There are a large number of plans built as well as kits for “experimental” aircraft available in the U.S. market today. The December 2010 issue of Kitplanes magazine (kitplanes.com) shows 320 designs that can be purchased. There are undoubtedly more that do not make the magazine. Since I mention Kitplanes magazine I have to also mention the other magazine and primary organization that promotes the experimental airplane movement, the EAA. Check it out at www.eaa.org.
Unless you have a lot of experience building radio controlled planes, are an Aeronautical Engineer (self taught like the Wright Brothers or more likely from an accredited school), it is unlikely that you will be able to come up with a flying design from scratch on your own.
So, the most common (and sensible) approach is to obtain a completed and tested design and do your best to follow the plan laid down.
The Sonex is a proven design with over a thousand sold and something in the order of 300 flying at this time. It is based on the philosophy of a good comprimse between simplicity and economy ($25K for a basic flying plane) along with a very robust structure.
My overall reasoning for choosing the Sonex include: 1) it is relatively low cost, 2) I feel by following the plans I can succeed (i.e. complete a flying plane), 3) I can build it from scratch, which helps point #1 (we’ll see…) but more importantly, a scratch build design provides the “enjoyment” of doing it myself.
Without a doubt, it would be cheaper to just buy an older single engine Cessna 150. But this is about learning and doing. Two things I’ve always enjoyed.
Above all, my expectation and plans include doing it in a safe manner. I (we, Tim and I) are not the first to do this and the path is well documented. It can be done, we believe, safely. There are certainly risks but living on the edge is not what either of us are about.
Dan Theis.