Howdy.
I was a homebuilder after I retired at 55.
First, I got my Private Pilot Certificate at 58.
Built a 62hp Kitfox with a Rotax 582. Flew it for 8 years all over the North West. 85 mph fun flyer. Short fields, dry lake beds, etc.. Best at 1500 AGL. Or lower
Next, a 120hp Jabiru 3300 powered Sonex. Flew it for 7 years, also all over the North West. Won a few awards at Fly Ins. 170 mph top speed, stall around 31. Controlled crash won't kill you! Normal cruise at 150-160 mph on 5.5-5.6 gph. Best GPS speed was 202 mph, solid as a rock. Very good at 6000 AGL or higher!
Having built these fun aircraft, I also had a Certificate to do all maintenance/repair on them.
Helped a number of friends finish, repair, etc. there aircraft.
One project was helping a friend finish his RV-6 with O-320. I get to fly co-pilot with him on trips around the North West.
Any one else out here