"R.W. Behan" wrote:
There can be no better source of advice than this group for my
question: am I too old to take up flying--and building an airplane?

It seems one can never be too old to learn to fly:
"Student Pilot Solos At 91"
http://avweb.com/newswire/12_21a/briefs/192289-1.html

I find the Zenith STOL's irresistible. The 701, the 2-seater, can be
flown with a 10-hour sport license, so at my age--and limited time out
there ahead--it might make sense to focus on that airplane.

If you're looking at the 701, you might also want to take a look at the
Savannah:
http://www.skykits.com/

But I'd
really prefer the 801, the 4-place plane. It would take longer to get
the necessary private pilot's license--40 hours of flying time instead
of 10--

I believe the minimum training for the airplane sport pilot certificate is
20 hours, not 10:
http://www.sportpilot.org/newpilot/n..._training.html