A Plane Is Born

Mark visits the Popular Flying Association Rally at Cranfield to see some of the 3000 or so home-built and vintage aircraft that have flown in for the weekend. Mark talks to Graham Newby, the Chairman of the PFA and the Editor of Flyer Magazine who takes him through the perils and pit falls of building his own plane

Mark travels to the Europa Factory in North Yorkshire where after seeing all the components that go into making a kit, he takes a test flight with Technical Director Andy Draper. In part two Mark starts his private pilot training at Staverton Airport in Gloucestershire with instructor Carl Bowen.

Mark learns that before he starts to build his aeroplane he must attend a workshop on composite building techniques. His crash course is instructed by expert Neville Eyre. In Part Two, back at the workshop, Mark begins work on his kit plane, starting with the Rudder. Some respite from plastics is provided at Gloucester airport where his flying training continues apace. In a regular feature Dudley Pattison shows us the Issacs Fury Bi-Plane he took 15 years to build.

In the workshop work begins on the Europa's wings and Mark puts his composite skills to the test. In part two he continues his flight training as he learns about climbing and descending. Nigel Marshall and Rob Cooper talk about the Pitenphol Air-camper they built at work in their lunch-hours.

Work on the plane continues with the Cockpit module and control yokes. Mark also receives a visit from Neville Eyre, his PFA inspector who checks to see that his work so far is air worthy. Over at Staverton Airport it's pass the sick bag when Mark is introduced to "stalling". Finally we are introduced to an American aircraft owned by Michael Wells where the propeller is at the back!

Work on the aeroplane moves to the Tailplane and Mark gets to grips with an electronic spirit level. Back at the Flying School Mark attempts circuits and touch and go landings. And in our profile of kit aircraft builders it's the turn of Olle Berquist, an enthusiast from Sweden