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 growing market of "non-builder owners" (NBOs) acquiring experimental/amateur-built (E/AB) aircraft presents significant safety challenges due to their lack of intimate builder knowledge, leading to a high accident rate in the initial hours of ownership.
Unlike certified aircraft, E/AB planes exhibit wide variations in construction quality and design, making a thorough pre-purchase inspection by an expert familiar with the specific aircraft type essential.
To mitigate these risks, NBOs are strongly encouraged by industry leaders and organizations like EAA to engage with the E/AB community, pursue specialized transition training, and utilize dedicated safety resources to understand and safely operate their unique aircraft.

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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.