Personal planes AKA How hard would it be to build one youself?

[RainDreamer]

I just wonder how are those craft approved to be flown in the air by authorities.

[Xorth Tanovar]

I'll stick to mine, an '87 Paraplane PM2.

Granted, not as flashy as newer UL's, but I look at it this way....if the 'chute doesn't inflate you don't get off the ground, and if one of the 2 engines quit the 'chute is already open....just guide to a landing spot within the remaining glideslope. 10 hours of instruction was all that was required...

[cantab]

Yeah, planes aren't that hard to build. However they demand a lot of training to fly - I've heard that the effort just to get to 'first solo' in flying is about the same as for becoming a fully qualified driver, and at that point you are still a long way off having a pilot's license. Planes need an airport, and "roadable aircraft" have their own problems - one design infamously had the car bit come off the wings on a flight killing the occupants. Light aircraft still expect a lot of pre-flight checks, whereas modern cars are pretty much start engine, seatbelt on, drive.

[Beowolf]

23 hours ago, RainDreamer said:

I just wonder how are those craft approved to be flown in the air by authorities.

You're missing the whole point of the ultralight category. They AREN'T approved by anybody. The governments have simply chosen some limits like maximum weight and horsepower, and require a low stalling speed so you are less likely to get into fatal trouble near the ground. Within those limits, in most countries nobody has approved either the aircraft's design or the pilot's competence.

Between the low speed and light weight, they're no more dangerous to bystanders than a go-kart, so nobody worries about it.

Next is the experimental aircraft category, where you can personally build pretty much any insane design you want, but have to have an FAA representative inspect it for "general airworthiness", which sounds awfully vague to me. Once approved, you can treat it pretty much like any private plane, but for non-commercial purposes only.

[RainDreamer]

23 minutes ago, Beowolf said:

You're missing the whole point of the ultralight category. They AREN'T approved by anybody. The governments have simply chosen some limits like maximum weight and horsepower, and require a low stalling speed so you are less likely to get into fatal trouble near the ground. Within those limits, in most countries nobody has approved either the aircraft's design or the pilot's competence.

Between the low speed and light weight, they're no more dangerous to bystanders than a go-kart, so nobody worries about it.

Next is the experimental aircraft category, where you can personally build pretty much any insane design you want, but have to have an FAA representative inspect it for "general airworthiness", which sounds awfully vague to me. Once approved, you can treat it pretty much like any private plane, but for non-commercial purposes only.

Oh, I was just wondering since even drones require licenses and subject to regulations now. Interesting to know.

[Beowolf]

Just now, RainDreamer said:

Oh, I was just wondering since even drones require licenses and subject to regulations now. Interesting to know.

Found a list of the regulations by-country: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultralight_aviation#Definitions

 

[Wjolcz]

So... A single seater that has mass below 300kg is not considered an airplane in Europe? Am I reading this right?