Affordaplane Eagles Nest
Here we showcase just a few of our many customers who built their own Affordaplane aircraft and fly them regularly. You are an inspiration and we salute you! 

Shawn Wiedenhoeft

I started my A-plane build in my one car garage and it took me about 4 years to complete. I built the wings first because I knew I could hang those from the ceiling and I’d still have room for the fuselage. Even though the plans are very thorough and well drawn, when you’re building you still need to make thousands of decisions that make this airplane your own.
The things that make my A-plane different are the wings, the landing gear and, of course, the half VW engine. The wings are different because I used aluminum ribs but I shaped them to the “Clark-Y” profile used for foam ribs. I took out the “valley” between the ribs by adding a 4″ x 12′ c-channel crosspiece that I made from flashing. Its attached to each rib at the top of the chord.
My spring landing gear I designed myself using scooter shock absorbers.
I built the half VW engine myself, wanting to get the most power out of the least weight but still having a 4-stroke motor. I used the full case for oil capacity and just blocked off the rear cylinder holes and the flywheel hole with 1/8 aluminum plates. I also trimmed most of the flywheel bell housing off of the case. The two cylinders are 94mm aluminum rather than steel for heat dissipation. I have two 28mm mikuni carbs that are tuned. Finally I went with dual ignition for safety and added hp. One of the problems with using a half VW engine on the A-plane is that its hard to fit in a magneto on the flywheel end of the case with the centerline frame of the A-plane. I went with using a traditional distributor and a secondary ignition that runs off the oil pump.
If you’re not an experienced pilot with some aeronautical training, the closer you stick to the plans, the better.
I have about 1.5 hours flight time on my plane since I put the VW on and I couldn’t be happier. Its a great design and an awesome airplane!

Robert Kroemer

I started building the Affordaplane back in 2017 after a spell in hospital. I left hospital with a greater energy to follow my dreams. My dreams being to build my own little flying machine. My interest in aviation included RC building and flying and a stint in the seventies flying gliders. I had never flown a powered plane.
But what to build? I had the plans to a Mike Sandler Goat but on the net l discovered Dave Edwards Affordaplane. It’s simplicity appealed to me and l thought this is it. A good friend lent me a building table and l drew the outline for the fuselage. Ordered materials and l was away. I will mention that sourcing materials in Australia was a challenge but was quite do able using the Net.
I acquired a 377 Rotax and soon my little machine was completed. I didn’t change a thing from the plans with the exception of using push rods for the ailerons instead of cable’s. And l guess l fitted wheels with a hand brake but these are hardly necessary.
2019 I gained my recreational pilots license and soon after flew the Affordaplane after a mate had flown it and gave me the thumbs up. Since l have flown it over 50 times and have enjoyed ever flight. Pushing myself to now fly in moderate winds and during the middle of the day. I feel safe in my plane and find it very easy to land. It climbs at 500 ft min at 6200 rpm. Cruising at 60 mph at 5800 rpm. I approach at 60 mph and with throttle off land at 24 mph. A great little machine and l look forward to many more hours of flying in the future. A credit to the designer Dave Edwards.

Jason Woodford

My Affordaplane Journey

My name is Jason Woodford. I have had a fascination with aviation from childhood, my grandfather taking me to airshows, flying balsa wood gliders, and then as a teenager flying RC planes. I have always had the dream of flying myself someday.
I came across the Affordaplane design online and decided to order plans and build it. I built my plane in a one car garage. It took me around 9 months from February 2020 till November 2020.
There were many times I could have gotten discouraged along the way, but I kept after it with the encouragement of other Affordaplane builders and flyers.
Another challenge was learning to fly. I came to the Affordaplane project with some training in general aviation, but not my pilot’s license. I had 20 hours in a Cessna 172, and then took a couple hours in a Piper Cub for tailwheel instruction before I flew my Affordaplane.
When I finally flew my Affordaplane I wondered what I was so worried about. It is a well thought out design and flies beautifully!
I am so grateful to Dave Edwards, as well as the Affordaplane community, who were an encouragement to me and answered questions I had along the way. Not only are the plans well put together and an excellent design, the community surrounding the design is a great place to learn and enjoy the process of completing your build.
I have had accomplishments of various kinds in my life, but none as rewarding to me as building and then flying my own airplane. I have had no previous experience building aircraft, or working on aircraft. I have simple tools in a small garage and was able to accomplish my dream of flight!

More Eagles to come!