Welcome to Robert Baslee's amazing production of vintage early 20th Century airplanes that ordinary people can build and fly.
Airdrome's many models — five of which can be built as Part 103 ultralights — look like a page from history but fly well in the modern world.
Here is one man's very successful mission to both preserve aviation heritage and give you the chance to participate in the fun …without having to do all the research Robert does. As a bonus, many of these kits assemble much faster than many kit designs.
"But he's just copying old designs and remaking them," said one naysayer.
"Oh, really," I thought! "You actually believe Robert can glance a few old drawings and then whip out a 75%-scale version made of modern materials — and with flight characteristics that modern pilots will find acceptable? Do you you genuinely think that could be an easy task?"
Anyone who concludes resurrecting these aircraft is easy greatly undervalues the effort it takes to thoroughly research and examine one of these vintage World War I flying machines and recreate them using the knowledge of the 21st century.
According to several pilots who have built and flown one of Robert's many models, these are well-achieved replicas that fly well, perform according to expectations, and are delivered in kits you can build in surprisingly short times.
How short?
"Any one of these legendary flying machines can be yours in a reasonably short period of time, approximately 300-400 man hours," said Robert. "Construction can be accomplished in a space about the size of a one-car garage. Each of our kits have been setup to allow easy construction using only basic hand tools. All machined and welded parts come pre-done. With the aid of our construction video and unlimited builder support, even the first time builder will find construction quick, easy, and rewarding."
How about operating one of these vintage aircraft?
"Flying an aircraft constructed with your own hands will provide endless hours of fun and excitement," added Robert. "Imagine yourself in the cockpit, donned in a leather flying helmet, goggles, and a white silk scarf, the horizon backdropped by the warm glow of the setting sun… this is an experience that very few people will ever know." A few Airdrome pilots I've met confirm these are easy-to-fly aircraft.
Readers with further questions or those ready to purchase one of Airdrome's flying machines can contact Robert by phone at 816-230-8585 or 
Recently I wrote about an American classic, Luscombe’s Model 8 LSA. We can go back even further in time and uncover a handsome flock of highly affordable airplanes that also check the vintage box. Welcome to Robert Baslee‘s amazing production of vintage early 20th Century airplanes that ordinary people can build and fly. Airdrome’s many models — five of which can be built as Part 103 ultralights — look like a page from history but fly well in the modern world. Here is one man’s very successful mission to both preserve aviation heritage and give you the chance to participate in the fun …without having to do all the research Robert does. As a bonus, many of these kits assemble much faster than many kit designs. Modern Pilots, Meet Airdrome Aeroplanes Robert is incredibly productive. In the video below, he notes he has introduced 25 new models in 25 years.
Sun 'n Fun is over. While staff, tent vendors and more have plenty of work to do, customers and vendors have all vacated the area, scattering off across the USA as they return to base.
Some have a new airplane. Numerous vendors reported solid sales during the show. Pilots liked what they saw and a good economy is powering activity. I will follow up with a show summary soon.
Following I have three more short stories. However, watch for dozens of new videos from Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer on 
However, it was the Mother Of All Cubs that commandeered the focus of many show attendees visiting the American Legend exhibit. This variation on their theme has several wow factors.
A handsome young fellow sat in the airplane as I approached. He turned out to be Luke, son of American Legend boss, Darin Hart. I looked again to see he was seated in the third seat. A strut maintains structure in front of the third seat but it removes easily with quick pins. Luke scrambled out of the third seat easily. "It's actually easier than entering the front seat of MOAC," said Luke.
Those seats do more. They can fold forward and with some securing anchors, can haul a different payload. The seating ties in with a whole new "turtle deck" as Darin called it. Not your usual turtle deck, this six-foot-long opening runs from the trailing edge of the wing halfway to the tail. The turtle deck opens wide enough to allow an injured passenger to be loaded head first into MOAC.
For three persons or an air ambulance, MOAC has plenty of power to carry about 1,000 pounds of useful load thanks to the largest Titan X370 producing 195 horsepower. Darin said climb performance is so strong, he plans to enter three AOPA regional event STOL competitions and believes MOAC can do well. "It's pretty easy to manage the takeoff to win," Darin noted. "It's landing really short that demands high pilot skills,"
The movie people saw the precision of his replicas. These are vintage aircraft built as closely as possible to their original but using modern materials and techniques. Under the authentic looking exterior is a welded steel frame. Aerodrome supplies these elements for kit builders. Movie studios may stimulate a design, by Baslee's creations have also enabled a following that loves the vintage look.
Of course, the guns in front of the pilot were not real …but they looked it. British military engineers invented a mechanical system to stop the guns from firing when a propeller blade was passing in front of the barrel.
See their whole flock in this 
At Sun 'n Fun, as he has so often done, John flew an Easy Riser much like his original from 45 years ago. A mere 15 horsepower, shifting weight fore and aft to change pitch, no landing gear, no instrumentation needed.
John developed an airshow routine where, for example, an angry bill collector so badly wants to bring down John that he comes to the airfield with his shotgun. Bang! A shot is fired. Off drops one of John's wheels! Bang, bang! Two more are gone and John's plane no longer has any landing gear. How will he land, the crowd wonders? No problem, as he'd swoop down and smoothly touch down using only his legs. These days John uses his full-castoring undercarriage so he no longer needs to land on his feet.
Landing gear or legs, it is always inspiring to see John fly. He typically joins in when the powered paragliders fly at the end of the evening when winds calm.
Ah, 