Kit-Airplanes

TULSA, OK -- Days after two people miraculously survived a crash landing at Jones Riverside Airport we wanted to know what it takes to build and fly a kit-plane legally. It's definitely not as simple as putting the pieces together and taking off.

It took Mike Long two years to build his kit-airplane. Long is the President of the "Green Country Ultra Sport Flyers, " a group of airplane enthusiasts who get together once a month to talk about their planes and promote aviation safety.

Long says once he finished his aircraft, he first had to register it with the FAA,  get an inspector's approval, and receive an air worthiness certificate.

Long also has a technical counselor from the Experimental Aircraft Association check his plane from time to time, although that's not required.

After all of the paperwork was in place, and since he already had his pilot's license, he could then take to the sky.

When I asked Long if he ever worries about flying something he built himself, he said no.

In fact he has more faith in his project than many factory-made planes, because he knows every detail was followed exactly.

His wife has faith in his plane too, although she has never flown with him. He hopes she will change her mind soon.

"She said I was awfully careful about putting it together and she could be pretty certain it was exactly right or it wouldn't have gotten out of the garage, " said Long.