What Are Amateur-Built/Homebuild Aircraft?
Amateur-Built (also known as homebuilt or custom built) aircraft are built by individuals and licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as “Experimental.” The Experimental designation has been in existence for more than five decades. It defines aircraft that are used for non-commercial, recreational purposes such as education or personal use. Under FAA regulations, if individuals build at least 51 percent of an aircraft, it can be registered in the Amateur-Built/Homebuilt Category. They are available in kits (where some of the airplane is already fabricated), or plans (where the builder manufactures all the parts and assembles them). These airplanes are also commonly known as “homebuilts.” Currently, more than 23,000 amateur-built/homebuilt aircraft are licensed by FAA. They represent proven aircraft designs that have been flown safely for many years.
