Amateur, homebuilt aircraft have existed since the Wright Brothers. Planes built in spare hours in garages and basements became so popular in the post-WWII years that an entire industry gave life to a very big organization—the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), which now has more than 300,000 members.
Sport flying enthusiasts no longer must learn to weld or find airframe and engine mechanics to supervise their work. They can purchase complete, thoroughly tested, proven kits that supply all parts and components and detailed assembly instructions. Here, we’ll examine seven popular Experimental and Light Sport Aircraft kit designs.
1
Zenith CH 750 Cruzer
The Zenith CH 750 Cruzer is a modern, all-metal, two-seat kit aircraft designed for sport pilots
Wingspan |
29 ft 9 in |
---|---|
Seating Capacity |
2 |
Empty Weight |
620 lb |
Useful |
520 lb |
Maximum Speed |
170 mph |
Range |
687 NM |
Photo: Zenith Aircraft
Zenith CH 750 Cruzer kit aircraft, priced at $26,995, is an economical two-seat cross-country cruiser that Zenith says you can easily and quickly build and fly with a Sport Pilot license. The CH 750 CRUZER is the “airport runway” version of the Zenith CH 750 “bush” of the LSA kit plane.
Both aircraft are known for their spacious side-by-side cabins and two-door cabin access. Zenith designed the CH 750 Cruzer from a clean sheet, but it shares characteristics with its STOL predecessors, the CH 701 “Sky Jeep” and the CH 750/750SD sport utility aircraft.
The CH 750 Cruzer is designed for cross-country flying between airports.
- Side-by-side seating
- Large bubble canopy for excellent visibility
- Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capabilities
- Spacious cabin with easy access
- Can be equipped with tricycle or tailwheel landing gear
The CH 750 Cruzer is known for its ease of construction and forgiving flight characteristics, making it an excellent choice for first-time builders and pilots.

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2
Kitfox S7 Super Sport
The Kitfox S7 Super Sport is a versatile, high-wing, two-seat aircraft that excels in backcountry and cross-country flying
Wingspan |
30 ft. 8 in |
---|---|
Seating Capacity |
2 |
Empty Weight |
750 lb |
Useful |
570 lb |
Maximum Speed |
120 kt TAS |
Range |
1,000 NM |
The Kitfox S7 Super Sport is a high-performance, high-wing general kit aircraft by Kitfox Aircraft Corporation. Kitfox designed the S7 Super Sport for cross-country speed and efficiency. The S7 Super Sport is an eye-catching design, powered by a choice of Rotax engines, and boasts exceptional visibility.
A cruise speed of up to 155 knots and a range of over 800 nautical miles make the airplane ideal for pilots seeking a versatile flying experience. The S7’s high wing and stressed skin construction provide excellent stability and durability. It is an airplane to be considered by pilots of all skill levels.
Key features include:
- Folding wings for easy storage and transport
- STOL performance
- Choice of tailwheel or tricycle gear configurations
- Customizable engine options (100-180 hp)
- Spacious cabin with side-by-side seating
The Kitfox S7 is renowned for its exceptional safety record and comprehensive builder support.
3
Sonex Aircraft Sonex
The Sonex is an affordable, all-metal, low-wing sport aircraft designed for efficiency and simplicity
Wingspan |
22 ft |
---|---|
Seating Capacity |
2 |
Empty Weight |
620 lb |
Useful |
530 lb |
Maximum Speed |
135 – 170 mph |
Range |
687 NM |
Sonex is a basic metal two-place kit-built aircraft that is economical and easy to build. Designed to meet the standards for both the European and U.S. Domestic sport aircraft markets, Sonex can be equipped with several lightweight engines of 80 to 130 hp. The aircraft perfectly complies with the US Sport Pilot/LSA regulations.
The Sonex’s performance is due to its clean aerodynamic shape and simple, lightweight construction. The plane may be built around several small, lightweight aircraft engines from AeroVee, Jabiru, UL Power Aero, or Rotax. The robust airframe provides ample structural safety margin for aerobatics.
Notable Sonex features:
- Single-seat or two-seat tandem configurations are available
- Powered by various engines, including the AeroVee (VW conversion)
- Aerobatic capability
- It is economical to build and operate
- Electric aircraft version available (e-Sonex)
Sonex Aircraft offers factory tours and has a reputation for excellent builder support.
Photo: Sonex
4
SubSonex
The SubSonex is a personal single-seat jet aircraft with aerobatic capability
Wingspan |
18 ft |
---|---|
Seating Capacity |
1 |
Empty Weight |
500 lb |
Useful |
500 lb |
Maximum Speed |
230-240 mph |
Range |
304 NM |
Unique features of the SubSonex:
- Single-seat personal jet
- Powered by a PBS TJ-100 turbojet engine producing 240 lbs of thrust
- Aerobatic
- 180 – 200 kts cruise; maximum speed 230 kts
- 250 NM range
Photo: Sonex
The SubSonex is a single-seat, single-engine turbine aircraft produced by Sonex Aircraft as a kit plane. It is powered by a Czech-built PBS TJ-100 turbojet engine mounted above the aft fuselage, producing 240 lbs of thrust. The SubSonex features a Y-tail design similar to the Sonex Waiex model.
Sonex introduced the SubSonex jet at AirVenture in 2009 and achieved its first engine test runs in December 2009.
The aircraft has evolved from an initial design with a central mono pod wheel to now having a tricycle landing gear configuration.
Sonex is developing a two-seat version called the SubSonex JSX-2T, intended to serve as a trainer for the single-seat model. It’s expected to have a slightly slower cruise speed of about 200 mph but an increased range of about 350 NM.
SubSonex offers kit aircraft builders willing to spend the $136,654 price the unique opportunity to construct and fly their jet aircraft, making it a distinctive option in the experimental aircraft market.
5
Sling TSi
Sling Aircraft are designed and built in Johannesburg, South Africa
Wingspan |
31,3 ft |
---|---|
Seating Capacity |
4 |
Empty Weight |
1,149 lb |
Useful |
939 lb |
Maximum Speed |
153 kt TAS |
Range |
1,000 NM |
Photo: Sling Aircraft
The Sling TSi is a modern, all-metal, four-seat kit aircraft designed for high-performance cruising. Notable features include:
- Turbocharged Rotax 915iS engine
- Sleek, aerodynamic design
- Complete glass cockpit with Garmin avionics
- Excellent cruise speed and range
- Comfortable cabin with leather interior options
The Sling TSi is known for its impressive performance and long-range capabilities, making it suitable for personal and flight training. These kit aircraft offer various options for aviation enthusiasts, from simple, affordable designs to high-performance, multi-seat aircraft. Each manufacturer provides detailed information, support, and resources for builders interested in these unique flying machines. Additional Unique Kit Aircraft Produced
6
Van’s RV-12iS
The Van’s RV-12iS is an LSA-compliant kit plane
Wingspan |
30 ft. 8 in |
---|---|
Seating Capacity |
2 |
Empty Weight |
775 lb |
Useful |
545 lb |
Maximum Speed |
125 kts |
Range |
574 NM |
The RV-12iS offers:
- Side-by-side seating
- Rotax 912iS Sport fuel-injected engine
- Complete glass cockpit with Garmin G3X Touch avionics
- Tricycle landing gear
- Removable wings for easy storage and transport
The RV-12iS is known for its docile handling characteristics and modern avionics suite.
Photo: Van’s Aircraft
The kit planes featured here are not all the available models in the general aviation market, nor are these aircraft produced solely for the kit builder. Most manufacturers offer factory-built options and the option to purchase the plane as a factory-built model or Light Sport Aircraft (LSA).

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