Financing Experimental and Homebuilt Aircraft

FLYING Finance gives buyers and builders a rundown for unusual financing needs.

Saturday, June 06, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

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Van's RV-12iS [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Financing experimental amateur-built aircraft presents unique challenges compared to certified aircraft, requiring lenders to establish market value through criteria like the "25-and-3 rule" (25 registered, 3 for sale of the same make/model).
Loans for completed experimental aircraft typically involve higher down payments (minimum 15%) and shorter terms (10-20 years) due to the perceived higher risk for lenders.
Financing a build-in-progress for an experimental aircraft is particularly difficult, with home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) often being the most practical solution until the aircraft is completed and can be refinanced.
Insurance for experimental aircraft is more complex and expensive than for certified counterparts, demanding thorough documentation (build logs, photos, inspection records) due to unique underwriting considerations like build quality and limited historical data.

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Experimental amateur-built aircraft are no longer a niche curiosity at the far end of the ramp.

According to testimony the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) delivered to Congress in 2023, amateur-built aircraft account for more than 17 percent of the entire active single-engine piston fleet in the U.S., and the community adds approximately 1,000 new homebuilt aircraft to the National Airspace System (NAS) every year. The active amateur-built fleet has grown more than 30 percent over the past two decades, and in 2025 fatal accidents in that segment declined by more than 25 percent compared to the previous decade.