MiniMaxUSAJuly 30, 2025, 3:33am
We’re finally back grinding away at the Niles Factory after a whirlwind week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, and we’re still riding the high from what turned out to be one of the most memorable weeks in our lives so far. This year marked a real turning point, not just for us as the new stewards of Mini‑MAX USA, but for the entire community that’s kept these aircraft flying for decades.
We can’t express how much it meant to meet so many longtime builders who went out of their way just to come find us at the booth. People drove in from across the country—some from as far back as the '80s—bringing photos, receipts, and build logs from their original Mini‑MAX aircraft. Some even had hand-signed order forms and shop notes from the early days. It was emotional, inspiring, and reaffirming. The Mini‑MAX name means something, and seeing it back at Oshkosh clearly meant a lot to people.
To say the merch table was a hit would be an understatement. Our hats, T-shirts, and coffee mugs flew off the table, but the real surprise hits were the Mini‑MAX coloring books and stickers—they brought smiles to kids and grownups alike. A few folks even told us it was the first aviation-themed swag their kids were genuinely excited about. You’ll be seeing more of that fun stuff from us going forward.
We had a blast catching up with Kevin from the Experimental Aircraft Channel, who stopped by to chat and get some great footage. We also spent some time with Aero News Network for an interview where we shared what we’ve been working on and what’s coming next. And for the first time ever for Jess and I, Mini‑MAX USA hosted two forums at Oshkosh; big tent talks where we got to tell our story, answer questions, and connect with builders face-to-face in a more personal setting. If you came to those, thank you. Your energy was incredible.
And to answer the big question, YES we sold kits! Between full kits, mini-kits, and several sets of plans, we were thrilled to get new builders started right there at the show. But we’re not stopping there. One of the biggest announcements we made during Oshkosh is our commitment to offering pre‑cut parts kits for each of our models.
We’re now actively working with vendors to prefabricate all required metal parts, and we’re pushing forward on laser‑cutting all wooden components. The goal is simple: make the build process faster, more precise, and more beginner-friendly without losing the soul of what makes building a Mini‑MAX so rewarding.
Beyond the booth, we made the rounds, and made some serious progress. We connected with engine manufacturers, prop vendors, avionics suppliers, and fellow ultralight companies. The response was incredibly positive. We’re putting the pieces in place so that very soon, you’ll be able to purchase everything you need to build your Mini‑MAX directly from Mini‑MAX USA... no guesswork, no sourcing hunt, no compromises.
This year was about showing up. Next year is about raising the bar. We’ve got some big goals in place already as we build toward Oshkosh 2026—from expanding our parts offerings and refining our kits to releasing better builder support tools and maybe even showing off a surprise or two on the field.
To everyone who visited the booth, bought a kit, shared a story, or just came by to say “Welcome back,” thank you. You made this week unforgettable.
We can’t wait to show you what’s next.
— The Mini‑MAX USA Family
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EbraTF2J3/
We can’t express how much it meant to meet so many longtime builders who went out of their way just to come find us at the booth. People drove in from across the country—some from as far back as the '80s—bringing photos, receipts, and build logs from their original Mini‑MAX aircraft. Some even had hand-signed order forms and shop notes from the early days. It was emotional, inspiring, and reaffirming. The Mini‑MAX name means something, and seeing it back at Oshkosh clearly meant a lot to people.
To say the merch table was a hit would be an understatement. Our hats, T-shirts, and coffee mugs flew off the table, but the real surprise hits were the Mini‑MAX coloring books and stickers—they brought smiles to kids and grownups alike. A few folks even told us it was the first aviation-themed swag their kids were genuinely excited about. You’ll be seeing more of that fun stuff from us going forward.
We had a blast catching up with Kevin from the Experimental Aircraft Channel, who stopped by to chat and get some great footage. We also spent some time with Aero News Network for an interview where we shared what we’ve been working on and what’s coming next. And for the first time ever for Jess and I, Mini‑MAX USA hosted two forums at Oshkosh; big tent talks where we got to tell our story, answer questions, and connect with builders face-to-face in a more personal setting. If you came to those, thank you. Your energy was incredible.
And to answer the big question, YES we sold kits! Between full kits, mini-kits, and several sets of plans, we were thrilled to get new builders started right there at the show. But we’re not stopping there. One of the biggest announcements we made during Oshkosh is our commitment to offering pre‑cut parts kits for each of our models.
We’re now actively working with vendors to prefabricate all required metal parts, and we’re pushing forward on laser‑cutting all wooden components. The goal is simple: make the build process faster, more precise, and more beginner-friendly without losing the soul of what makes building a Mini‑MAX so rewarding.
Beyond the booth, we made the rounds, and made some serious progress. We connected with engine manufacturers, prop vendors, avionics suppliers, and fellow ultralight companies. The response was incredibly positive. We’re putting the pieces in place so that very soon, you’ll be able to purchase everything you need to build your Mini‑MAX directly from Mini‑MAX USA... no guesswork, no sourcing hunt, no compromises.
This year was about showing up. Next year is about raising the bar. We’ve got some big goals in place already as we build toward Oshkosh 2026—from expanding our parts offerings and refining our kits to releasing better builder support tools and maybe even showing off a surprise or two on the field.
To everyone who visited the booth, bought a kit, shared a story, or just came by to say “Welcome back,” thank you. You made this week unforgettable.
We can’t wait to show you what’s next.
— The Mini‑MAX USA Family
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EbraTF2J3/
Mini-Max USA
605-299-1175
Info@FlyMiniMax.com
http://www.flyminimax.com