I've had plans for years to build a wood and fabric aircraft. I was getting certified but my father's two business partners crashed and died in their aircraft. Pilot error- or stupidity- flying into icy conditions because he wanted to see his girlfriend. Dad was smart enough not to go. (Dad was a Lt. Col. in the Air Force.) Later on I tried again and was taking lessons. I was on my way to fly with some friends, one who was a pilot for a major airline. I got a call and had to back out at the last minute. They went up, did an aerobatic maneuver that the plane wasn't rated for, and crashed killing both. Again- pilot error and stupidity, but it was enough to make me take a haitus from flying. I wish I had finished my rating. I have often considered doing it again. I guess that would be step one before trying to build a plane!!! (stating the obvious here)

If I ever did such a thing, I would build something simple like a Pietenpol Air Camper and power it with a VW engine because I can build a VW blindfolded with one arm behind my back, so despite the lower horsepower I'd rather have an engine that I know inside-out. Rocker shaft torque 18 ft pounds, heads 23 ft pounds, valve lash .006 for stock pushrods.... I've built a few! Of course I'd go with the redundant systems that they offer specific to aircraft VW conversions. I would just want something to get me island to island- no more than 60 mile hops. I also considered a Tiger Moth, but I kind of like a high wing.

I'd paint it black and put the Cross of St. James on the wing to match the Schweizer Surf logo- perhaps call myself the "Black Barron"....

Anyway, it's a pipe dream because I'm not even certified and I wouldn't build and fly an experimental until I had a lot of hours under my belt... but rest assured I could do it! Maybe whenever I retire that will be my project.

Thanks for posting- very interesting and awesome video. I am a bit of a plane buff. Amy is amazed at my unique ability to hear a plane fly over and tell what type of plane it is just by listening to the engine. I work for an airline and we get a lot of different aircraft coming and going. I learned to know when my aircraft arrived because of the sound of the engine. That developed over time until I could hear an engine and say, "That's a Shorts 3-60" and rest assured it will be. Whenever a plane flys over Amy will say "What plane is that?" and I can identify it without looking up. My nerdiness is showing. I'd better stop. Cheers!