I need an understanding friend

[bpa2000]

If, after you read this, you do not consider me a nut and you have knowledge of how to build a large aircraft from scratch...I need to talk to you. I want to build a plane that is a little longer than 40ft. and a wing span of almost 60 ft. I have a been around aircraft all of my life but have never built one of my own. I am not a pilot but I hope to be at sometime (when I have the money) Anyway...If you are up for a challenge contact me.

[Dana]

What is the mission of the aircraft that it needs to be so large?

[Chad Jensen]

I was at the Weeks hangar all weekend, and kept looking at the Ford Tri-Motors thinking about how "homebuilt" they look. Something like that would be a cool project! Expensive, but cool!

[Hal Bryan]

Hey Chad - maybe a visit to Chapter 1247 is in order...? Road trip!

http://www.tingoose.org/trimotorproject.html

[Hal Bryan]

And, of course, by "road trip" I mean "let's go flying!"

[steveinindy]

And, of course, by "road trip" I mean "let's go flying!"

Especially if you guys stop and pick me up.

[steveinindy]

What is the mission of the aircraft that it needs to be so large?

That was my thought.

I have a been around aircraft all of my life but have never built one of my own. I am not a pilot but I hope to be at sometime (when I have the money)

I would suggest against building something like that as a first project. Even though my goal is to build a long-distance, high-speed turboprop, I am still designing and building a light sport aircraft first both as a way to develop my building skills and to test out some of the systems for the bigger project (seats, fuel tanks, etc) at a smaller and more practical scale.

It would also be wise to become a pilot before starting to build. The other thing to keep in mind about something with a 60 foot wingspan is the problem with finding a hangar to store it in (that isn't going to be prohibitively expensive) as well as the operating limitations so far as airports are concerned.

[Dana]

Here's one for inspiration, right about the sizes the OP was talking about:

Wilson Global Explorer

[bpa2000]

The mission for such a large aircraft is that nobody has one and it would attract a great amount of attention. My main question is what material to build it from? As for hanger space...well that is a bridge to cross when get the project up an running. I am currently drawing up the concept in a 1 to 1 scale to give others some idea what is on my mind. I personally did not realize the scope of this until I started drawing it out. (anybody know where I can find a 25 FT. french curve?...just kidding) I have no doubt that this will be a tough build...I have no illusions about how long or how much money it would require...It will take a large amount of both of these. If I sound cagey about this...I apologize. I am trying to get help with out letting out to much information.

[Matt Gonitzke]

'Nobody has one'...Uh, I can think of dozens, if not hundreds of aircraft that are that size or larger. The question still remains, what is the mission?