[Cajundaddy]

I was the part time junior assistant on several restorations and builds. Piper Clipper, Cessna 150, Cessna 172, Glassair (kit), Wheeler Express (kit). My dad was an aerospace engineer by trade and a certified aviation mechanic by passion. He was a good pilot but loved the project more than anything. He did everything from fabric wings, aluminum skin, composite, control surfaces, engine R&R, electronics. He is gone now but surely logged 20,000 hours in the garage, machine shop, and hanger.

I learned a lot about it from him but never really shared his passion for the build. I would not personally start a project like this today, but for someone who wants to do it I recommend the Van's RV. Very straightforward kit and you get a nice airplane in the end. We observed a dozen of these builds while on the Express and I believe they are all still flying.