The Most Popular Home-built Aircraft, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the home-built aircraft you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 14, 2024 07:13
Building an aircraft from scratch is a remarkable achievement, reflecting not only a builder's skill and dedication but also their passion for aviation. By ranking these home-built aircraft, enthusiasts across the globe can share insights about their projects, learn from others' experiences, and perhaps even find inspiration for their next big endeavor. This voting system allows the community to highlight the most admired and successful builds, helping others to see which designs and features resonate with fellow aviation aficionados.
Given the sheer labor and ingenuity that goes into constructing a home-built aircraft, understanding which models capture the imagination and admiration of the public can be very telling. This list serves as a barometer for popularity and practicality, offering a dynamic snapshot of trends in the world of amateur aviation. Your votes help to acknowledge the creativity and hard work of the builders, guiding newcomers in their journey through the rich landscape of aviation craftsmanship.
What Is the Most Popular Home-built Aircraft?
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123votes
Ahunt at English Wikipedia · Public domainVan's Aircraft RV-8
Van's AircraftThis aircraft is a popular choice for home builders due to its versatility, ease of construction, and performance capabilities. It can be used for aerobatics, cross-country flights, and even as a trainer.The Van's Aircraft RV-8 is a popular home-built aircraft designed for aerobatics and cross-country flying. It is a two-seat, low-wing monoplane with exceptional performance and handling characteristics. The design allows for a fast and smooth flight experience while maintaining excellent maneuverability.- Length: 21.0 ft
- Wingspan: 24.0 ft
- Height: 7.5 ft
- Empty Weight: 1,050 lbs
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 1,800 lbs
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238votes
Ahunt at English Wikipedia · Public domainThe Sonex is a popular choice for home builders due to its ease of construction and low cost. It is a single-seat aircraft that can be built with a variety of engines.The Sonex Aircraft Sonex is a popular home-built aircraft that falls into the category of light sport aircraft. It is a single-seat, low-wing monoplane designed for recreational flying. The aircraft's construction is primarily made of aluminum, featuring an all-metal airframe that is both lightweight and sturdy. With its sleek and streamlined design, the Sonex offers excellent performance and handling characteristics to the pilot. It is a true sport plane, providing an exhilarating flight experience. The Sonex is often praised for its simplicity and affordability, making it a popular choice among aviation enthusiasts who wish to build their own aircraft.- Type: Light sport aircraft
- Seating capacity: 1
- Wingspan: 17.5 ft (5.33 m)
- Length: 18.8 ft (5.72 m)
- Empty weight: 457 lbs (207 kg)
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319votesThe Zenith STOL CH 750 is a popular choice for home builders who want a versatile aircraft that can take off and land in short distances. It has a high wing design and can be built with a variety of engines.The Zenith STOL CH 750 is a popular home-built aircraft designed for Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities. It is a two-seater high-wing monoplane, specifically engineered for off-airport operations and rough terrain landing and takeoff. The aircraft features a robust construction and a versatile design, making it well-suited for various applications, including recreational flying, backcountry exploration, and utility purposes.
- Type: Home-built aircraft
- Seating capacity: 2
- Wingspan: 29.5 ft (8.99 m)
- Length: 23.3 ft (7.10 m)
- Height: 8.2 ft (2.50 m)
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425votes
FlugKerl2 · CC BY-SA 3.0Rans S-7 Courier
Rans DesignsThe Rans S-7 Courier is a popular choice for home builders due to its ease of construction and low cost. It is a two-seat aircraft that can be built with a variety of engines.The Rans S-7 Courier is a high-wing, two-seat home-built aircraft designed for short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. It is a popular choice among recreational pilots who enjoy exploring remote areas and engaging in off-airport operations. The Courier is known for its simplicity, ruggedness, and versatility in various flying conditions.- Wingspan: 28 ft 8 in (8.7 m)
- Length: 20 ft 9 in (6.3 m)
- Empty Weight: 750 lb (340 kg)
- Gross Weight: 1,320 lb (599 kg)
- Maximum Speed: 120 mph (193 km/h)
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57votesThe Kitfox is a popular choice for home builders due to its versatility and ease of construction. It can be built as a two-seater or a four-seater, and can be used for a variety of purposes including aerobatics, cross-country flights, and even as a floatplane.The Kitfox is a popular home-built aircraft known for its versatility and performance. It is a lightweight two-seater that falls into the category of light sport aircraft (LSA). The aircraft has a sturdy construction and features a high wing configuration with conventional landing gear.
- Maximum Speed:: 140 mph (225 km/h)
- Cruise Speed:: 110 mph (177 km/h)
- Stall Speed:: 35 mph (56 km/h)
- Range:: 500 miles (805 km)
- Service Ceiling:: 15,000 feet (4,572 meters)
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616votes
Arpingstone · Public domainVans RV-7
Richard VanGrunsvenThe RV-7 is a popular choice for home builders who want a high-performance aircraft that can be used for cross-country flights and aerobatics. It has a low wing design and can be built with a variety of engines.The Vans RV-7 is a two-seat, single-engine, low-wing home-built aircraft designed for recreational flying and aerobatics. It has gained popularity among aviation enthusiasts due to its sleek design, excellent performance, and versatility. The RV-7 excels in both cross-country flights and aerobatic maneuvers.- Length: 20 ft 4 in (6.20 m)
- Wingspan: 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
- Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
- Empty Weight: 1,020 lbs (463 kg)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 1,800 lbs (816 kg)
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75votes
Ahunt · Public domainPiper PA-12 Super Cruiser
Piper AircraftThe PA-12 Super Cruiser is a popular choice for home builders who want to recreate the classic Piper aircraft of the 1940s and 1950s. It is a two-seater that can be built with a variety of engines.The Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser is a popular home-built aircraft that was designed as a high-wing monoplane with excellent short takeoff and landing capabilities. It is often used for recreational flying, aerial photography, and bush flying. The Super Cruiser is known for its rugged construction, versatility, and smooth handling.- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 3
- Length: 21 ft 7 in (6.58 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 7 in (10.85 m)
- Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.94 m)
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87votes
Spartan7W · CC BY-SA 3.0The Glasair Sportsman is a popular choice for home builders who want a versatile aircraft that can be used for cross-country flights, aerobatics, and even as a floatplane. It has a high wing design and can be built with a variety of engines.The Glasair Sportsman is a versatile and highly regarded home-built aircraft known for its exceptional performance and rugged design. It is considered one of the most popular home-built aircraft due to its adaptability for various missions and its capabilities to operate from a wide range of surfaces.- Cruise speed: 150 kn (173 mph; 278 km/h)
- Engine: Lycoming IO-390, 215 hp
- Type: Four-seat home-built aircraft
- Wingspan: 35 ft 7 in (10.8 m)
- Length: 23 ft 4 in (7.11 m)
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98votes
FlugKerl2 · CC BY-SA 3.0The RV-10 is a popular choice for home builders who want a four-seater aircraft that can be used for cross-country flights. It has a low wing design and can be built with a variety of engines.The Vans RV-10 is a four-seat, single-engine, low-wing home-built aircraft. It is designed for cross-country flying and offers comfortable accommodations for a small family. The RV-10 is a versatile and widely popular kit plane known for its performance and reliability.- Length: 25 ft 3 in (7.7 m)
- Wingspan: 32 ft 6 in (9.9 m)
- Height: 8 ft 9 in (2.7 m)
- Empty Weight: 1,720 lb (780 kg)
- Gross Weight: 2,900 lb (1,315 kg)
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103votes
FlugKerl2 · CC BY-SA 3.0Velocity V-Twin
Velocity, Inc.The Velocity V-Twin is a popular choice for home builders who want a fast, twin-engine aircraft. It has a low wing design and can be built with a variety of engines.The Velocity V-Twin is a popular home-built experimental aircraft known for its sleek and sporty design. It is a two-seater, pusher-propeller, canard-style airplane built primarily of composite materials.- Wingspan: 25 ft 2 in (7.67 m)
- Length: 19 ft 10 in (6.05 m)
- Height: 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
- Empty weight: 1,100 lb (499 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,100 lb (953 kg)
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Ranking factors for popular home-built aircraft
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Availability of kits and plansA popular home-built aircraft should have readily available kits and plans for potential builders, which makes the building process easier and more accessible.
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AffordabilityCost plays a significant role in determining the popularity of home-built aircraft. The more affordable the aircraft, the more likely it will be built by enthusiasts.
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Ease of constructionA popular home-built aircraft should have simple and straightforward construction processes that do not require excessive experience or advanced skills. This allows enthusiasts of varying skill levels to successfully build and fly the aircraft.
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Performance and flight characteristicsThe aircraft should offer desirable performance characteristics, such as good handling, speed, and fuel efficiency, to attract builders and pilots.
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SafetyA popular home-built aircraft should have a proven track record of safety and reliability, giving builders and pilots confidence in the design.
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Community supportA strong community of builders and pilots for a particular home-built aircraft can indicate its popularity. This support can come in the form of online forums, social media groups, local clubs, and gatherings, providing assistance and camaraderie to fellow enthusiasts.
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Customization optionsA popular home-built aircraft should offer a reasonable amount of customization options, appealing to builders who want to personalize their creation.
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Awards and recognitionHome-built aircraft that have received awards and recognition, either from aviation organizations or their peers, can serve as indicators of their popularity and success within the community.
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Cross-compatibility with other aircraftSome home-built aircraft have parts, tools, or building techniques that are interchangeable with other popular aircraft. This can make the building process easier and more efficient, increasing the popularity of the aircraft in question.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular home-built aircraft. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or home-built aircraft is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2008 views
- 152 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each home-built aircraft once every 24 hours. The rank of each home-built aircraft is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular home-built aircraft
Home-built aircrafts have been gaining popularity over the years, as more and more aviation enthusiasts seek to build their own planes from scratch. These aircrafts are typically constructed in a garage or workshop, using kits or plans that are widely available online. Home-built aircrafts offer a unique and personal flying experience, as pilots get to fly in a plane that they have built with their own hands.
When it comes to the most popular home-built aircraft, there are several models that stand out. The RV series, designed by Richard VanGrunsven, is one of the most popular home-built aircraft series in the world, with over 10,000 planes built to date. The Sonex Aircraft also has a large following, with its sleek and modern designs. Other popular models include the Zenith CH750, the Vans Aircraft RV-12, and the Kitfox.
Home-built aircrafts are subject to strict regulations and safety standards, and pilots must undergo rigorous training before taking to the skies. Despite the challenges, the satisfaction of building and flying a home-built aircraft is unmatched, making it a popular hobby for aviation enthusiasts worldwide.
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