What is a kit aircraft?
A kit aircraft is defined by the Federal Aviation Adminstration (FAA) as “experimental,” a category that was originally created so that aircraft manufacturers could perform test flights on their prototype aircraft. The experimental category has evolved over the years and now includes a sub-category for amateur-built aircraft (FAR 21.191(g)): “Operating an aircraft the major portion of which has been fabricated and assembled by persons who undertook the construction project solely for their own education and recreation.” In other words, the kit buyer is the builder or manufacturer of his or her aircraft. The key is “major portion,” meaning that you, the builder, must perform 51% or more of the actual aircraft fabrication and assembly (the FAA has determined that Zenith Aircraft’s kits meet the “51% rule”). Other key key words are “education and recreation,” meaning that you don’t qualify if you build your aircraft for commercial purposes. Once a kit aircraft has been completed and regis
