Experience

No experience working with composites? No problem! Several of our builders have never tackled so much as a birdhouse and certainly most have never done anything with composites. However, these same builders report that, after a careful reading of the instructions provided, they quickly learned that there was nothing beyond their abilities and tackled the project with confidence. Glasair Aviation assembly manuals are thorough, easy to follow and have been field tested by hundreds of builders. Illustrations are clear, simple and professional. As a result, you can truly learn as you go without creating mistakes that require you to buy expensive replacement skins like you would on an aluminum aircraft.

Let’s be honest here. Few people ever tackle a project as sophisticated and dynamic as building their own aircraft. It used to be that completions were rare.. Not so with the modern Glasair kit. The completion rate is very high and the sense of accomplishment expressed by our builders takes on a magnitude few projects in life can ever come close to equaling. What's important is that so many people have finished and flown their Glasairs. And what is perhaps most remarkable is that our builders are invariably surprised at how much enjoyment they derive from the building process. Some are genuinely disappointed to see it end, and indeed, a number of them have turned around and started another Glasair or GlaStar project.

Also, there is LOTS of help waiting for you. Ask anyone who's built a Glasair: Once you start construction, you become part of a fraternity. It's a global network of experts who can tell you what it takes, how to do it, and when. They have been there, done that. There are probably a lot of helpful resources quite close to you, but there is also tremendous, friendly factory support. Glasair Aviation has become famous for the thoroughness of technical support we provide our builders. It has constantly been referred to as the best in the industry. We have helped hundreds of builders, like you, get to the flightline.

In addition, detailed assembly videos are available to assure that you get your Glasair airborne as quickly as possible. Also, don’t forget to travel to the many airshows across the country to meet with the hundreds of Glasair builder and owners. It’s no secret that Glasair builders have won more awards at airshows around the world than builders of any other composite kit aircraft. This includes numerous Grand Champions at Oshkosh and Sun 'n Fun. (See the “Trophy Room” on our website for just a few examples.)

In summary, You Can Do It! Hundreds already have. They're ready to cheer you on and offer advice, and some will be happy to pitch in.

Tools Required

You will need a hand drill, saber saw, sander, hole cutters, chalk line, level, tape measure, files, C-clamps, vise, putty knife, plumb bob, sandpaper, paintbrushes, squeegees and about a dozen more assorted hand tools. You will be joining fiberglass parts, bolting things on, stringing wire, swaging a few cables, filling and sanding the seams. What you will find amazing is how fast the fuselage, tail, and wings piece together.

Work Space

For work space, a one car garage will suffice until final assembly. A two car garage would be preferable. Some of our builders have used the living rooms of their apartments and others have done most of the work in their basements.

Glasair Aviation, LLC's Commitment To You

Our philosophy can be stated in one sentence. We want to give you the most value for your investment.

We want to see you on the flightline, enjoying your completed Glasair. To that end, we have dedicated our talents to developing and refining kits and aircraft that meet the needs of builders and pilots like you. We design and engineer high performance aircraft for homebuilders. We select the materials and construction methods that are most appropriate for your mission, that provide the greatest strength and endurance, and that are easiest to work with and to maintain.

Our builders consistently affirm the correctness of our decisions. That's why we enjoy the highest level of credibility in the business. Glasair Aviation is constantly evolving with new technology, new ideas, new ways of improving what already exists. The standards are always rising here.

Communicating With Our Customers

Communications are vital to builders and the factory, so Glasair Aviation has always taken an active role in assuring that good lines of communication exist and stay open.

Manuals

The unsurpassed assembly and owners manuals are thorough, well illustrated and written in language that is precise, clear, and simple to follow. Each of our models comes with an owners manual specific to its configuration. This is something that many others in the industry leave for the builder to compile.

Bulletins

Our engineering department also contacts builders with service bulletins, service letters and revisions to update everyone on refinements to the aircraft. This is an important part of our safety program, intended to keep builders current with evolving technology.

Assembly Videos

Glasair Aviation has produced optional instruction videos for most phases of your project.

Technical Support

Glasair Aviation builders can contact our builder support staff for prompt courteous assistance. Our award-winning technical support provides superior guidance.

Social Events

We welcome our builders to a variety of get-togethers at Oshkosh, Sun 'n Fun, Arlington, Copperstate, and other aviation events.

Assessing the Competition

The Glasair line offers a unique combination of style, performance, utility (large baggage capacity), strength, quality and proven reliability that is simply not available in any one competitor’s aircraft. There are a few designs out there that offer speeds that are similar to or may slightly exceed a particular Glasair model. Some designs are more expensive; a few are less expensive. Some are built with composites, some use other materials. However, none of the competition offers all that the Glasair does in one aircraft. Also consider that Glasair Aviation has set the industry standard for thoroughness, friendly factory support.

We encourage you to truly compare high performance kitplanes before making your decision to buy/build. First, take the time to sit down analyze and actually write down what your mission profile is. Are you simply going to fly locally on Saturday for the $100 hamburger? Are you going to be traveling to locations beyond 300 miles with your wife and 3 or 4 days worth of combined luggage? Do you intend to perform aerobatics which might subject the airframe to G loadings of +6 or -4 (whether intentionally or not)? With this task completed, now grade each aircraft you are considering on how it meets your mission profile. Honestly assess its style, performance, comfort, utility for cross country trips, strength, quality and reliability record, keeping in mind all of your intended uses. This should narrow your list to just a few aircraft.

Now, by all means, test-fly each aircraft you are considering building! You are going to spend many hours flying this aircraft and you don’t want to spend a few years building the airplane and then find out that this particular aircraft is not the right one for you. When you go to fly the aircraft, insist on flying from the pilot’s seat, fly it in all configurations, and see how it feels when approaching a stall and when in slow flight. Shoot a few landings on pavement and sod. Learn firsthand what it's like to flare and rollout. How’s about the baggage space? What are the G limits of the aircraft? Do you like the way it looks and feels?

When speaking with factory representatives, ask about their builder support programs and response to phone calls to the factory. Be sure to look at the quality and the contents of the kit. Look at all the systems that are included, such as the landing gear, and ask people who have flown with those installations what they think of them. Also, be sure to talk to builders about their experience with the company and their kits.

In your research, we are confident that you will not only discover what a joy it is to build and fly a Glasair, but that you will conclude that the Glasair’s unique combination of style, performance, utility (large baggage capacity), strength, quality and proven reliability offer an aircraft with a broad mission profile that is simply not available in any other aircraft.

Go to "Performance & Specifications of the Glasair III" >>

Go to "Performance & Specifications of the Glasair SII" >>