Buying Experimental Aircraft, Demystified

Consider these expert tips before purchasing a homebuilt aircraft.

Monday, January 02, 2023 at 05:54 PM ET

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“CubCrafters is one of the few aircraft manufacturers that offers similar aircraft in both certified and experimental categories," said Brad Damm, vice president of sales and marketing for CubCrafters. [Credit: Stephen Yeates]

Key Takeaways:

The increasing market for "Non-Builder Owners" (NBOs) purchasing pre-owned experimental/amateur-built (E/AB) aircraft leads to significant safety risks, with a high accident rate in the initial hours of ownership.
E/AB aircraft differ greatly from certified aircraft in build quality and design, requiring NBOs to understand their unique characteristics and not expect them to function identically to factory-built planes.
To mitigate these risks, NBOs must conduct highly specialized pre-purchase inspections by type-experienced professionals, engage with the aircraft's builder community, and undergo thorough transition training.

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The lines blur in between the worlds of certified and experimental/amateur-built aircraft—and to most, that’s a good thing.

The demystification of the building process and the advent of quick-build kits and builder support mean there’s a wider variety of models to choose from for pilots wanting to take advantage of the technology access and added value offered by kit built aircraft.