ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

Hi there,

I was invited to join your ranks by fellow member, fiebichpv. Paul was instrumental in introducing me to light planes, Airbikes and the previous owner of my little bird. I can't thank him enough for that.

Sunday, after many months of trying to nail down some tailwheel instruction and a dozen other distractions, I was able to make the maiden flight of my newly aquired aircraft. What a delight...

Monday, Paul took me on a tour of the local fields and streams to identify landmarks and local airstrips. The Airbike is an absolute joy to fly! Mine is equiped with in-flight adjustable trim, but control pressures are almost non existent at the take-off setting, so I left it alone. The little 447 hums along nicely, and the temps are right there in the green arc. The pilot needs a few items to get super comfy for extended flight, but the plane is awesome!

I look forward to sharing future experiences with you all.

Paul took some great photos:

Hi Andy;
Congratulations on your first flight, and welcome to the MiniMax world. Paul is the right guy to help you. I don't think there is anyone else with as many hours as he in a Airbike. Have fun, fly safe.
Bob

Andy is an all-right guy!

He has enthusiasm for teaching gun safety, was in the military, former policeman, and now a well-trained and ready AirBiker.  Having already had his pilot's certificate (earned in only 42 hours!) and recently receiving his tail wheel endorsement he is ready to help defend the Selby Aerodrome and surrounding countryside from the Huns.

His plane's name is "Hot Stuff" so I am sure he will do well in the French bistros following each mission and will allow the red-headed nurses in white tend to his physical and emotional wounds. We need more pilots like him.

I look forward to more missions with you Andy, there are plenty of places we need to defend in the immediate area and some a great distance from here.

AirBike Ace

That one got away before I was ready.  Below is a close-up of Andy during his first flight.

AirBike Ace

Well congratulations in getting your knees in the breeze. Great pics! Let us know how the battles go and remember look out for the Hun in the sun.

Gee , those Airbikes reproduce real fast.
Congratulations on your maiden flight, very nice pictures.

Thanks to all for the warm welcome and kind words!

I'm looking forward to getting the wheel pants back on, finishing the paint highlights and nose art, and getting after the Hun! Can't go into battle underdressed.  

Thanks Paul! That closeup made a good avatar!

Congrats Andy, and great looking machine!  Looks like you're having a blast!

Gidday Andy..

Great Photos.........if Paul says your OK..thats great by me...as he is a good character and a good friend and if he can inspire you...I'm dam sure your inspiring him......and Good Luck if you can Keep up with him... as I know fresh wood on the fire burns the Best.

and welcome to the Board....enjoy this great group and post often and share your flying stories (don't forget the camera).......as we all like to read them.

I envy your new outlook on our hobby of recreational flying....

Keep safe and have FUN

regards Arthur...Adelaide, South Australia..Minimax 1500R ..'Maggie Mae' (standard 1500R)

Andy's plane has "been around the block" a few times, actually across the country.  I believe the history started with Charlie Radford building it in the late '90's, then selling it to someone in Florida (or Chicago), then it went to Martin Towsley in Illinois, then to a fellow in Rose Hill, Kansas and finaly to Andy in Haysville, Kansas. Looks like Andy has a good start on adding a lot of hours to this airframe/engine.  Note that he is using George S. ram air intake.  It sure keeps the temps down.

Paul Fiebich

Below is another photo of Andy's first flight with "Hot Stuff".  Can't wait to see his nose art which he claims was modeled after his wife.

Cant wait........can I take a breath...LOL

Hey Airbiker guys, Can you give me an idea what is the takeoff and landing distance difference between an airbike and Mini or Himax with the same engine ? Is it better due to its weight diff ? Also how rough field you can take with this landing gear if we compare that to glass-fiber or alu spring landing gear ?

With about 2 hours in an Airbike, and having never flown a Mini or a Hi-Max, I'm not qualified to give informed responses to those questions.

However, I will say that I am very surprised at how softly my aircraft lands. I did my tailwheel training in a Citabria and a landing that didn't bounce was exceptional. My Airbike doesn't seem to want to bounce. Perhaps without doors, I am just better able to judge my distance to the ground before I flare.

As for rough fields..., I am aware of two Airbike pilots who have made off-field landings in particularly rough fields. One folded his gear leg up on one such landing, and the other wound up upside down with his head through the fabric.

Perhaps Paul will chime in. He'd know better than anyone about this stuff.

Hey PK, that questions is similar to asking whose girlfriend is "better."  There are many variables that influence the answer.  Also, there likely aren't many people who have flown both the AirBike and a Mini-Max to make a comparison.

So, hopefully many persons flying one of the planes will respond with their experiences, from that you might be able to draw some comparisons. Here are a couple from my AirBike experience having a 503 Rotax and a normal flying weight very close to 650 pounds (plane: 350, fuel: 65, pilot: 240), gear legs are tubular steel, tires are 4 x 6:

  Shortest distance on takeoff from concrete (during a contest)=280 feet

  Normal takeoff from grass=400-500 feet (nice 'n easy, I have plenty of room on a 1200 foot long runway, no need to demonstrate short takeoff)

  Takeoff from chopped corn stubble field after a forced landing=700 feet est. (clumps of dirt, corn stubble, weeds, VERY   rough,  my eyes bounced out of their sockets)

  Takeoff from rock-strewn field where I "landed" in the Flint Hills=zero feet, gear was retracted and locked, prop wouldn't turn because it hit the ground when rotated

I hope this is helpful if not humorous.

Paul Fiebich

Paul you are spoiled by runway length
I just wondered if this no fuselage version would work fine around short fields than the other little wonders. But it appears that not really much difference.  

As a comparison, my 1600R (447 engine) with drop wingtips  takes 350' out of a grass runway and less than 250' from a dirt runway. Take off weight is 600 lbs. Elevation is 300' ASL and temp 18ºC or 65ºF.
Landing distance is up to pilot's skills and it ranges from 0' to 1000'  LOL

I measured off a distance of 200 feet and set a marker.  I was able to get off the ground before the marker...in Andy's Airbike.

I see you're a tall guy like Paul and me.  Is Paul going to set you up with the forward mounted pedals? And have you found yourself a good, comfortable leg belt yet?

I actually prefer the pedals where they are for some strange reason. I am sourcing a leg strap for my next 'trip' of any length.

Here are some photos of the new paint work. Charlie may appreciate these since he built this little plane. Some of you may recognize the tail art as Charles Older's 'Hell's Angel' from the 2nd pursuit squadron, AVG (Flying Tigers)

Magnificent Andy!  You have really personalized YOUR plane!

Paul Fiebich

Sure looks good....well done.

share your flying stories with us.....

regards Arthur

Id love to have one of these....
Great looking beast for sure....

Thanks! They are fun!

Great paint job!  When I had the plane I painted a girlfriends name "Lil" on the nose.  When I met my wife I still had the old girlfriends name on it...I very quickly painted over that!

Quoted from radfordc Great paint job!  When I had the plane I painted a girlfriends name "Lil" on the nose.  When I met my wife I still had the old girlfriends name on it...I very quickly painted over that!

Repeated repaints could easily be avoided by "darling" "honey" "sweetheart" "the real one"  similarities...

I guess I will never learn  

Looks great Charlie! I think nose art deserves its own chapter in the story of art history.

Do you still have any early pics of my plane from when it was yours?

Here are a few.  There was also a picture of me flying at Oshkosh published in the Experimenter magazine in 1998.