INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT BUILDING AND TECHNOLOGY

By Jim Ruttler, Instrumented Rated Pilot, RV-10 Builder, Patent Attorney
www.ruttlermills.com
jim@ruttlermills.com

This blog will help you understand how to take advantage of the technological revolution occurring in the experimental aircraft market. 


Flying is truly magical.  The ability to lift oneself off the ground and travel using a machine is undeniably one of the most fantastic achievements in human history.  Flying used to be associated with freedom, adventure, and excitement.  Yet, for most people, the thought of flight today is anything other than exciting; it mostly brings to mind congestion, delay, frustration, and insecurity. This is obviously because for most people, flying has become associated with commercial airlines and our nation's busiest airports.  It has also become a mode of transportation to be avoided unless absolutely necessary. 

But for some people, like myself and many others, flying still is about freedom, adventure, and excitement.  These people travel in a plane to just to get a meal at a particular restaurant or to go camping or hiking.   These same people don't wait in long security lines and can decide to fly without notice.  They stop at airports that are close to their destination and change their plans enroute without any good reason.  They use free courtesy cars or bikes to get around.  And, they are always look forward to arriving at the airport for a trip.  These aren't our nation's wealthy elite, but people just like you who participate in the general aviation community - including fireman, engineers, scientists, businessmen, military serviceman, and teachers. 

For most people, however, the benefits of general aviation are outweighed by the apparent cost and lack of safety associated with personal flying.  These are legitimate concerns because most of the general aviation fleet consists of old planes with antiquated avionics systems that are expensive to purchase and maintain.  However, general aviation is currently going through a technological revolution making modern general aviation more accessible and safe than ever before. 

The vintage aircraft of your parent's and grandparent's generation with the vacuum gauges and complicated radial navigation systems are quickly being eclipsed.  Autopilot systems will fly your airplane from your departure point to your destination based on a flight plan you've prepared on your iPad - avoiding terrain and airspace along the way.  Airfame parachute systems will deploy in the event of engine or mechanical failure to safely drop you to earth.  Synthetic vision enables you to see a 3D ultra-clear picture of your surroundings even when engulfed in clouds and weather.  Other airplane traffic can be shown visually on your synthetic vision display so that you can navigate congested airspace with ease.  These are technologies that are currently being used and implemented in general aviation aircraft - not ideas or concepts for the future. 

This obviously is exciting and appeals to many people, but then the question becomes how do you take advantage of these improvements in general aviation to fly yourself and your family affordably.  And the answer to that question lies in experimental kit aircraft. 

If you are considering getting involved in general aviation, this information will help you understand how you can fly and build these amazing aircraft to take back the skies for adventure, excitement, and exploration.