ExperCraft’s Simple Log has been providing aircraft builders and restorers a resource for tracking and sharing projects since its initial release in November 2004. This free website has had an average of one new user sign up every day, according to Rob Riggen, founder.
“Our builders are voracious and very active,” he said. “Collectively the ExperCraft community has uploaded 42,000 aircraft project images into the public database and logged 136,500 hours on their projects. That works out to 75 airplane building hours every day for five years. The productivity is impressive.”
Each builder is provided with their own website for displaying images and notes on their project progress. A guest book on each site collects supportive comments and feedback from other builders. “The whole system is automated,” said Riggen. “The builder sites are always up-to-date and hosted automatically for free.”
Builders can share their web addresses with friends and family across the globe. The database of projects can be searched by those who aspire to build or are trying to decide which kit most suits their needs and mechanical skills. Some builders have used the system to review upcoming tasks that have been documented by others to reduce mistakes and increase confidence.
ExperCraft’s data also shines some light on a healthy aviation consumer market. Builders who use the system can track their expenses using the software. To date $5.5 million has been recorded in the system.
“When builders sign up for the ExperCraft service they have purchased their airframe kits already but still have a large number of expenses ahead of them,” notes Riggen, adding, “We’ve recently begun offering advertising banners to vendors in the experimental and after-market industries.” The ads run within Simple Log and are shown to active builders, flying pilots and future aviation consumers.
To search and view aircraft projects across the United States, Canada and the globe, log on to ExperCraft‘s website.
If you’re building or restoring an aircraft you can sign up for free here.
