This is the sister thread to the "Difficulty To Fly Rating System" thread. In this thread I'm hoping we can attempt to classify how difficult certain aircraft are to build.

Definition of build: Assemble and prepare aircraft to fly without significant modifications or hop-ups. Modifications that make assembling easier or more effective are acceptable (such as a different method of hinging the control surfaces).

The rating system also assumes only the use of included documentation and access to forums such as these. It does not assume direct assistance from an experienced builder.

Ratings should be restricted to any aircraft that takes more than 2 hours to assemble (so no RTF, PNP, or BNF aircraft please).

The % is the chance the builder has of getting it right:

1. Beginner, 90% or better
2. Beginner, 70%
3. Beginner, 60%
4. Beginner, 50/50 chance
5. Intermediate, good 2nd build
6. Intermediate, difficult 2nd build
7. Intermediate, good 3rd build
8. Advanced building skills required
9. Advanced with several builds under your belt
10. Expert builders/designers only.

In your rating, please include the Make, model, and material of the plane (Balsa, EPS, EPP, etc). As usual, please put your rating near the end of your message and don't abbreviate.

If you have any suggestions, please speak up. This is a proposed rating system only.

I'll start it off:

1 Stevens Aero STIK (Balsa)
2 GWS Formosa (EPS)

Originally Posted by jpwkeeper

The rating system also assumes only the use of included documentation and access to forums such as these.

I have a little problem with this part.

Using the GWS Formosa; if you follow the instructions to a tee, you will smash up the Formosa for sure on the maiden flight. This is because they tell you to set the low rates at nearly 3/4 "

Yes, there are one or two references on the forums to setting the low rates to the correct value, but what are the odds that a new builder is going to search out every reply to the thousands upon thousands of Formosa posts?

Following the instructions to a tee puts the plane into the ground for a guy just coming off a high wing trainer.

Chuck

Originally Posted by NoFlyZone

I have a little problem with this part.

Using the GWS Formosa; if you follow the instructions to a tee, you will smash up the Formosa for sure on the maiden flight. This is because they tell you to set the low rates at nearly 3/4 "

Yes, there are one or two references on the forums to setting the low rates to the correct value, but what are the odds that a new builder is going to search out every reply to the thousands upon thousands of Formosa posts?

Following the instructions to a tee puts the plane into the ground for a guy just coming off a high wing trainer.

Chuck

So perhaps a Formosa needs to have a tougher rating than a 2 given misleading instructions. That's kind of the idea, just like the other thread, to give people an idea how hard it is to properly build a particular aircraft.