Flying an Experimental Aircraft

Flying an experimental aircraft is not just about getting from point A to point B — it’s about personal freedom, hands-on innovation, and experiencing aviation in its rawest form. These aircraft are often misunderstood, but for thousands of pilots, they represent the future of flight.

Breaking the “Experimental” Myth

Let’s clear the air: the word "experimental" doesn’t mean unsafe or unproven. In fact, the FAA uses the term to describe a category of aircraft that operate under different regulations than standard certified aircraft. There are several types of experimental certificates: from Exhibition and Market Survey to Air Racing and Amateur-Built, the most common.

Unfortunately, some pilots and buyers still associate “experimental” with something incomplete or unreliable — which couldn’t be further from the truth. Many modern experimental aircraft exceed the performance, safety, and technology of their certified counterparts.

Why Pilots Are Choosing Experimental

Over the past decade, the perception of experimental aircraft has evolved. Pilots are realizing that these aircraft offer:

  • Greater Freedom in customization and upgrades

  • Access to the latest avionics and safety tech

  • Lower cost of ownership

  • The ability to perform their own maintenance

  • Unmatched pride in building and flying your own airplane

Whether you build a kit aircraft from scratch or use a builder-assist program like some manufacturers offer, the connection between pilot and machine is deep, personal, and lasting.

The Cornerstone of Homebuilding: The FAA's 51% Rule

The core of the Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) category is the requirement that the major portion of the aircraft be built by the amateur builder(s). This is commonly known as the "51-percent rule."

Understanding the 51% Rule

  • The Regulation: As codified in 14 CFR , the aircraft must have "the major portion" (more than 50 percent) of its fabrication and assembly completed by the amateur builder(s).

  • The Intent: The rule is designed to ensure that the primary purpose of the project is for the "education or recreation" of the builder, not simply the acquisition of a pre-built aircraft at a lower cost.

  • Documentation is Key: To prove compliance, the builder must keep comprehensive builder's logs, photographs, and documentation that clearly show who performed each task, the construction methods, and any use of commercial assistance (FAA Advisory Circular 20-27G provides detailed guidance). For kit-built aircraft, the kit manufacturer provides a checklist that delineates the percentage of tasks completed by the kit manufacturer versus the builder.

The Role of the EAA

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), founded in 1953, is the central organization supporting the homebuilding movement and works closely with the FAA.

EAA Support Programs

  • Technical Counselor Program: A nationwide network of experienced EAA volunteers provides guidance and pre-cover/pre-close inspections to builders throughout the construction process, offering advice on workmanship and techniques.

  • Flight Advisor Program: Experienced test pilots help builders/owners develop and execute their Phase I flight test plan, promoting safety in the most accident-prone period of a new aircraft's life.

  • Advocacy: EAA works with the FAA to develop and refine the regulations that govern amateur-built aircraft, ensuring that the rules remain practical for the hobbyist.

Certification, Flight Testing, and Operating Limitations

Before an E-AB aircraft can fly, it must be inspected and receive an airworthiness certificate from the FAA.

1. Airworthiness Certification

The completed aircraft is inspected by an FAA Inspector or a Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR). This inspection verifies:

  • The aircraft is complete.

  • The construction quality meets acceptable aeronautical standards.

  • The builder has satisfied the 51-percent rule.

  • All required documents (e.g., registration, weight and balance report, and a maintenance program) are in order.

2. Phase I Flight Testing

Once the Special Airworthiness Certificate is issued, the aircraft is subject to strict Phase I Operating Limitations (part of 14 CFR ). The goal is to prove the aircraft is safe to fly.

  • Restricted Area: Flights must be conducted over a sparsely populated area or open water, away from congested airways.

  • Minimum Hours: The pilot must fly a minimum number of hours (typically 25 for an aircraft built from an established kit and 40 for an original design) to test the flight envelope.

  • No Passengers: Generally, no person "may be carried in this aircraft during flight unless that person is essential to the purpose of the flight."

3. Phase II Operations

After the flight test hours are completed and the builder logs an entry stating the aircraft has been tested and found safe, the more liberal Phase II Operating Limitations take effect.

General Operating Limitations (14 CFR )

Even in Phase II, all E-AB aircraft remain subject to strict rules:

  • No Compensation or Hire: The aircraft generally cannot be operated for commercial purposes (carrying persons or property for compensation or hire).

  • Pilot Advisory: The pilot in command must advise all passengers of the experimental nature of the aircraft.

  • Congested Areas: Operation over densely populated areas or in congested airways is generally prohibited unless sufficient altitude is maintained to effect a safe emergency landing or special authorization is granted.

Maintenance Freedom

Why pilots are choosing Experimental: one of the most significant benefits for the E-AB owner is the freedom from FAA Part 43 maintenance rules.

  • Maintenance: An E-AB owner/operator may perform all maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations on their aircraft. No FAA-certified mechanic (A&P) is required for this work.

  • Condition Inspection: Instead of an annual inspection, an E-AB must undergo an annual Condition Inspection.

    • If the primary builder/owner successfully demonstrates they built the "major portion" of the aircraft, they are eligible to apply for an Experimental Amateur-Built Repairman Certificate for that specific aircraft.

    • Holding this certificate grants the builder the exclusive authority to perform the required annual condition inspection on their aircraft, providing unparalleled control and lower cost of ownership.

Practical Benefits in the Cockpit

Experimental aircraft can operate in broader conditions — even IFR if properly equipped. You can integrate new LED lighting, advanced suspension, oversized tires, and digital EFIS systems without waiting for long certification processes.

And with tight cockpits, portable gear becomes essential. That’s where the Dream Pilot Magic Kneeboard  comes in.

The Magic Kneeboard: The Perfect Match for Experimental Flyers

When you're flying something you've built or customized yourself, you expect your gear to be just as adaptable.

The Dream Pilot Magic Kneeboard  gives you secure, magnetic, and universal mounting for any device — iPhone, iPad, Android, tablet — even in bumpy conditions. With its soft strap, durable construction, and European-made quality, it's already a favorite among ultralight and experimental pilots.

No need for paper checklists or awkward holders. This kneeboard is sleek, compact, and reliable — just like your airplane.

Whether you're chasing horizons in your Carbon Cub or perfecting your own homebuilt project, the Dream Pilot Magic Kneeboard keeps your flight plan, navigation, and cockpit workflow right where you need it — on your knee.

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