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Check out the Experimental Aircraft Association. If you have one in your city and you like planes definitely pay them a visit. It's a niche group of guys making
by Mizoguchi 4y ago
Check out the Experimental Aircraft Association. If you have one in your city and you like planes definitely pay them a visit. It's a niche group of guys making their own planes and flying them and they are usually pretty excited about visitors. I went a few times and got on a couple of rides. They even offer free clases for those wanting to learn how to fly. Some of the crazy things I learned is that you can build your own plane for under $10K and if it is under certain weight, I believe 400 lbs, you can flight without a permit. Some planes feature a nice kit of avionics but some are completely manual, not even a radio. The stall speed of the ones I flew I believe is 45 mph and max speed about 80 mph but some little jets can go 200-300 mph.
- 0_____0 4y agoWith the weight limit you're referring to the part 103 rules addressing ultralight aircraft. 14 CFR 103.1(e)(1) [If powered:] Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation;
- Mizoguchi 4y agoThanks for the clarification/correction. It seems crazy to me some rules are so relaxed. I remember asking if there were any limits on where they could flight their experimental planes, say urban/densely populated areas, the answer was "nah".
- 0_____0 4y agoI had the same reaction! Shockingly laissez faire for the FAA.
- gsk22 4y agoWell, there are no special restrictions for experimentals over populated areas, but they are still subject to all the standard restrictions (1000ft above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2000ft) and any airspace restrictions.