ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

So this might seem like an odd question (but I could not find anything using the Search feature), but what kind of flying qualities should one expect from a "Max"? Is there much difference between the Mini and Hi?

Here's a start...   http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/2012/Magazine/April/HiMax.pdf

Here's a start...   http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/2012/Magazine/April/HiMax.pdf

I can only speak to the Airbike.  Mine flew exactly like a Taylorcraft...but 10 mph slower.  It was the nicest flying plane I've ever experienced.

Thank-you, radfordc.
The article makes the Hi-Max sound like a pretty enjoyable little plane.

If you have ever flown a Cub or a Champ you got a pretty good idea of what a Max is like - except that most Max's are more responsive and have a higher power-to-weight ratio (excluding VW-powered ones). The biggest difference.....and I can't emphasize this enough....this is a low-weight, high-drag aircraft in most iterations. Basically, an ultralight, whose usage will be highly influenced by wind and weather conditions. Much more so than any factory aircraft. A good level of stick-and-rudder skill will offset this to some degree, but it doesn't take a very strong crosswind to completely blow a Max off the runway in an instant, in spite of your skill or intentions.

I have owned a Rans s-17, max 103 and now an Airbike and then all behaved the same. As Bill said their lightweight and high drag limits the weather conditions you should fly in. On a cool calm day they are total fun, on a hot windy day they will wear you out.

Monte

In theory our airplanes are much stronger than we think and the wings will stall before they break. It turns out   its the bird brain pilot who is at fault.