In The Air: Lofty Legends
August 4, 2003
Every pilot dreams of a special aircraft. One with two seats and room for a couple of overnight bags or golf clubs, with the beauty and quick reflexes of a fighter and a cruise speed of over 300 mph. An aircraft much like a vintage war-bird, but without the aging airframe and the extreme maintenance demands. The type of aircraft that no manufacturer produces, save for combat trainers available only to the military.
If you are a pilot demanding a fast, aerobatic aircraft suitable for travel, well, you have to build it yourself. Kit-built aircraft—also known as experimental or homebuilt—are constructed by their owners from kits. And lest the “kit” moniker imply quality or designs that are less than first-rate, let us assure you that the evolution of the homebuilt aircraft industry has been remarkable. Providing straightforward construction with many prefabricated parts and entire assemblies supplied in essentially finished form, today’s kits are notable for their advanced technology and design.
High-performance, single-engine homebuilt aircraft are as complex as any production aircraft and, in most instances, substantially faster. Many of these aircraft are fitted with state-of-the-art avionics and powerful turbine engines. And as well as supplying airborne excitement, these planes are reliable cross-country transport.
Dan Gray is a motion picture special-effects engineer and composite aircraft construction specialist. As a pilot with a penchant for performance, he found production aircraft wanting—not fast enough, too large, or lacking that all-important aerobatic capability. Gray turned to experimental aircraft kits to gain the speed and handling missing in store-bought aircraft. His latest project is the turbine-powered Legend, the fifth aircraft that Gray has constructed. Its fit and finish are flawless, creating a striking impression in Corvette Red paint.
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