By Tom Poberezny, President, Experimental Aircraft Association

Introduction to the exciting world of homebuilt aviation... Kits can make life easier... The choice is wide... Alternative powerplants... Good news in the regs... Join the fun.

Why do so many fail?... How long will it really take?... How strong is your marriage?... Life as a prisoner... A question of skill... Let's talk money... Give some people enough rope... What's next?

Take an honest look... Quality time... Jet jockeys, caution!... Be sure you're ready... The high cost of "pilot error".

Calculating the true cost... Two types of cost... Fixed costs... Losing interest?... Operating costs... Remember the TBO... Conclusions.

Take your time!... The criteria... The compromises... Runway requirements... Lets look at legs... How many seats?... Stability and load limits... Open or closed cockpit?... Speed, sweet speed... How far can you go?... Knowing when to fold... Visible means of support... What it's made of... One yoke or two?... Start from scratch or get a head start... The quest for power... Here's the pitch on props... Who sits where?... How about the baggage?... The modern electronic cockpit... And for the real do-it-yourselfer... Let's inspect your factory... Tools of your trade... Conclusions.

Which is for you?... Buying time with a kit... Bird makers can fly the coop... Just plain plans... The middle route: a materials package.

Better now than later... Will you be building a lemon design?... Some design considerations... Talk with the designer... A yardstick for design standards... Other criteria... Modifying the design... The safety factor... Shipping kits and bits... Can you follow the instructions?... In conclusion.

How to avoid those diet blues... In the beginning... A little thought lessens the load... More material considerations... Some comforting thoughts... Adding it all up.

Tips and cautions for those who would rather buy than build... Why not buy a used production aircraft?... How about an ultralight?... Should you consider a "one-off" design?... How about a partially completed kit?... Consider your needs... Where to shop... Consider the power train... Check the ADs... Contact the clubs... Chat with the designer... Inspecting your prospective purchase... Operations and limitations... Watch for conflicts of interest... Inspection tips... Quality is more than skin deep... How skillful are those who did the work?... The problems with inspections and inspectors... Doing the walk-around... Look everywhere... Rock your wings... The evaluation flight... The inherent value of homebuilts.

For buyers and flyers... First flight considerations... A pre-purchase evaluation checklist... After-flight conclusions... Learning from the builders.

From traditional to modern... The traditional route... The benefits of auto conversions... If they're so good why isn't everyone flying them?... There are pitfalls... Two-stroke powerplants... Tips on two-stroke treatment... Features to look for in a two-stroke... The search for a suitable engine... A listing of engines... Outboard motor conversions.

It's a controversial subject... Some fuel facts... Octane rating... Tetraethyl lead... Other questionable fuel additives... Vapor lock and you... A formula for safety... Well, should you or shouldn't you?

GPS handhelds and panel-mounts... What does a moving map do for you?... VHF Nav & Comm Panel-Mounts.

The author's impressions... Regarding performance claims... Engine variations... Prep criteria.

Brief writeups on some additional aircraft that are worthy of consideration.

Staying legal in the US and Canada... The origin of the "51-percent rule"... Getting started... Who can perform annual inspections?... Pilot license requirements... Restrictions, restrictions... A look at ultralight regulations... Caution: higher weight limit in Canada... More legal differences for Canadian builders... Some designs just don't fly in Canada... Carte blanche for composites... Help from EAA and RAAC.

Covering your aircraft, yourself, and your family... Let's meet the experts... Coverage for your unfinished bird... Coverage for your finished bird... And coverage for your time... When you sell your project... Homebuilt vs. production aircraft premiums... Keeping premiums low... Factors that can affect your premium... Why is homebuilt insurance costlier?... The premium as a percentage of aircraft value... Risks are higher for partners... Assuming one's own risk.

How to locate your dream machine.

Supplier's catalogs that are gold mines!...A word or two of advice.

More help for homebuilders... Books and videos... Magazines... If that's not enough...

For fun, help, motivation, and whatever.