb at a strong 1500 fpm. Currently, the full kit runs just over $20,000 for the two-seat taildragger. Van's Aircraft RV-4. RV-4 . Kit cost: $18,180
Marc Cook is a veteran special-interest journalist who started as a staffer at AOPA Pilot in the late 1980s. Marc has built two airplanes, an Aero Designs Pulsar XP and a Glasair Aviation Sportsman, and now owns a 180-hp, steam-gauge-adjacent GlaStar based in western Oregon.
We have 173 Experimental/Homebuilt Aircraft For Sale. Search our listings for used & new airplanes updated daily from 100's of private sellers & dealers. 1 - 24. Login; Sell Now; Aircraft; ... ANG PATRIOT PLANE KIT (2) CARBON CUB EX (2) CARBON CUB FX3 (1) CC11-100 SPORT CUB (1) CC11-160 CARBON CUB SS (1) CC19-215 XCUB (1) CH601 (1) CH650 B (2)
But at $2 million a pop, it's never going to happen. So that brings me back to the Jabiru. For $60,000 (used, in good condition) it's reasonably fast, affordable, and if cargo space is a measure of utility, the Jabiru 230/250 is the one of the best, if not the best, two-seat aircraft for cross-country flying.
Browse through the various aircraft kits and airplane plans available for you to get started on building your own homebuilt aircraft. 🎆 🎇 🎆 We hope you had a blast and were amazed with tonight's night air show.
Murphy Aircraft is a homebuilt experimental aircraft manufacturer located in Chilliwack BC, Canada. 7 different models: Renegade, Maverick, Elite, Rebel, Yukon, Moose, and Radical ... aluminum kit aircraft. Gross weight of 3,500 lbs. and a useful load ranging from 1,550 to 1,850 lbs. Engine Options range from a Lycoming IO-540 to a M-14P radial ...
The RV-4 holds two people and a moderate, but useable, amount of baggage. The seating is compact but still comfortable. It is flown from the front seat only, but the kit includes a stick for the rear-seater so he or she can share the fun. It is designed for engines of 150-160 horsepower, although engines as small as 125 hp and as large as 180 ...
Overview. The RV-7/7A is one of Van's most popular current designs, with 1,955 having flown to-date. Since the RV-7/7A replaced the most popular kit aircraft in history, Van's RV-6/6A, this is probably no surprise.. About 70% of our customers prefer side by side seating and the RV-7/7A has a roomy cockpit that will easily accept two 6' + adults with sufficient leg, head and elbow room to ...
The company offers pre-molded kit planes giving customers have access to customization, builder support, flight training, and conditional inspections. Velocity, Inc. has 35 years of building high performance aircrafts. The Velocity is a composite built cross country machine. The company offers pre-molded kit planes giving customers have access ...
The Lightning kit is considered a quick build kit in industry terms with the highest completion rate of any similar performance experimental aircraft kit. Some other kits are taking their builders in excess of yen years to build. Yes, the Lightning is truly a quick build kit that meets the 51% rule for Experimental Amateur Built (EAB) aircraft.
EXCALIBUR is an Approved FAA 51% experimental amateurbuilt aircraft kit! The Excalibur is a tandem seating two place, high wing experimental amateurbuilt aircraft in a pusher configuration. In the U.S.A. it is available in kit form, and is approved by the FAA as a 51% aircraft kit. In Canada the Excalibur is available as an Amateur-built ...
Van's Aircraft, another kit provider, estimates it can take 1,200 to 1,400 hours over several years to complete a standard kit. Lancair Mako Composite Kit Plane. Key Characteristics. ... (experimental amateur-built) category. The EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) estimates that more than 33,000 amateur-built and homebuilt aircraft are ...
The Sling 4 Turbo's turbo-normalized Rotax 914 engine, combined with the Airmaster Electric Constant Speed Prop, provides outstanding performance. At max gross weight, with 4 adults onboard and full fuel, the Sling 4 Turbo climbs at 900 fpm. It maintains a solid indicated airspeed up to altitude resulting in cruise performance of 130 KTAS+.
With the SF1 or SF2 Archon Kit you can build your own. Modern fighter aircraft "are designed to project air dominance," according to the US Air Force. The Archon (Archon is the ancient Greek word for "ruler") captures that spirit of dominance in its physical package and in the joy of flying it. The Archon can be fitted with ROTAX 912 ...
5. Here we are again with our annual "directory" of homebuilt aircraft that are available as kits, plans or both. The 2022 Homebuilt Aircraft Directory has a few changes in format. The big one is the exclusion of all companies no longer in business from the printed version. There's value in seeing some of the data about airplanes that you ...
The best experimental plane is ultimately the one that best suits all your overall needs; The fastest experimental design is the Lancair IV-P, whose top cruise speed clocks in at almost 350 mph; ... The easiest experimental kit aircraft design to build is the Hummel H5, which takes less than 1000 hours to complete start-to-finish ...
SubSonex Hardware Kit from Aircraft Spruce & Specialty. ... UCAV, experimental aircraft and motorized gliders with hundreds of units delivered since its introduction in 2008. The engine is a true "plug & play" package featuring integral ECU, starter/generator and oil system, and ships complete for the SubSonex with engine instrumentation ...
OSH Live Interview with Rotax's Marc Becker. Kitplanes - July 30, 2024. Marc Cook interviews Marc Becker, head of Rotax's aviation division about what's new with the company, development of the new 916 iS and a host of other topics relating to the Experimental and Light Sport categories.
The RV-10 is designed to fly well on the bulletproof six-cylinder Lycoming O-540 engine, developing 260 hp. In our prototype, power is provided by a fuel-injected 260 hp Lycoming IO-540. When many pilots say "performance" they really mean "speed.". The RV-10 is a fast airplane - it will cruise just under 200 mph - but speed is only ...
Find the best new and used aircraft for sale such as business jets, helicopters, Experimental, Warbirds and more. ... LANCAIR LEGACY KIT • $72,500 • AVAILABLE FOR SALE • Kit with lots ... EXPERIMENTAL BI PLANE FRAKL 90 • $4,000 • TAKE ACTION NOW! • Thought it a steel at 100000 now at 4000 must move! Has Air Worthiness. ...
However, if you're stuck needing to eat on a plane, Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist who focuses on how environments impact taste at Oxford University, has some recommendations. 4 ...
Viperjet N999VJ is right at home at Chino Airport in Southern California, where L-39s and F-86s are a common sight. Unfortunately they all share a common trait of devouring huge amounts of Jet-A on every flight. Back in 1999, Rusty Skinner had the itch to build an airplane. He was looking for a high-performance craft with some real speed.
A US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber recently used a new anti-ship weapon to sink a decommissioned warship in the Pacific and a cargo ship off the coast of Florida. The US military hails this ...
A used RV-10 will cost somewhere in the range of $140,000 to around $275,000, depending on age and condition. A legacy six-cylinder Continental-powered SR-20 can be had for as little as about $130,000, and up to something over $400,000 for a current one with a 215-hp four-cylinder Lycoming. (Cirrus photo: Larry Anglisano.
Marc Cook is a veteran special-interest journalist who started as a staffer at AOPA Pilot in the late 1980s. Marc has built two airplanes, an Aero Designs Pulsar XP and a Glasair Aviation Sportsman, and now owns a 180-hp, steam-gauge-adjacent GlaStar based in western Oregon. Marc has 5000 hours spread over 200-plus types and four decades of flying.
Pumping avgas and waxing flight school airplanes got Tom into general aviation in 1973, but the lure of racing cars and motorcycles sent him down a motor journalism career heavy on engines and racing. Today he still writes for peanuts and flies for fun.