Kit planes, kit copters and kit cars are often built to be sold so it seems pretty “normal” for a weird item but it being from 2007 and not flown is a big red flag, maintenance has probably been neglected just because they haven’t been using it.
Aircraft repairman here: corrosion is a thing. I’ve actually encountered more airplanes that were destroyed by improper storage than in-flight accident.
If the engine wasn’t preserved it could be hosed, a lot of smaller helicopters use belt drives, the belt is probably dry rotted…
Kit cars can be really nice and I know some of the planes and helicopters are highly sought after due to them having different regulations from mass produced planes and copters. Some people build them as a job, a built kit car Shelby Cobra might cost you 100k but that’s a lot less and a lot easier to get than the million dollar plus real deal.
Presumably, they are essentially buying a kit, building, then selling at a higher price in return for their labor. Building a functioning and safe aircraft is a lot of quite skilled labor, so paying for that is reasonable. But at the same time, you arent paying for the stamp of approval or large fees for transport and storage that you would buying from the manufacturer directly. And the manufacturer may only sell kits, since full assembly isnt in their realm of expertise (at least, at the profit margins they are making). So for a hobbyist, this can split the difference between paying tons for a professionally made, fully fledged aircraft, and buying a kit to build yourself.
So, with ultralight aircraft that might be a thing; ultralight aviation is governed by FAR part 103, which is literally a page long. There are basically no safety or certification rules for ultralight vehicles or their components. You can strap a weed eater engine and a tablecloth to a lawn chair all you want.
Once you get up into N-numbered, you need a pilot’s license to fly this aircraft, there are two avenues to building your own: E-LSA or EAB. It is illegal to assemble either aircraft with the primary intent to sell them. Even if it wasn’t, the operating limitations on E-LSA or EAB aircraft make them kind of undesirable.
Kit planes, kit copters and kit cars are often built to be sold so it seems pretty “normal” for a weird item but it being from 2007 and not flown is a big red flag, maintenance has probably been neglected just because they haven’t been using it.
Granted I know nothing about mechanics and aircraft, but if it was say, in a hanger under a tarp, would you still need to do maintenance?
No, maintenance still must be performed. Engines lock up, joints and seals get dry rotted, critters and corrosion etc.
Oh cool, The more you know!
a boat is a hole in the water you pour money into to. a plane or heli are just holes in the sky you pour money into.
well, if you don’t want to die when you try to use them.
this is rowboat slander
haha go hang out with the kayak kids and the paddleboard dads
Aircraft repairman here: corrosion is a thing. I’ve actually encountered more airplanes that were destroyed by improper storage than in-flight accident.
If the engine wasn’t preserved it could be hosed, a lot of smaller helicopters use belt drives, the belt is probably dry rotted…
Also it’s an ultralight so I’m not touching that.
“To be sold” as in ripping off a bitch or is there a market for janky shit?
For ultralight aircraft? Absolutely.
If the thing weighs less than 250 pounds you don’t have to have a pilots license or aircraft registration.
Kit cars can be really nice and I know some of the planes and helicopters are highly sought after due to them having different regulations from mass produced planes and copters. Some people build them as a job, a built kit car Shelby Cobra might cost you 100k but that’s a lot less and a lot easier to get than the million dollar plus real deal.
Check out the stuff from Factory Five
Presumably, they are essentially buying a kit, building, then selling at a higher price in return for their labor. Building a functioning and safe aircraft is a lot of quite skilled labor, so paying for that is reasonable. But at the same time, you arent paying for the stamp of approval or large fees for transport and storage that you would buying from the manufacturer directly. And the manufacturer may only sell kits, since full assembly isnt in their realm of expertise (at least, at the profit margins they are making). So for a hobbyist, this can split the difference between paying tons for a professionally made, fully fledged aircraft, and buying a kit to build yourself.
So, with ultralight aircraft that might be a thing; ultralight aviation is governed by FAR part 103, which is literally a page long. There are basically no safety or certification rules for ultralight vehicles or their components. You can strap a weed eater engine and a tablecloth to a lawn chair all you want.
Once you get up into N-numbered, you need a pilot’s license to fly this aircraft, there are two avenues to building your own: E-LSA or EAB. It is illegal to assemble either aircraft with the primary intent to sell them. Even if it wasn’t, the operating limitations on E-LSA or EAB aircraft make them kind of undesirable.
Oh, ok. I didn’t realize where the labor came in. It sounded like they were just inserting themselves somehow as a middle man.
And, I agree. I wouldn’t even want a land vehicle that wasn’t put together with skill. Let alone something possibly capable of air travel.