license question

[nidaho]

has anyone ever bought and started building a kit before getting their pilots license. i have wanted to build and fly a plane for more than 15 years and am finally financially ready. not sure if this is a good idea or not. also trying to decide between a lsa and a pp license i dont think i need the private pilots license, i cant see myself every wanting to go into towered airspace or flying something bigger. . maybe im wrong and i should get private pilot license first and then order a kit? the whole thing is a little nerve racking lots of time and money, i dream of flying every time i see a plane go over head. gotta do something, time keeps on ticking by i aint getting any younger. any advice from those that have done it would be great thanks willy

[jiott]

Yes, I ordered and built a Kitfox SS7 before I had a pilot's certificate. At age 69 I finished building it (took 2+ years) and got the airworthiness certificate. THEN I went to Stick & Rudder in Boise to get my Sport Pilot certificate. Then I did my maiden flight and now, at 77, I have 960 hours in my tailwheel Kitfox (1075 hrs total) and am having the time of my life.
A Sport Pilot certificate only has the following restrictions:
- Light Sport aircraft only
- No night flying, day VFR only
- No instrument flying
- Must always have visual reference to the ground
- Stay clear of clouds 500/1000/2000'
- Can't fly into Canada (bummer)

[napierm]

I started TW training in a Talorcraft. Good start although I found my KF3 to be more sensitive on the ground.

[henrysamson]

Yes, I ordered and built a Kitfox SS7 before I had a pilot's certificate. At age 69 I finished building it (took 2+ years) and got the airworthiness certificate. THEN I went to Stick & Rudder in Boise to get my Sport Pilot certificate. Then I did my maiden flight and now, at 77, I have 960 hours in my tailwheel Kitfox (1075 hrs total) and am having the time of my life.
A Sport Pilot certificate only has the following restrictions:
- Light Sport aircraft only
- No night flying, day VFR only
- No instrument flying
- Must always have visual reference to the ground
- Stay clear of clouds 500/1000/2000'
- Can't fly into Canada (bummer)

You sir are an inspiration!

[jiott]

I have the proper endorsements so even as a Sport Pilot I can fly into any towered airspace B, C or D.

[nidaho]

i work full time from april to january and part time in winters. i could work couple hours a day 3 or 4 times a week and at least one full day on weekends and in winter probably at least couple full days during the week. would a two year build time be reasonable for a first time builder. i really dont see a need for a full private pilots license but not sure how else to go about it. my airport doesnt have any lsa planes to train in. stick and rudder looks pretty appealing might have to go that direction. lots of planning ahead and everything is booked way out, sounds like in need to get the kit and start building

thanks for input willy

[GuppyWN]

Current rules for sport pilot are LSA only. If any of you buy a Kitfox and put a constant speed prop on it, it's no longer LSA. It's a big world out there. I always recommend a full pilots license unless you have underlying issues that drive you toward LSA.

[nidaho]

thanks for response, appreciate it willy

[Dave S]

Willy,

A few years back we had a teamkitfox list member who built his kitfox first, then received his pilot's certificate in the plane he built.

OK - so that sounds a bit different. You can't receive instruction in an experimental that has not completed phase 1 testing.

More to the story. The person had an acquaintance who was an instructor; and, who was willing to do the phase 1 testing for the builder. After phase 1 was complete, the builder went on to receive instruction from the test pilot/instructor in the plane he built achieving his private pilot certificate in short order.

All depends on your situation, many ways to skin that cat.

[Av8r3400]

I've known several people who have built planes over the years and some never getting a license or flying them, they just love to build. So, It certainly can be done that way.

I would council to go for the PPL if you can afford it. There will be advantages in that the additional training gives you. Usually leads to at least better insurance rates. It also opens options for you to fly other aircraft if you choose later. Renting a Cherokee or 172 to take more than one passenger for a flight is one reason. Maybe you don't see this now, but why restrict your options?