10 TIPS You Need to Know BEFORE You BUILD a Kitplane! 

In 1974 I was successful enough that I made a list of the top ten things I wanted to do. I shared that list with my wife and we talked about it. Number one on the list was to get my pilots license and number two was to get a much nicer boat. I became a student pilot and loved it. As time went on in my training my wife told me that she was really scarred of flying and told me nicely she wouldn't fly with me in a private plane. I thought hard and long about it and decided to move on to my second choice. She is gone now after 52 years of marriage. Although it was the right decision then, there is still that longing within me to fly. There is also the far greater feeling that I wish she were here with me now. So...in the end the choice is yours.

Correct on all Tips. 🤠 Staying single biggest bonus tip . 😄🤣

Yes, yes I am. I always wanted to fly and love building and repairing things. But to be honest, it will never happen. Life through in many blocked runways. Love your videos but they are very hard to watch without a great feeling of loss and regrets. Please don't take that the wrong way. Keep living the dream. I heard you say in one video that it was a great day to fly in Michigan, I also live in Michigan and as a child, we were on Isle Royle when one kid had an appendicitis attack and had to be flown out. It was so cool watching that plane land on one of the interior lakes, in the morning and then take off. I often wondered what that view looked like from the plane. Yes, he was ok, thanks to everyone involved especially the pilot!

Your bonus tip been silently haunting me the last year, and I finally did it. Just got started. Well, working on the shop, and ordered my first kit from Vans.... Thanks for taking up space in my head, this better work out! ;-)

Actually, you can land a Glasair on a sandbar. You just won't be able to fly it off again.

Tip number ten... you are a f****** genius !!

I'll never build one - nor every learn to fly this late in my stage of life. But enjoy watching your videos. Take care - be safe and have a great day.

I agree with most of your tips, but not the bonus one. My wife is helping me build our RANS S-21 and having an extra set of hands is very helpful. It really sped up the inventory process. I also agree on the factory tour. I visited Van’s and Glasair back in the mid 90s, but with family and career could not build a plane then. Both of those companies treated us well and Van’s even gave my wife an RV-6 demo ride in addition to me. Two years ago, shortly after I retired, my wife and I attended a Vans builder SportAir workshop. Even though I am a high-wing man at heart, I just did not like the looks of most all-aluminum high-wing models available. Nothing against Zenith, as I hear great things about them, but I just find their airplanes ugly. I mentioned to the workshop instructor during a break that I was planning to build a Van’s RV-14, but really wished that Van had produced a high-wing design. The instructor asked me if I had looked at the RANS S-21. Somehow I had missed that model introduction. I took a look and was sold. I had a trip to Alaska by motorcycle planned for 2019 so on the way back we detoured a little to pass through Kansas and visit RANS. I was quite impressed that Randy and Shelly personally gave us a tour and answered my questions. Even as small as Van’s was back in 1996, I never saw Van during my factory visit and the same at Glasair. So, shortly after returning home, I placed my order for an S-21 and almost exactly a year later I picked up my kit in July. I am getting off to a slow start as I also had a severe leg break (both bones) in May and that prevented me from getting my workshop ready so I am now building workshop furniture and storage in parallel with the airplane. And I can still only do a couple of hours on my feet at a time which is a nuisance. Also, buying tools is taking longer than normal due to the covid overreaction by our government. Things I used to get in two days from Amazon, now take 7-10 days and I have twice lost that much time waiting for a tool I needed. However, winter should be a great time in the workshop as the tool supply should be nearly complete (trying to read ahead now to anticipate) and the workshop work should be complete so that all focus can be on the airplane.

I'm a bicycle mechanic that's interested in aviation. 10:22 I'm pleased to see the aviation industry hasn't stopped printing 'Parts Bibles'. The cycling industry used to have printed parts books until they started to be phased out in the early aughts. Maybe I'm just old, but unnavigable links on webpages and similar parts being multiple clicks away as opposed to a simple turn of the page creates difficulty in parts comparisons. I know the the theory is to have a continuously updated catalog with current inventory and pricing. It doesn't work though. I apologize for my rant. I'm glad that some aviation parts-catalogs are still printed and easy to cross-reference.

Good video!

Great advice.

Another great video mark. Thanks for sharing. I hope to get started on a kit when my boys are a little older, some time when they can really start to help.

Thanks for the very helpful information and ideas.

One of the best tips/advise I've ever heard of about my dream, especially tip num 6 and the bonus one, Thanks alot mahn keep it up keep em coming.

I pick up my CH 750 SD at the factory homecoming on Friday. Couldn't be my excited. Your videos have been both inspiring and helpful. This will be my first build so I need all the help I can get.

Very informative! Great video!

Thank you for taking the time and creating this video.

Great tips, Mark. I wouldn't know what would be an easier material to work with between the types of construction methods you mentioned. However, I started with the number of people in my family (4) and used that as a starting point for my mission and envisioned me flying us around the country (possibly the world) in an RV-10. I'm going for my PPL right now after taking an aviation break for the past 25 years. After all, I'm going to need that card with the Wright Bros. on it in order to fly my creation. Oh, and I'm doing all this while cris-crossing the country in a semi, keeping the shelves of America stocked.

I like your approach of just do it, like my motto. Stop talking and do it. I was going to build a aircraft so that my son could get his hours. I was also building a yacht. So I stopped the aircraft and built the 43'yacht, it took 12 years I now have crossed the Atlantic east to west and west to east and my son is a captain flying a B777 with thousands of flying hrs. I have seen many of your videos and have enjoyed watching. Happy flying.

Good idea to make a video on this subject!!!

Great video Mark!! I think I have this conversation 10 times per week and I could not fault a single thing you said. I am actually surprised how little new learning there was on a Zenith. By the time you finish the rudder you're about 90% of the way to being an expert! Thanks mate.

Great info Ty. hello from Australia

Another great video! Something every first-time builder should see! In conjunction with Tip #11, an easy way to get started is to do a small project such as a rudder kit like Zenith offers. By the time you finish that smaller component, you'll know if kit-building is right for you or not!

Having owned an airplane before my inspiration is to build my own aircraft and be able to work on it free from the A&P constraints. Build and rent until completion is the plan.

Awesome.

Excellent video Mark. I would love to do this but it is a bit more restrictive and expensive in the UK. For the time being I am happy to vicariously build through your good self!

Trip to the zenith factory coming up in 3 weeks. 😎

Excellent video

Love the intro to tip #10 😂 👍

Clear, succinct and very valuable tips, thanks for putting this together!!! This year is the year I’m going to finally order my kit!

Absolutely phenomenal!!.

Great advice! I had been pondering about ordering a kit for about 3 years. Finally, I decided to “just do it”. 😉 I was really apprehensive like your “extra tip” explained. During those years, I have met many people on forums, at OshKosh, local fly-ins, and EAA chapter members. So after a many month wait, my kit should be arriving in about 4-5 more weeks. Then let the fun (or frustration) begin! I’m excited to see what I will accomplish.

I am interested in building a plane is my dream but in my country (Greece) it is expensive and difficult because the state itself does not help you. It is also taxed annually. Lot of money. But I like how you explain and how precise you are in the construction details. I follow you with joy. I'm sorry if you don't understand me well I don't speak English well.

Superb

great video

Mark... I've been following you since you started the Cruiser ( she is beautiful ! ) . I've been preparing my garage and should be ordering my kit by the end of September. After going through the process you mentioned, I've decided on the 750 STOL. Health issues force me to fly SLA . I live on 50 acres so plans are in the works for about 1800 ft. grass strip. You and others on you tube have inspired me, Thanks! Blue Skies!

Very interesting, thanks! I know that I'll never have a kitplane but somehow I like the way you explained me why! I wish you good luck with that 'swoosh-thing'... :-) greetings from EDDE (GER)

Doing the final assembly (checking my Dynon / UL power wiring now) on my CH750 STOL and then off to paint. I have had a hoot. I will miss building. Great factory support. Besides visiting the factory and talking to fellow builders another good marker is the number of Kits bought versus completed. You forgot to mention the amphibious boat plane builders. They are a different breed. :-)

Getting the family involved is huge. I wouldn't have dreamed of tackling our monster of a kit if my wife and extended family wasn't on board to help make it happen. An airplane is a family investment whether the spouse wants it to be or not. Might as well get all hands on deck and make the project go that much faster!

I like tip #10 Mark!😁

Tip number 10 😂😂 too funny

This was an EXCELLENT video kind Sir. Excellent tips, fantastic presentation, and chock full of truth regarding Aviation and its costs. Hope to build the ch750 STOL in the near future. Mission: 800 ft RW.

Great info for new comers, remind them if they want to get their feet wet they can start with just a rudder Kit not much invested to see what it is like.

You've been watching Think Media, haven't you? :D If not, you're following a lot of tips they've been pushing for creators. Also, like the videos you've done. Please keep 'em coming!

Best tip was the last one

YES

Just do it, that is all!

That is a very handsome aircraft you were showing in the video. Was that a full built unit or built as a spec unit? Btw has Nikk's plane been built yet? He seems to have vanished from u tube. I seen a video where your shop was building the wings and thought maybe KitFox going to do it all. Well thank you for showing the beautiful plane. Best of luck to all.

ok ok ok Yes I have been sanding fiberglass for years

Tip #12: Dont be afraid to make mistakes. You will no matter how careful you are. Get over it and keep going.

I love your "Blue Angels" aircraft and your thorough explations in your new build. Keep it going. Jorge Wright from Argentina.

"Just Du It! " will do it!!

jeez, wish I'd heard the "don't get married and keep your toys" earlier, lol

Think about a aluminum push pull design

I've been so torn between the 750 Cruiser and the RV-9 for over a year now! My mission is flying on weekends for fun, and the occasional (once a year?) cross country with my wife. So difficult to decide! Please tell me what went wrong at Vans, I think it'll help me finally make my decision. Great content as always, Thanks!

Pick the kit visit the factory, organize your shop, pegboards help, get the kit do an inventory as you unpack, organize parts in order of assembly, work 2 hous a day longer on weekends. Last 10% takes 90% of time.

Help! I just love the RV12, Rans S19 and Sling 2 airplanes, but I love the visibility in the cruzer. Which plane that you have built would you say is your favorite and why? I think Zenith planes are ugly and for roughly the same investment I could build a RV12 or S19. Thanks for your videos and advice, instruction. I find it highly valuable in the kitplane community

Who was the company that didn’t treat ya well on the visit? Was it vans since they are the biggest (i think)?

Where can you buy them

Thank you

What is the airplane at 4:37

11:43 mark hit home, getting married in a few months.... thanks. -_-

Fabric vs Metal?

A wise man once told me....."Builders build and flyers fly. If you want to fly now, go find the best example, already built, and write the check."

Hey, you jump from 6 to 8 and 8 to 10. Where is Tip Nº 7 and 9??. Anyway, very useful tips, thank you!

Why is the Mooney tore apart? Annual time?

So Van's didn't treat you well, huh?

500 🤘

Is that a Cougar on the shelf behind you?

My little girl is turning 2... im about 2 years behind on my project.... hmmmm

Where do I find a half built kit

Hahaha just do it

The problem with me is; no one makes the plane I want. I am going to have to design my dream plane from the ground up... I actually really dislike a lot of the kitplanes available.

Working number come

Best tip Ever!!! Don't get married and have children Dude, where were you 25 years ago when I needed that advice!! Now, Pfff.... I don't even want to talk about it, lol I'm going Flying, to rise above it all 👍 and to the wife and kids....🖕

oh cool if i stick around out of the 29,000 people that watched this i get a bonus tip, just for me 🥳🤭

Damn it I got married a year ago. Think it's too late to get it annulled?

Ma col decimo... Va in mona! 🤣 Ma ti pare che devi essere tu a dirmelo? Per favore 😊

watch out for kitplane mfgs who aren't giving you a full set of drawings with the plans. Some of them pull shady tricks and leave out large sections of the aircraft to try and force you to buy their overpriced assemblies. reputable operations like vans give you a full set of plans you can build from scratch or repair with. it's an experimental kit plane....you should have all the drawings

he forgot the most important thing to consider......shipping and material costs have gone through the roof, you'll go broke ordering odds and ends from spruce.....beware

Awesome video, as always. I do hate you a tiny little bit (#10) after watching it, but I'd already hit the like button before getting there, so... meh.

Hahahaha I think you dont like fiber glass 😂 (sorry about my english 😅)

Good on you for having the where with all to not get married, have kids, and be saddled with a lifetime of misery, poverty, and basic disappointment...The wife will get fat, divorce you, and let the gov't help her rob you...All the while not even using a weapon or wearing a mask...The kids will develop a deep hate, resentment and most likely contribute nothing to your mental health...And, that's if they move out of your house... Many people including myself didn't take your advice, path, or use simple logic, arithmetic and foresight...Years later, the damage is done and in some cases as some of my associates, insurmountable....Essentially, kidnapped and held for a lifetime of ransom demands and payments...Cheers 🍻!!!!...

Oh, also... you are supposed to get a video out about picking paint schemes for 750 series Zeniths. Apparently your either way to busy or just plane lazy!

Namaste call come

Congrats on no kids! You are a hero!