Ron Wanttaja
Ron Wanttaja is a retired space systems engineer. Over a 40-year career, he helped design, build, test, launch, and operate 18 spacecraft, up to and including the International Space Station. He has owned a Bowers Fly Baby since 1996 and flew the original prototype for seven years before buying his own. He is married to romance novelist Lisa McAllister and lives just outside of Portland, Oregon.
Buying Trouble-Purchased Homebuilt Accident Rates
Up to half the homebuilt fleet is owned by non-builders.
Homebuilt Accidents: Comparing the Causes
Do certified aircraft have different types of accidents than Experimentals?
Homebuilt Accidents-Comparing the Rates
A true head-to-head comparison with production aircraft is difficult to achieve.
Do-It-Yourself Ejection Seat
Adding lift to the seat allows a builder to exit his Fly Baby easily (plus it’s virtually undetectable to bystanders).
Amateur-Built Aircraft Safety Study
Ron Wanttaja digs into the details of the NTSBs safety study on Experimental/Amateur-Built aircraft to determine whether we got a fair shake. He also discusses its recommendations for the FAA and EAA.
Safety Is No Accident: Buying a Previously Owned, Flying Homebuilt
Ron Wanttaja looks at the accident data to determine whether its safer to buy than build an Experimental, and he identifies the key factors to ensuring a successful outcome.
In Case You Missed It
An Immigrant’s Journey
Enchanted with the idea of building his own amphibian, Larry Woods came across a Ukrainian design, the Aeroprakt A-24, which seemed to fit the bill. After much research, he got a hold of a kit, built it, and then liked it so much that he became the Canadian distributor.
2013 Kit Aircraft Buyer’s Guide
Here’s a look at the newest designs and how the kit aircraft segment of Experimental aviation has changed over the past year. By Mary Bernard and Suzanne B. Bopp.
