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Yes you can. All it takes is a basic set of tools, basic fabrication skills and the right instructions. A Texas Sport Aircraft kit equips you with the industry's most complete set of parts and most thorough set of instructions. The Texas Sport aircraft kit has been carefully designed to eliminate the difficulties of building your aircraft. Each kit includes a builder's manual written and illustrated by experienced builders. It's a great start to building an airplane.

It is likely that there are other amateur aircraft builders in the area where you live. These persons are also likely to be members in a local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). They can provide support with your amateur-built aircraft project.

EAA is an international organization of over 170,000 aviation enthusiasts. EAA is a tremendous resource for amateur aircraft builders. It was expressly formed for the purpose of sharing information among amateur aircraft builders. Today, EAA's membership is spread across a worldwide network of local chapters. These local chapters can be identified on the association's website at www.eaa.org/chapter/chapter_locator.html.

Building a Texas Sport aircraft kit requires only very basic tools and skills. These tools include many common items that you may already have including an electric drill, a tape measure, files and wrenches. Other tools that can be purchased for very little cost might include a reamer for cleaning paint out of holes. Because much of the specialized fabrication is done at our factory, no jigs, fixtures or heavy equipment are needed in the building process.

The skills required for building a Texas Sport aircraft kit are only limited by your determination. Assembly of the Texas Sport kit can be done easily in a workshop, garage or hangar. While previous aircraft building experience and fabrication skills are always an asset, the Texas Sport kit, and included assembly instructions, have been developed to assist even the most inexperienced, or novice builder.

The Texas Sport aircraft kit can be completed in as little as 21 days. We have developed a KwikBild™ program that takes you through the initial assembly, covering, and then firewall forward construction of a complete aircraft. What's more, the process can be performed at our factory under the guidance of our experienced aircraft builders.

At American Legend Aircraft Company, we also offer a 14-day program that takes you through the assembly and covering procedures. When completed, your aircraft will be ready for paint. You can then decide how and where to paint and final assemble your aircraft. You will still receive builder's support from the experts at American Legend whichever build method you decide.

If you chose not to participate in our 14- or 21-day KwikBild™ program, we estimate that your airplane will take anywhere from 400-700 hours to complete. If you are an experienced builder, this process will likely take under 500 hours.

Unlike other kit aircraft manufacturers, American Legend Aircraft Company is able to provide you with every necessary item to complete your aircraft and make it ready to fly. We are able to do this because we know how to build airplanes, we have experience in building airplanes, and we have the facilities and personnel to assist you with your building project.

The Texas Sport aircraft kit includes all of the parts, fitting, fasteners and assembly items required to complete your aircraft fuselage. Instrumentation and firewall forward equipment can also be purchased at American Legend.

We understand that every builder will have a preference for certain items such as engine, avionics, covering materials and interior options. For this reason we have left these purchase decisions to the customer. If you wish to use a rebuilt engine, you are free to do so. We can also assist with that special paint job to make your aircraft unique.

Keep in mind that we can help with any additional items including firewall forward, accessories and avionics. Since we also manufacture and restore completed aircraft at our factory, we can procure any additional items at your request.

This is a real concern for many amateur aircraft builders. The best advice is to understand not only the financial commitment to building an airplane, but also the time required. A Texas Sport aircraft kit is designed to provide you with the most cost-effective way to build your own airplane. Our KwikBild™ progam can also help you to significantly reduce the build time. However, discussing these concerns with your spouse will help a great deal. It is recommended that you get your spouse interested in the project, even involved at some level.

Yes. American Legend Aircraft Company offers a builder's assist program that allows you to build your aircraft in a very short amount of time. We call it the KwikBild™ program. Here's how it works.

Your Texas Sport kit includes a fully welded and painted fuselage frame. The fuselage assembly requires attaching stringers, control cables, floor panels, rudder and brake pedals, and fuel lines. In addition to the fuselage you will receive a nearly completed wing assembly. Assembly of the wing includes installing the wing tip bow, fuel tanks and control cables. Pre-assembly of the fuselage and wings should take approximately three to four days.

A large part of the kit building process involves covering of the aircraft fuselage and control surfaces. You can expect this process to take up to eleven days. When the covering is complete, your aircraft will be ready for primer and paint. Keep in mind that our KwikBild™ program takes place at our factory. Our support personnel will be there to answer any questions. Under Phase I of our KwikBild™ program your aircraft can be assembled and ready for finishing in just 14 days.

Once you have completed the pre-assembly phase of your Texas Sport kit, you will have a choice on how and where to finish your aircraft. Following pre-assembly some builders may choose to ship their assembled fuselage and wings to another location for painting and final assembly. However, we can provide assistance with both of these processes.

The amount of time it takes to paint your aircraft really depends on the paint scheme you choose and the desired finish. Many paint options are available, and each aircraft has its own unique character. If you choose to paint your Texas Sport aircraft, you are free to do so. However, we have painted hundreds of similar aircraft, and can provide an accurate quote for this procedure.

Once your aircraft has been painted, you may decide to enroll in Phase II of our KwikBild™ program. This phase offers an additional 7-day program to assist you with final assembly. During this time you will install the wings, control surfaces, rigging, firewall forward, electrical, avionics, and interior. Again, the Texas Sport aircraft kit was designed to minimize the complexity of the construction effort. Taking advantage of our builder's assist program will ensure that your time is well spent.

The Texas Sport aircraft kit includes engine mounts for a variety of Continental Motors engines. The most common engine will be a 100-horsepower Continental O-200. There are many new and remanufactured engines to choose from and they may vary in horsepower. However, for a standard installation the O-200 seems to be the best choice.

Specifications of the Continental O-200 include: air-cooled, four horizontally opposed cylinders, direct-drive, 201 in³ (3.29 L) displacement, and 100 horsepower (75 kW) output. Built by Teledyne Continental Motors, these engines are used in many light aircraft designs and can be maintained at virtually any repair facility.

Options for the Texas Sport aircraft are numerous. Decisions on which options to choose are as individual as each customer. However, American Legend Aircraft Company can facilitate the individual desires of its customers with many comfort, convenience, performance, and safety-enhancing options.

Among the equipment options are interior choices, such as cloth or leather seat covering. Additional comfort features include window vents and an interior spot/flood light. Standard convenience features include four-point seat belts, both fore and aft, and operable doors and windows on both left and right hand sides of the aircraft. You may also choose the convenience of having float attachment fittings on your airframe.

Performance options are offered in the variety of propellers matched to your choice of engine. Your airplane's stall speed and landing performance can be enhanced with the addition of vortex generators on the upper wing surface. Some of the safety options include wing tip strobe lights and landing lights.

One of the most involved decisions you will make includes instrumentation and avionics. Choices include EFIS, GPS, EMS, NAV/COM, ELT, BRS, digital or analog, and more. We have completed many installations, and can help you to decide. We also have several standard instrument panel layouts to choose from.

The thing to keep in mind is that you will need to provide, or allow us to source for you, an engine and propeller, electrical components including a battery, avionics, instrumentation, covering and paint materials, seat cushions, and any selected optional equipment.

Yes. The instrument panel, its layout, and the items installed in it are your choice. We can provide anything from a blank panel cut to fit your Texas Sport aircraft kit, to a complete panel ready for installation and wiring connections. The options available for your instrument panel are virtually unlimited. With our knowledge and experience, however, we can assist you with this effort to ensure a very workable solution and a proper fit.

The amateur builder is required to document the construction of their aircraft. Your Texas Sport aircraft kit includes a comprehensive set of documents that illustrate the entire construction process. This document, provided to your airworthiness inspector, will satisfy FAA certification requirements.

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is an invaluable resource for amateur aircraft builders. Local chapters around the world are your entry to a wealth of information, knowledge and experience. Many local EAA chapters will have a designated Technical Counselor. This person will act as inspector for your aircraft and will assist with documentation that can be submitted to the FAA.

Yes. It is common for amateur builders to obtain a Repairman's Certificate for their aircraft. This allows the builder to perform all repairs, inspections, annuals, etc. on the airframe. As you are the builder of your certificated airplane, it may make sense that you will want to perform any necessary maintenance work.

Your Texas Sport aircraft can be certified as an amateur-built (or experimental) aircraft. An amateur-built Texas Sport aircraft can be flown by any licensed Recreational or Private Pilot. It is possible to certify your Texas Sport aircraft at a gross weight limit up to 1,600 pounds. If you chose to designate a gross weight limit of 1,320 pounds, your Texas Sport aircraft can be flown by any licensed Sport Pilot. Furthermore, registering your Texas Sport Aircraft as amateur-built allows you to obtain a Repairman's Certificate for your aircraft and perform all of your own maintenance.

Fore more information on deciding which way to certify your Texas Sport, refer the article "Amateur-Built vs. E-LSA" by Charlie Becker published in Sport Pilot magazine, April 2007. Click here to view the article.

The Experimental Aircraft Association now offers an Amateur-Built Aircraft Certification Kit, which is available for purchase online. The kit includes everything you need to register and certificate your Texas Sport Aircraft. The 15-page, Step-by-Step Certification Guide walks you through the entire process-from getting an N-number to aircraft inspection-and provides samples of how to complete each required form. The certification kit also includes all FAA forms, "Experimental" sticker (in black), a data plate, and a convenient placard decal sheet. For more information go to shop.eaa.org/html/homebuilders.html.

The Texas Sport Aircraft kit meets the requirements for amateur-built (experimental) certification in the United States and Canada, as well as in most countries around the world. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has inspected and determined that the Texas Sport aircraft kits meet FAR section 21.191(g) known as the 51-percent rule, making it eligible for amateur-built aircraft registration.

Yes. Perhaps the best resource for insuring your completed Texas Sport aircraft kit is the Experimental Aircraft Association. Most builders choose to insure their aircraft for at the very least non-motion damage and a minimum liability policy. For more information on insuring your Texas Sport aircraft, go to www.eaa.org/insurance.

Yes. Your completed Texas Sport aircraft can be used for flight instruction. A qualified flight instructor can provide this training. A good resource for finding an instructor is your local EAA chapter. For more information on learning to fly in a light-sport aircraft, go to www.sportpilot.org/instructors/about.html.

Texas Sport aircraft kits are now in stock and available for immediate delivery. Call toll free at 1-866-746-6159 for current pricing and payment options, or go to our Ordering page at www.txsport.aero/ordering.asp.

Currently, American Legend Aircraft Company does not provide aircraft financing options. However, there are many institutions that can provide aircraft financing services. These may include your local bank. For more information contact the Experimental Aircraft Association's Aircraft Financing Program at 1-866-808-6040.

For more frequently asked questions go to the Experimental Aircraft Association's website at www.eaa.org/homebuilders/faq.asp.

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