The Best Place to Build a Kitplane

Two popular choices for most builders are to either utilize available space at home or a hangar at the airport.

Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 10:35 AM ET

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This Sonex fuselage, one wing, tools and a small fridge are ready for the journey to the airport via snowmobile trailer. [Credit: Jon Croke]

Key Takeaways:

The two primary options for building an airplane kit are an airport hangar or a home workshop, each presenting a unique set of advantages and challenges.
Building at an airport hangar offers ample space and convenience for final assembly but often comes with drawbacks concerning climate control, adequate utilities, security, internet access, and travel distance.
Building in a home workshop provides comfort and accessibility for frequent, shorter work sessions, with space limitations managed by constructing components like wings and fuselage separately.
Transporting a home-built aircraft to the airport for final assembly and first flight is a manageable logistical step, typically achieved using a simple trailer for the larger components.

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You and your airplane kit deserve a comfortable workshop area for the many days of building that lie ahead. If you are a first-time builder or are considering an aircraft kit purchase, one of the very first questions you may be asking yourself is, “Do I have enough space to build this thing?”

The two popular choices for most builders are to either utilize available space at home or to build in a hangar at the airport. Everyone’s situation is different so there is no “one size fits all” here. For example, let’s be jealous of those who live on an airport property as their building and flying all take place in the same location.