Getting Started In Aircraft BuildingSport Aviation - 10/99By Ron AlexanderPerhaps you are wondering whether or not you should build an airplane. Or maybe you have madethe decision to build but do not know where to begin. Perhaps you have started to build and thenstopped for one reason or another. There are many questions that often arise pertaining to aircraftbuilding in general. Why build an airplane? What is available to construct? What skills do I need?What type of airplane should I build? Specifically, what is required in this process of constructing anairplane? How do I overcome the obstacles that may prevent me from completing the project? Thisdiscussion and subsequent articles will address these and other common questions that new buildersoften ask.Custom aircraft building is one of the primary forms of recreational flying. Certainly, many peoplehave successfully built their own aircraft. Over 20,000 aircraft are currently registered asamateur-built. Many people have built more than one airplane. Virtually any person with nominal skillsand the willingness to make the commitment can do it. Notice I mentioned the word "commitment." Itis important to understand that building your own airplane does require a commitment on theindividual's part and on the part of the family. I will discuss what is required later. Building an airplanefor your own enjoyment is certainly nothing new. We can consider that the Wright brothers wereprobably amongst the first "homebuilders."In 1947 individuals were first allowed to build their own airplane and have it certificated for flight by thegovernment. In 1953, Paul Poberezny founded the EAA. This began a movement that has enduredthrough the present time. Many people began to enjoy actually building aircraft and then flying them.Believe me, in the early days it was truly aircraft building. Kits that simply needed to be assembledhad not been developed. During the 1970's and 1980's several new designs came into being. Customaircraft b