The inventorâs spirit has long lived in the heart of the aviation enthusiast. The dream has been alive since perhaps the dawn of man, but building a flying machine that can carry man into the skies to fly with the birds has only recently become a reality. It is this spirit that drives certain individuals to plan and build their own aircraft regardless of the availability of production aircraft. There has never really been a lull in the experimental movement. As time and technology marches on, the movement continues to gain in popularity and numbers. Design innovation and the availability and use of the most technologically advanced materials has kept the fire burning while opening up doors to efficient structural and aerodynamic design.
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 925. Empty wt. 603. Fuel capacity n/a. Wingspan 25′. Length 16’4″. Engine 70-hp Volkswagen. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 156. Cruise mph 120. Stall mph 35. Climb rate 2,000. Takeoff run 200. Landing roll 300. Range 600. The G/B is a single-seat open-cockpit sporting plane featuring a high parasol-braced wing and conventional landing […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 350. Empty wt. 100. Fuel capacity 4. Wingspan 34′. Length 20′. Engine 15-hp Tally Aircraft M.C.101 DT.PERFORMANCE: Top mph 60. Cruise mph 54. Stall mph 19. Climb rate 350. Ceiling 12,500. Takeoff run 75. Landing roll 25. Range 200. Because it is a mere 100 pounds, there is no debate that […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 770. Empty wt. 473. Wingspan 20′. Length 15.7″. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 110. Cruise mph 100. Stall mph 42. Climb rate 1,200 fpm. Takeoff run 150′. Landing roll 300′. The Boredom Fighter is constructed entirely from wood. Designed by Don Wolf, the aircraft’s raison d’etreis flying for fun. Available as a plan […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 500. Empty wt. 247. Fuel capacity 6. Main rotor length 21′. Length 11’3″. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 85. Cruise mph 60. Maximum climb rate 1,000. Range 100. There are more than 20,000 active rotorcraft fans in the United States. Originator of the sport is Bensen Aircraft Corp. With purchase of the plans […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 2,650-3,300. Empty wt. 1,600-1,800. Wingspan 36’10”. Length 25’10”. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 135. Cruise mph 120. Stall mph 55. Climb rate 500. Takeoff run 1,000. Landing roll 1,000. Range 800. The Aristocraft was originally the last plane designed and built by the Waco Airplane Company. It was aimed at the cabin-class ultra-safe […]
STANDARD DATA: AGA Lafayette Texan Seats 2. Gross wt. 992. Empty wt. 606. Fuel capacity 19. Engine 80-hp Rotax 912S. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 140. Cruise mph 124. Initial climb rate 1180 fpm. Ceiling 10,000. Takeoff distance 490′. Landing distance 460′. AGA makes a series of carbon fiber high performance kit planes, including the Sportster, Bushplane, […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,300. Empty wt. 650. Fuel capacity 16. Wingspan 32′. Length 20′. PERFORMANCE: Top cruise mph 95. Stall mph 35. Climb rate 1,500 fpm. Takeoff roll 100-200′. Landing roll 200′. The Merlin is an impressive STOL aircraft, ideal for wheels or floats. The two-seater has a roomy cabin and typically has a […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,282. Empty wt. 771. Fuel capacity 18.5. Engine 100-hp Rotax 912S. PERFORMANCE: Top cruise 116 kts. Cruise 108 kts. Stall 44 kts. Climb rate 807 fpm. Ceiling 13,123. Takeoff run 689′. Landing roll 656′. Range 429 nm. The AT-3 is available in Europe as both a certified pre-built aircraft or as […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 2,000. Empty wt. 1,080. Fuel capacity 57.6. Wingspan 25’7″. Length 21’4″. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 183. Cruise mph 174. Stall mph 63. Climb rate 1,400. Takeoff run 600. Landing roll 600. Range 750. The BD-4 was designed to be built by homebuilders who have only simple shop tools and no previous experience; […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 750. Empty wt. 441. Fuel capacity 15. Main rotor length 24′. Length 12’2″. Engine 65-hp Continental. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 115. Cruise mph 90. Climb rate 700. Ceiling 14,000. Takeoff run 200. Landing roll 0-20. Range 250. The Barnett Gyroplane is a single-place craft constructed of tubular steel, fiberglass, and aluminum. Its […]
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