Corey, I think you have a misconception about kitplanes, and the FAR's! What makes you think it takes more skills or knowledge to restore a 150 than it does to build a kitplane? For the novice, the learning curve would likely be steeper building a kit than restoring a certificated aircraft. No kitplane assembles as easily as a model airplane kit! There is usually a lot that has to be engineered (or reengineered) by the builder and built from scratch, requiring new skills that many licensed mechanics never have to learn. Your work is periodically inspected by an FAA designated inspector, and there is the very real risk of having to redo expensive work (there are often no detailed manuals to guide you). Very few kits could be built in less time than a certificated aircraft can be fully restored.
Many people think there is no legal way for an unlicensed mechanic to work on an aircraft, but it happens every day, at every major airline in the world, and at many FBO's on customer's aircraft. Even for a licensed mechanic, there is a first time for every task. Even a kid still in high school with no aviation experience can do anything on any aircraft, as long as the work is done under a licensed mechanics supervision (that often needs be little more than an inspection afterwards). I know, because I was that kid!
Every pilot knows you don't need a pilot's license to fly an aircraft! Before they ever left the ground on their very first training flight, most were in complete control of the aircraft (under an instructor's direct supervision, of course). Why would maintenance be any different? Many owners on this forum have already discovered that they have abilities they never dreamed they had before aircraft ownership, and have legally completed some very extensive rework projects on their 150's and 152's under a licensed mechanic's supervision. Their bragging rights are enormous, and we're all very proud of them!
There may be advantages to building and flying a kit, but there are also distinct disadvantages, not the least of which is time and expense. It will very likely cost more (much more) to purchase a new kit, and take much longer to build, than it will to purchase and restore a 150! There is nothing in the FAR's that says the novice can't do his own work on a certificated aircraft. What they do say (in essence) is that any work (done by the unlicensed or inexperienced) has to be inspected and signed off by a certified technician before return to service (in some specific cases, only a private pilot's license is required.)
Whatever your dream, pursue it! You CAN do it! There may be other reasons why you might choose one path over another, but lack of knowledge should never be one of them. Mom always used to tell me "Can't never could do anything!" If you have any capacity to learn... you can do anything! Mom also used to tell me "If you want something bad enough, find a way to get it!"
Thanks, Mom!
