Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why should I build an airplane?

A. If you are satisfied with factory airplanes and don't wish to become involved in an absorbing hobby, don't. Building an airplane is fun, but it takes a lot of time. Home-building is where you find the new ideas-state of the art design and construction techniques. Factory built airplanes are more general purpose designs which do nothing particularly well. Homebuilts are more "Special Purpose." A much greater variety of special purpose aircraft are available and they tend to perform very well when used as the design was intended. As a class, they are better performing and more economical to operate and maintain. Building requires a commitment of time, forces you to learn new skills, sets you apart from others, provides an outlet for your creative instinct, and will introduce you to a whole new world of very fine people similarly motivated.

Q. What is an AeroCanard?

A. The AeroCanard is a 4 seat canard type aircraft with a Lycoming LIO360 engine. It has a 1000-mile range and typically cruises at over 200 mph on less than 10 gallons per hour. The AeroCanard SB has a smaller body width at the front seats. The plans include instructions for building either aircraft. There are literally thousands of canard aircraft similar to the AeroCanard flying all over world, and thousands more under construction. You can meet some of the people flying and building canards at the Canard Community Forum or at the many fly-in meetings held around the world.

A. This highly efficient, fast, composite airplane can be built by one person in a garage or small workshop in as little as 18 months. All the training needed to master the techniques required is included in the instructions.

Q. What is composite construction?

A. Technically, it is the use of two or more materials together. In aircraft construction, it refers to a sandwich of foam (or some other lightweight material) sandwiched between two layers of fiberglass. The result is a very light, rigid, and strong structure.

Q. Why should I select a composite design?

A. Composite construction requires fewer skills and is easier to learn. It is uniquely suited for homebuilding. It is superior to other forms of construction in terms of skills required, simplicity, strength, ability to absorb energy, resistance to fatigue and corrosion, repairability and durability. It is state-of-the-art.

Q. Where Do I Get the Materials?

A. A complete bill of materials is included with the plans. A list of recommended suppliers can be found on the links page.

Q. Why should I build from a kit rather than from plans using Moldless construction?

A. Scratch-built Moldless construction using raw materials takes more time. Simply stated, It takes significantly longer to build from scratch than building from a "pre-fab" kit. If you value your time, and you figure that your time is money, then the cost of buying "pre-fab" could be a less expensive approach to building an airplane. And, by purchasing one pre-fab part at a time, the builder does not need to put down a large amount of money up-front, because the builder can buy parts as he or she needs, and as their budget allows, and he or she is not dependent upon a single source for their materials. The finish that is coming from the factory molds allow the builder faster build/completion times rather than trying to finish the rough hand-laid fiberglass skins when building from the Moldless construction. People that have built using the Moldless construction method will tell you the sanding is the longest part of the building process. Alternatively, our Molded pieces can cut the sanding time by 2/3 less.

Q. Why should I choose a canard type?

A. Although canards date back to the first airplane ever flown (Wright brothers), it took Burt Rutan to solve the more complex aerodynamics and to popularize the configuration. Burt figured out how to make them safer, to not be subject to stall and divergence from controlled flight, which is the cause of many low altitude accidents. He made the canard airfoil angle of attack limiting, so that the nose could not be lifted high enough in level flight or turns to stall the main wing. The only result of full aft stick with no power is a high sink rate, immediately correctable with the addition of power. Canard configurations are more efficient, because they have two lifting surfaces. This allows the main wing to have less area, less span, and lower weight loading. Because of the distribution of lift between the two surfaces, there are lower bending loads and the structure does not have to be as heavy. This reduces drag and results in better performance with less horsepower.

Q. Why should I choose an AeroCanard?

A. All the AeroCanards use the same technology that Burt Rutan designed into the Long EZ. The AeroCanard performs very similar to the Long EZ, and exhibits the same stall resistant characteristic.

Q. What skills are required to build an AeroCanard?

A. No special skills or previous experience are required. Builders come from all walks of life. The plans are written for the average person and first time builder. The most important skill required is the discipline to consistently read and follow a large number of written instructions. You do not need to be an engineer to understand the plans. Instructions for the AeroCanard consist of a step-by-step Builder's Construction Manual; an Owner's Flight Manual; a set of Video Tapes which show the construction of an AeroCanard FG from start through flight testing. AeroCanard builders can get basic training for the construction of their AeroCanard by taking a builders course that is taught around the country by Alexander SportAir Center. This basic training, although not required, takes care of the learning curve that some builders find slows them down at the beginning of their project.

Q. Can I buy an airplane already built, or do you have someone who builds them?

A. Yes and No. The FAA licenses a person to build an amateur-built aircraft for recreation and educational purposes only. You can have people assist you in the building of your AeroCanard. The FAA allows this as long as you are there at all time of the construction. From time to time, people decide to sell their uncompleted projects or completed and flying airplanes. Give us a call and maybe we can check this out for you.

Q. What prefab parts are available, if I decide to build?

A. All parts that are molded fiberglass shells which would be difficult for the average builder to make, and any hardware such as retract mechanism, engine mounts, etc., are available prefab.

Q. Can I get a list of AeroCanard builders?

A. Our builder list is not confidential. Contact us and if the builder says it's ok to give out their name we would be glad to share that with you. Our list of builders in your area might surprise you.

Q. Why can't the AeroCanard carry full fuel with 4 adults and their luggage?

A. Our useful load as equipped will be approximately 1000 lbs. With 60 gallons of fuel at 6 lbs. per gallon, we have approximately 640 lbs. left for people and luggage. At 170 lbs. per person we have 680 lbs. of people. This would put us 40 lbs. overweight. First of all, it is rare that 4 people will be able to stay aloft the 5+ hours available. Secondly, this represents over 1000 miles in range. Which is well beyond what most trips will take. The obvious answer is to carry less fuel and plan on a rest stop if needed

Q. Why can't I paint my AeroCanard dark colors? My Corvette is dark blue and it's fiberglass!

A. The reason we don't paint in dark colors is due to the heat build up in bright sun under the fiberglass surface that will cause the foam core materials to shrink with this excess heat. A Corvette doesn't use a core material because weight is not as much of an issue. A white painted surface will not absorb nearly as much heat and is well under the critical temperatures of the foam core material.

Q. Can I load my AeroCanard to over gross safely?

A. We test the airplane up to the gross weight as specified in the flight manual. The main problem in an over gross airplane is the canard stall speed. At higher weights, the canard is going to stall at a higher indicated airspeed. The airplane will also use more runway for takeoff and for landing and could become a dangerous situation at higher density altitude airports. The use of a constant speed propeller will help in getting the airplane off the ground sooner and flying using less runway than a fixed pitch propeller and should be considered a necessity if over gross operations are going to be used. The constant speed propellers are also highly recommended for operations from high density airports even within the gross limits as specified.

Q. Can the wings be removed so I can trailer the airplane?

A. Yes, the wings and canard are designed to be removable, however, the fuselage center-section is still 11 ft. wide with wings removed, so it is not practical to routinely trailer it to and from the airport.

Q. Can I equip the AeroCanard for IFR?

A. Yes. An IFR rated pilot can operate an AeroCanard IFR if he equips it per FAR 91. The builder must develop the avionics installation themselves with the help of an avionics shop.

Q. May I do aerobatics in an AeroCanard?

A. No! The AeroCanard is rated in the normal category. It was designed for economical, high-speed, cross- country flying. It cannot do stall or inverted maneuvers and picks up speed rapidly when pointed down. Aerobatics are not recommended.

Q. Can I operate from unimproved runways?

A. Not recommended. Due to the pusher configuration, the prop is subject to damage if operated from a gravel runway. Grass runways are bumpy and will extend the take-off distance. Only hard surfaces are recommended.

Q. Can I get a demo ride before I purchase a kit?

A. We plan to provide demo rides again soon with new factory demo planes. We will provide this service for the cost of the fuel at the factory.

Q. Why is the nose gear retracted while parked?

A. Without the pilot in most canard type aircraft, there is not enough weight in the nose to insure it will not tip back on the prop and rudders. Parking nose down prevents this. A small rubber bumper under the nose provides a very effective parking brake, allowing the aircraft to be unattended in 30 + knot winds without tie down or wheel chock.

Q. How long does it take to build an AeroCanard?

A. We estimate a first time builder can build an AeroCanard in 1500 hours. These are working hours, not time spent reading plans, looking at videos, drinking coffee, etc. 500 hours can be taken off the building time if you have ever built an EZ type of composite construction airplane.

Q. What does it cost?

A. The AeroCanard line of aircraft is the value leader in the kit market, with the lowest cost for a four-place kit available. The price for the top-of-the-line, retractable gear AeroCanard kit ­ including engine, prop and VFR avionics ­ is less than a third of a new Mooney or Bonanza. Affordable new Cessna's and Pipers are unlikely to be offered anytime soon, so homebuilding is the best alternative for many pilots. With a mid-time used engine, a two bladed wood prop and light VFR instrumentation, a fixed gear AeroCanard can be built for as little as $40,000 dollars. On the other end of the scale, with an RG, all the fast build options, factory new engine, M-T three bladed constant speed prop, IFR instrumentation, leather interior etc. etc. expect to put at least $100,000 into your airplane. A new Mooney with similar equipment would sell for at least $350,000.

Q. What engines are approved?

A. Since you are the manufacturer of your airplane, you can use any engine that you wish. The factory does recommend certain engines for its models. The original AeroCanard was designed around the Lycoming IO-360. The AeroCanard is designed for the Lycoming 160 HP on up to the Lycoming 180 and 200 and the Franklin 220 are also approved.

Q. Are automobile engines approved?

A. The hp of automobile engines is quoted at their red-line rpm, which is usually about 6,000 rpm, but their reliability is based upon running at about 2,000 rpm most of the time. To get the necessary horsepower, they would have to be operated near their redline, and would require a speed reduction unit for a reasonable propeller speed. The speed reduction unit plus the water cooling equipment that is required would result in a very complicated, heavy, and bulky installation. Even if the numerous problems could be solved without destroying the esthetics of the design, the resale value of an AeroCanard with an automobile engine would probably be less than what it actually cost the builder to construct the airplane. Alternatively, by building and using an aircraft engine, the builder should see a return of 3 times the cost to build their airplane.

Q. Is the AeroCanard available with a retractable main gear?

A. Yes. The nose gear is retractable, and the main gear strut is tear-drop shaped, and with wheel pants, there is very little drag with the fixed main gear. The retractable main gear is not as strong or as light as the fixed gear. It has to retract into the strake, which sacrifices fuel capacity. To go 5 or 10 knots faster, it is simply not cost effective, since a retractable main gear increases building cost at least $5,000, would increase insurance cost, would increase maintenance cost, and would increase building time. Retractable main gears are subject to failure (to go down) and forgetfulness (forgetting to lower). In the event of an off field landing, We recommend you research the difference of the two types of main gears and make your choice.

Q. What is the AeroCanard safety record?

A. Because it does not stall, and offers exceptional body protection, the AeroCanard safety record is better than most homebuilts (and factory airplanes).

Q. Where Can I Get Support?

A. The Canard Community Forum is a free forum which covers many of the questions and concerns of canard aircraft builders. A section of this forum is dedicated to discussions between AeroCanard builders. The designer of the AeroCanard, Jeff Russell, visits this forum regularly and will answer your building questions whenever possible.

Q. How many kits have been sold, and how many AeroCanards are flying?

A. We sold over 50 kits for the AeroCanard FG's, 3 AeroCanard RG's and 3 AeroCanard SB's. 17 AeroCanards are completed and flying and some of those with over 500 hours.

Q. If you have to park the AeroCanard on its nose, do you have to lift the nose before you can climb in?

A. An electric nose lift has been designed which is strong enough for one to climb in while the nose is down, and then lift the nose up with the push of a button. It is already installed in several AeroCanards and we have installed one ourselves.

Q. How do I get more information?

A. Download the AeroCanard Info Pack here.

Q. Do you accept credit cards?

A. Yes. We accept all major credit cards.  We also accept payments via Paypal payable to al@aerocad.com

Q. Can I get a printed copy of the plans? A. Yes. Printed copies are available from Aerocad.com. You can also obtain a CD containing all the documents which constitute the AeroCanard and AeroCanard SB plans.

Q. Can I get a Formal License to Build an AeroCanard?

A. Absolutely. You will receive an official license to built and your unique serial number when you purchase the drawings and templates. You are not authorized to build an AeroCanard without obtaining a license. These shareware files are offered simply to let you discover what is involved in the project before you invest in it.

Q. Can I Really Do This?

A. You bet your assumptions you can. Canard builders include carpenters, dentists, astronauts, nurses and even lawyers. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist, but we DO have one in case you need his advice. No special skills are required other than an unstoppable determination to learn and complete the project. The reaction of most builders is that building an airplane isn’t as complex as they thought it would be. It is, in fact, a fun, extremely satisfying and life changing experience. For many, a most rewarding aspect of the experience is the new friends gained as a member of the canard community.