Build Your Own Aircraft
FAQs
The Toronto chapter of the Recreational Aircraft Association is a collection of aircraft enthusiasts who meet regularly to discuss all things related to building and maintaining home-built aircraft. We meet the first Monday of every month at Hangar 41, Brampton airport. https://raa-toronto.ca). Guests are always welcome.
Why Build Your Own?
A combination of cost and litigation, especially in the mid-1980s era, discouraged general aviation manufacturers from introducing new small aircraft designs and led to homebuilts outselling factory built aircraft by five to one.
Sonex
How do I start?
Basic research can be done on the web by ‘googling’ amateur aircraft building. This will show you the diversity of what is available. By attending a meeting of the RAA-TR, first Monday of every month at 7:30, Hangar 41, Brampton Airport. Guests are always welcome.
Acrosport
How long does it take to build an aircraft?
That depends on your knowledge, experience, skill set, the type of aircraft, time available to the builder, & cash flow availability. A single seat aircraft takes about 2000 to 5000 hours. One chap took 22 years (due to major life-milestones).
What types of Aircraft can be built?
All types are available as plans and kits, as well as partial completions. Seaplanes, taildraggers, tricycle gear, high wing, low wing, single seat to 4-place are all available configurations, and can be found as kits in wood and fabric, fabric covered steel tubing, sheet aluminum, fiberglass and composites.
Van’s Aircraft RV7
What resources are needed?
Plans, Space, Tools, Knowledge, and of course Cash.
The detailed plan of what A/C you are building, the space where you will build it, and where assemblies can be left undisturbed while working upon other components. Planes have been built in a spare room in an apartment, basements, garages or large sheds. Tools will be your own plus those to be acquired for special work. Knowledge is the most useful tool and is best acquired from other builders’ experiences, so joining a club provides information on procedures, material sources, helpful shortcuts, and sharing of specialty tools.
Bowers Fly Baby
Do I need a pilot’s license?
No, but most builders have one. Some acquire the license while they are building their plane. To fly the finished project yourself you will need one, but you can
always find a willing pilot to take you up in your plane.
Bearhawk Aircraft
How much will a home-built aircraft cost?
A small single-seater starts at ≈$20k (circa 2024), with the cost rising to over $100k for a fully decked-out 4-seater. (a brand-new Cessna 172 is above $250k).
Rutan Long-EZ
What about Engines?
Engines are most often the same as, or similar to, the engines used in certified aircraft (such as Lycoming, Continental, Rotax, and Jabiru). A minority of homebuilts use converted automobile engines, with Volkswagen air-cooled flat-4s, Subaru-based liquid-cooled engines, Mazda Wankel and Chevrolet Corvair six-cylinder engines being most common. The use of automotive engines helps to reduce costs, but many builders prefer dedicated aircraft engines, which are perceived to have better performance and reliability. Other engines that have been used include chainsaw and motorcycle engines.
Murphy Moose
What is the Recreational Aircraft Association – Toronto Region ?
This is a group of ≈ 100 enthusiasts who have built, are building or are going to build, their own aircraft from scratch. The club has its own hangar at the north end of Brampton Flying Club where monthly meetings are held at 7:30 on the first Monday of every Month. Everyone is welcome.
