maybe a luton minor 4 years ago

We just recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers “first flight”. So on the surface, in 2006, you’d think that someone should be able to build their own plane pretty easy.

We understand the physics of lift and why planes go up in the air and why they stay up there. And why they don’t crash so easily.

But the problem with flight is that it’s a “no failure allowed” type deal. If you build your own car, and drive it around for a test drive, and the engine fails…. well, ooops. Call the tow truck. But if you build your own plane and the engine dies, well… who are you going to call?

Now mind you, gliders are engine-less planes, and even a full-size Boeing 737 with no engines can be safely glided for miles and landed safely. So not all “failures” are fatal. But still, it’s a scary proposition.

I mean, John Denver built his own planes. And look what happened to him. 7 years ago