Andy, I think you misunderstand the intent of the homebuilt rule. You can get outside help, but you must personally provide the labor on your experimental aircraft to construct the majority of that aircraft. This is the so-called 51-percent rule. This is one of the reasons for having a builder's log; you need to provide evidence that you were the builder or that you purchased the unfinished aircraft from another home builder. Hiring outside help, in and of itself, is not illegal; certifying on the FAA application form that all that labor was yours, when in fact it was not, is illegal.
Suggest you contact your local FAA Flight Safety District Office (FSDO) if you have questions on the 51-percent rule. They will eventually have the final say on your airworthiness application. Sid Wood Tri-gear KR-2 N6242 Mechanicsville, MD, USA sidney.w...@l-3com.com -----Original Message----- "Its not illegal to have someone build your plane it is illegal to sign a form saying you built it." I'm understanding this a little more - so fine, I won't be the builder, so I won't do my own annuals. Fine by me, a little more expensive, but I can handle that. Besides, a 2nd pair of eyes is a good thing. If I owned a certified plane, I'd still have to pay for the annual. Andy
