So far, 1 crash:7 maidens due to engine failure. Put a new prop on and away it went.

As for having others maiden your airplane...

I could not fathom letting someone maiden something I spent hours on end building. I also build within my flying abilities, I guess. The idea of someone else crashing my airplane on its first flight is unacceptable. If I ever build a jet, I might reconsider.

Edit: Or a helicopter.