ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

I have been largely absent from the board for the last 9 years before acquiring another Minimax last January. I am curious as to how many members we have that are actively building or Flying team aircraft (or anything else for that matter). I'll start off and anyone who wishes can follow suit.

Chris Duncan   Wichita, KS

1550 Vmax- Currently flying
NIson Easy prototype- Undergoing restoration
1700 Himax converted to Minimax- airworthy but disassembled
Pietenpol Aircamper- undergoing repair
Weedhopper JC24-C- Currently Flying
Weedhopper JC24-40- airworthy but disassembled
American Aerolights Eagle B- disassembled but complete

I have a 1100R that I am doing some recover work on just cause it is more than 20 years old. I want to see how every thing is going with the 30 year old ribs I built in the dark ages. Weather has NOT BEEN GOOD FOR PAINTING so waiting for September.

Ken Grenier,  Boonville NY
Currently building a 1550V MiniMax.
Formally  built and flown a 1600R MiniMax. New owner is still flying it after 20 years. Great little planes.

Building a 1550 Vmax with a great planes 1676cc engine.  Low hour, sport student pilot (25 hrs) but I am a younger builder at age 34.  Slowly building as i spend most of my time working.

Currently building my 1030/1100 (who knows?) with a Kawi 440.  I'm only 25, is there anyone young like that on the forum?  East Stroudsburg, PA.

Ben Proffit, Lenoir NC

Currently enjoying an Airbike tandem r582

First plane was a minimax 1600r r447

I'm 26 now, was around 16/17 when I got my first Max

Eric Blevins
Columbus, Ohio

1030 with Kawasaki 440a

'Ya know there is a sticky on the home page, "Who is who and where"

Flydog
Mass
Airbike
1/2 VW

Flydog, I'm aware of the sticky but it dates back to 2014. I guess I am just hoping to get a current list of who's still here and building/flying. The group seems to have shrunk alot in the last few years.

Chris

HI-Max 1700
Hirth 2702
Smyrna, GA

The plane needs to be recovered, some minor repairs need to be made, and I need to install fuel tanks and windows.

Unfortunately life keeps happening... (it is 2020 after all).

Yeah, people drift off.
I just recently found a AirBike Facebook group. I wonder if there also is a minimax group? And a Himax group? Lot of names over there I do not recognize, unless they are using different handles. Honestly dont know why there needs to be different Ison groups scattered about. They should all be here at the Ison center of the Universe.
But speaking of drifting off...I guess I'm cluttering up your poll.  

Mick van der Sluis

Perth, Western Australia

Just finished building our Himax 1400 with Rotax 503. Now have 11hrs on the Airframe.

Still some little cosmetic jobs to do.

Quoted from flydog Yeah, people drift off.
I just recently found a AirBike Facebook group. I wonder if there also is a minimax group? And a Himax group?  

It turns out that there is.
Team Mini Max / Hi-Max Owners

Until you mentioned it, I honestly never thought to look...

Still fly miniMAX SN 104. Manson Iowa

Tim , 34 years old
NY, Based KSDC w/ 120 hours in PA-28 140 - Piper Cherokee

I am just about done with the empennage and also the rib kit

I chose minimax because of the reputation and versatility -  still undecided on a/c model and engine I will use. I am following both EROS and 1600r plans as I go along and observing differences.

goal is 5 years. Will likely take me 20. haha. but I am committed to the project.

That Facebook group mentioned is very active and has been helpful for quickly viewing pictures to vet my build process. There is also a UK group.

still working on the Rag Wing Ultra Piet

I have been storing 5 years my 1100R project while finishing a new project, an Adventurer 333.  Paper work almost done then schedule a DAR.  So time to finish the max. I have 4 repairs to the wing ribs to do.  Then finish the leading edge of one wing.  create the head rest and cut out for the wings and the wood work should be finished.  Still haven't decided on an engine.  leaning towards a half vw at the moment.

I'm still plugging away at my 1550V. Now that winter is upon us, I'll have more time to be building on it. I'm hoping to get the fusalage up on some landing gear. Would also like to get the horizontal feathers finished up.

hi
picked up a barely started HiMax kit three years ago for $500, changed it to a flat top and it is now done, and I had hoped to put in features which would allow it to come close to being easy for one man assemble/disassemble to avoid hangar costs.  Built a neat trailer for it too.  Did not count on getting older and now finding the quick assemble/disassemble is far from quick with just me, not bad with someone, but that was not my original hope. Have a test pilot lined up if winter doesn't get here too quickly.  May just have him put five or so hours on it and then try to sell it.  Nothing against the Max, it is definitely a success story, just did not live up to what my old age needs for quick and easy assemble/disassemble with trailering home each time.  Has CB-40 Mosler, new Sterba wood prop, flat top open concept, once tested, if I don't keep it, I probably would want around $4000 and then hunt for a true easy wing fold something or other in the $6-8000 range.  Safe flying to all, keep em comin!!!
Kim Brown
New Hampshire

hi
hopefully a photo shows up of the wingless Max and the trailer I built for it
Kim Brown

Deciding which aircraft to build
R447
SW, Texas

I have a destroyed 1600R. The R447 and gauges are good.
I'm considering whether I should build a MiniMax or an Airbike.

Hi Chris:
I have been on and off the board for last 15+ years. I remember well your early adventures... I still own several aircraft (Mooney, C150, Eros) and projects, but unfortunately, past few years all have been idle and in storage. I am sure I am not the first to find that life takes unexpected turns, and sometimes aviation takes a back seat.
That said, I do really hope to both get back in the air in 2021, and back to building...