Concept Aircraft: Prototypes, X-Planes, and Experimental Aircraft

"The Rutan Voyager, (left) the first aircraft to fly around the World without refueling, is a notable example of an experimental aircraft In generic use, an experimental aircraft is an aircraft that has not yet been fully proven in flight. Often, this implies that new aerospace technologies are being tested on the aircraft, though the label is more broad. Experimental aircraft is also a specific term referring to an aircraft flown with an experimental category Airworthiness Certificate. The term experimental aircraft is often erroneously used to mean homebuilt aircraft. While most homebuilt aircraft are registered as experimental category aircraft in the U.S., there are many types of experimental aircraft that are not homebuilt. The United States Federal Aviation Administration requires an Airworthiness Certificate to be maintained as part of the official paperwork associated with each aircraft. Aircraft produced by certified aircraft manufacturers will go through an extensive period of testing to prove that they are airworthy. These tests cover everything from engineering and construction to the flying characteristics of the aircraft in question.

In the eyes of the FAA,and CASA in Australia, an Experimental Homebuilt Aircraft is not constructed by a licensed aircraft manufacturer. Instead, at least 51% of the aircraft is constructed by a private individual; the remaining 49% percent can be purchased from a kit manufacturer. In the past, far less than the allowed 49% of the kit was assembled by the manufacturer of the kit. Now, the majority of experimental aircraft builders purchase kits that are assembled by the kit manufacturer up to the 49% limit. These are often called "quick build" kits.

Homebuilt aircraft are built from materials in one of four categories: rag and tube, metal, wood, or composite materials (fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc.). The first category, describes a building method where the aircraft's superstructure is built using welded steel or bolted aluminum tube covered with Dacron fabric. This fabric can be painted to stiffen it. The second category, metal, describes the common all aluminum aircraft. Examples of this kind of experimental aircraft include Murphy Aircraft's kits and the Vans RV series of 1,2 & 4 seater kits. Finally, the most recent addition to the fleet is made using Sandwich structured composite methods. This category is notable for its designs employing body curvature and light weight which would be impossible with the other materials. "
This information found: Wikipedia Encylopedia

Experimental Aircraft and Parts

Experimental Aircraft

Homebuilt Aircraft

Aircraft Kits

Experimental Aircraft Parts

Enter your search terms Submit search form

Private Pilot License Training Now You Can Learn To Fly Easily & Get Your Private Pilot Licence Done In 30 Days Or Less. Complete groundschool course with 3000 pages of exam guides and Q&As! Click Here to check out this school! Photo used under Creative Commons from Puggles

Susan Dietel
Web Programmer
Email: susansdesign@yahoo.com

Experimental Aircraft for Sale. Experimental Airplanes, Helicopters, Kits and Engines. Manuals, Parts, Design, Plans and Information on Experimental Aviation Aircraft.
experimental
aircraft
airplane
design
research
for sale
helicopter
aviation
concept
fact file
kit
engine
plan