Customer Reviews

Kit Airplane Construction

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The book helped me most in the following areas:

1) What is involved in kitplane construction - risks and benifits, even the benifits of purchasing a used certified aeroplane.
2) Showed me how to think in terms of aviation building with safety as a priority.
3) Covers info from the kit purchase stage to the test flight.
4) Emphasized that it is helpful to understand all forms of construction (metal, wood) no matter what kind of aeroplane you are building. The book covers composite, metal, metal monocoque, wood construction.

This is a must buy for people who are wondering what it takes to build a kitplane and are undecided about whether they should build one.

This book is not biased in stating everyone can build a homebuilt. Infact early on Ron makes it clear that homebuilding is not for everyone. He takes you through the different construction materials as well as things that you don't think about. The case studies are what realy makes this book standout. These are planes being built by people with the same amount of aircraft construction as any person contemplating building.

I like this book. The author made me think of the pros and cons of building a kitplane versus buying a certified model. It almost seems like he tries to talk you out of it at first. This makes you think if you have the space, time, skills, and dedication to build your own safe airplane. I definitely recommend it to anyone thinking about homebuilding. After that, the author dives into all of the various construction methods and gives quite a bit of detail on each. I was surprised. He even includes case studies of each type of construction (ie composite, metal, wood, etc) on a particular builder and their project. READ IT!

I have been reading this book for some time now. Mr Wanttaja has written this book in such a manner that it provides comprehensive information for all intending aircraft builders or homebuilders who have already begun their projects, on all aspects of homebuilding. From organising finances, to choosing the right kit and components to what sort of hardware to use for different applications. Furthermore, he presents his information in laymans terms so that even the most inexperienced of us who would like to get involved in homebuilding get a reasonable understanding of those operations which must be performed. I would recommend this book to anybody considering building an aircraft.

An amazing amount of information for the homebuilder. Very well written, entertaining and up to date.

I wish I'd had this book when I was getting my A&P (airframe and power plant) license. Its not a substitute for the AC 43.13 (Advisory Circular 43.13 Acceptable methods for repair and modifications), but the second half of the book is a good auxiliary text.

Mr. Wanttaja is taller than the average pilot, and I am even taller than him. I've tried on a couple of Europa's but they were each too small. I've flown in a GlasAir Glastar and it was big enough for two good sized men.

He provides three tables of dimensions - headroom, hip room, and leg room, generated from data he's taken from existing home built aircraft, and they were enough to convince my wife that the GlaStar was big enough for me (and thus her, as she's average build for a woman).

There are many advantages to folding wing aircraft, including less hangar space required, and easy transportation. Storing at the house and hauling to a hangar doesn't seem to be much of an advantage after his explanation of the stresses and strains on a towed airplane.

I could go on and on about what's covered in this book, but instead, I'll do Mr. Wanttaja a favor and recommend you buy this book first, if you are at all interested in homebuilding. Whether of not you actually even start a plane you'll be glad you did; and even gladder if you have it while you are building.

CAVU

This is another great addition to my library. Very informative, I really like the case studies.

This is an easy to read book about the pitfalls, traps, concerns and absolute joys of building and flying your own Kitplane. Not a comprehensive text, but it is an *Excellent* place to start! I bought a copy!

Just the best book pertaining to the subject that I have seen. Thorough coverage of most all areas involved in homebuilt aircraft by a knowledgable author who has been there. Excellent!

I think that this is the definitive kit plane reference for those contemplating building the same.

The book is well written in an easy to understand style and provides a great insight into what's involved. It covers all aspects of construction and also includes a lot of honest, upfront details about the real costs involved.

I also purchased a copy of "Choosing your Homebuilt" and while this provides much of the same information it does so in a much more superficial manner compared to this book. The only advantage of Ken Armstrong's title is the flight reviews, which although useful are somewhat dated with many of the listed manufacturer's no longer in business...

Therefore if your budget allows purchase both, but if I had to choose just one it would have to be a copy of the "Kit Airplane Construction"