Velocity 173 RG crash will bring scrutiny on experimental planes

August 22, 3:54 PMBusiness ExaminerDarrell Proctor

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Experimental planes - often known as "kit" aircraft because they can be built from a kit and generally have few parts - are popular with businesspeople, especially those who are air enthusiasts and enjoy maintaining their own mode of air transport.

But today's crash in Las Vegas will again bring scrutiny to these aircraft. Crashes of small planes often involve businesspeople because they're able to afford such planes, and they provide an easier way to travel to business meetings, or to family gatherings.

If you can afford to avoid flying commercial aircraft - and the hassles of getting through an airport these days - you probably would opt for a private plane. And the kit planes provide an outlet for those for whom flying is also a hobby.

But tragedies like today's provide a reminder that there is sometimes risk involved with the convenience.