Although the kits come with instructions, building a kit-plane can be a daunting task.
That's where American Air Racing found its market niche.
The business grew out of a life's passion for airplanes John Parker's passion.After learning to fly as a teenager, Parker had a long career flying for American Airlines.
In 1966, he started up his own aviation business in Torrance, California.
"Back then we used to work for various people," he said."We built engines, helped in Power Puff Derby events as well as assisted some Formula One teams.
I had to come up with a business name, so I chose American Air Racing."
Due to his flying schedule, the business was only a part-time venture.
Then,with mandatory retirement approaching, he moved the company to the Stead Airport.
"We moved here in 1997 but it was a long process which began in 1994," he said."It took a long time to negotiate the lease and get this facility built and, as a result, the business suffered since most of my off-time was devoted to the move."
Over the years, his business has changed from doing speed modifications, general maintenance, equipment leasing and product development to its current focus the kitplane market.
"In the early 1990's,we knew that building high-end kit-planes was going to be a success in the home-built industry," he said.
Until that time, a home-built aircraft was exactly that: a plane built, and sometimes designed, by its owner.
Kit-planes, on the other hand, are designed by a company and shipped as components to the customer,who is responsible for the final assembly.
Parker's company does everything, from assisting or advising the customer in the building task to final assembly and engineering.
"Home-builts have the least amount of supervision for aviation construction, so we work closely with the Federal Aviation Authority,"
Parker said."After it's been awarded an air-worthiness certificate, each airplane has to go through a flight test program.
This is usually directed by an inspector and how the test hours are handled are in the guidelines."
Building a plane presents a unique problem.
Not only is most of the work slow and methodical but it occurs inside the aircraft and as such isn't easily seen.
"One of our challenges is documenting the work done so the customer knows the progress," he said."Getting a plane is a long process as it usually takes two years from when the order is made until the plane is ready."
Adds parker,"There are fewer and fewer aircraft due to costs.
Glasairs are fading due to the high work load it takes to build one, but a Lancair is designed to be built with fewer man-hours."
Parker explained that his rates are billed on a time- and material-used basis.
And, while the economy has an effect on the business, the long lead time for construction helps smooth out the bumps.
"Still, it can be a long time between paychecks," he said.
He's optimistic and added that word-ofmouth is his best advertising.
"We want to insure the customers understand what we're doing and that we're concerned about their well being," he said."The best part is when a customer is satisfied and so far all of them have been."
