Yes, you can build your own airplane

It was not that long ago when I didn't know how to fly or that a person could actually build their own airplane. I always loved watching and riding in airplanes. One day I finally decided that I would learn how to fly and so the saga began.

I worked hard and studied a lot to get my pilots license. Once I had that I realized that I wanted my own plane. Not just any plane but one that would go fast, let me do some aerobatics and one that I would be able to fix myself. The only way to do all this was to build my own plane. I did some research and found a company called Van's aircraft that made a kit that I could buy and assemble in my own garage. I ordered one the minute I made my final decision.

I was really excited when the parts arrived, then, I opened up the plans. I had never seen drawings like these before. There was so much information on every page that it all looked totally overwhelming to me. What had I gotten myself into? How would I be able to build this airplane? I realized that I didn't even know how to use some of the tools that I had bought. Did I make a mistake?

Through my research I learned that there were a lot of people who liked airplanes just like me. I started calling and talking to them and getting advice. The internet also had lots of good information. Soon I was working on the plane...I was actually starting to build my own plane! Sometimes a giant project like this can seem daunting but someone said "it's like a mouse eating an elephant" you just have to do a little bit at a time and before you know it you will be done. They were right. What originally seemed impossible became possible very quickly.
Here a pic of me with the tail half way built

I learned about metal work, wiring, installing avionics, engines and fuel systems, paperwork, and many more things. I met so many great friends along the way too. When I was finally done I had to decide on a paint job. As a young boy I had a book of fighter planes from WWII. I always love the P-40's which had a big mean mouth painted on the front that made them look like sharks. Lots of people told me that I was silly to make my plane look like that but I decided that it was mine and I didn't want it to look like everybody else's plain old plane. In a way you could say this plane is from my boyhood dreams.

If you dream of doing something special then do your best to make your dreams come true. I set my mind to this and I was a able to find the time, skills, and money to make it happen. I couldn't be happier. In the end I have a great plane that makes me happy but, even more importantly, I also have a whole bunch of new friends who share the same passion for flying as me.