"Rising Popularity of Homebuilt Planes Raises Safety Concerns After Recent US Crashes"

The popularity of home-built aircraft has surged, with over 33,000 licensed by the FAA and a growing interest in the hobby. However, two recent deadly crashes have raised concerns about safety. Home-built planes are constructed by enthusiasts and require no formal credentials, only an FAA inspection and a $5 fee. While accidents are more common with home-built planes, experts argue that they are generally as safe as factory-built aircraft. The crashes have prompted renewed scrutiny on the hobby, but enthusiasts maintain that with proper construction and maintenance, home-built aircraft can be a safe and accessible way to take to the skies.