Amateur-built and experimental aircraft - Australian Transport Safety ...

3.5 Building
• build time
• special features such amphibious, canard, classic, or replica aircraft
• features such as folding wings, or ability to push and pull the aircraft on the
ground
• less regulation
• education.
3.5.1 Built and flown ABE
Figure 47 indicates that about 80 per cent of respondents had built and flown their
own ABE aircraft. Seven people indicated that their aircraft was second-hand, but
that they had built and flown an ABE aircraft. The most likely scenario in these
cases is that these respondents had built an ABE aircraft prior to purchasing another
second-hand ABE aircraft. There were three respondents (making up less than one
per cent) who indicated the aircraft was not second-hand, and that they had not built
and flown the aircraft. The most likely scenario in these cases is that the
respondents were given the aircraft by a relative or friend.
Figure 47: Built and flown an ABE aircraft
Number of aircraft build
Most respondents (80 per cent) in this survey built one aircraft (N=268). About 15
per cent built two or three aircraft, and a couple of respondents built six and eight
aircraft. Aircraft builders who construct more than one aircraft appear to fall into
four general categories. There are those who favour building:
• the same aircraft, or an aircraft from the same manufacturer, sometimes a later
model
• high performance aircraft
• aircraft of the same construction, for example all wooden aircraft
• aircraft for a specific purpose, such as amphibious operation.
These observations are qualitative because only a small number built more than one
aircraft.
- 59 -