Homebuilt/Kitbuilt Aircraft

The inventor’s 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.

AERO DESIGN DG-1

STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 2,300. Empty wt. 1,700. Fuel capacity 55-90. Wingspan 19’7″. Length 20’4″. Engines two 330-hp Mazda rotaries (automotive). PERFORMANCE: Top mph 400. Cruise 345. Stall mph 98. Climb rate (estimated) 3,000. Ceiling (estimated) 24,000. The DG-1 holds the distinction of being the first custom-built Unlimited Class racer to be built in the […]

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EOS

STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,000. Empty wt. 670. Fuel capacity 15. Wingspan 26′. Length 16’8″. Engine 55-hp Volkswagen. PERFORMANCE: Top cruise 200 mph. Stall mph 55. Climb rate 1,100. Takeoff run 500′. Landing roll 800. Range 1,000 nm. The EOS SFA is a single-seater with retractable gear and a tractor-thrust configuration. The fuselage is built […]

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DIAMANT C.P. 60

STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,880. Empty wt. 1,100. Fuel capacity 45. Wingspan 31’6″. Length 22′. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 134. Cruise mph 118. Stall mph 51. Climb rate. 492. Takeoff run 850. Landing roll 900. Range 450. The Diamant is a three- or four-seat version of the Emeraude. This low-wing high-performance mono-plane is powered by a […]

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DOODLE BUG

STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 970. Empty wt. 616. Fuel capacity 25. Wingspan 18′. Length 16’6″. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 196. Cruise mph 170. Stall mph 70. Climb rate 2,000. Takeoff run 1,000. Landing roll 800. Range 700. This fast single-seater picked up three trophies when it flew to the 1955 EAA Fly-In at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. With […]

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DURAND MARK V

STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,840. Empty wt. 1,210. Fuel capacity 24.5. Wingspan 24’6″. Length 20’3″. Engine 150-hp Lycoming. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 170. Cruise mph 135. Stall mph n/a. Climb rate 1,200. Ceiling 15,000. Range 520. Takeoff run 550. Landing roll 450. The Durand biplane features a negative-stagger configuration so that it does not produce a […]

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JUNGSTER I

STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,000. Empty wt. 605. Fuel capacity 16. Wingspan 16’8″. Length 16′. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 200. Cruise mph 150. Stall mph 52. Climb rate 2,500+. Takeoff run 300. Landing roll 800. Range 300. The Jungster I was developed as an 8/10-scale version of the famous Jungmeister aerobatic airplane. The intention was to […]

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JUNGSTER II

STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,375. Empty wt. 739. Fuel capacity 16. Wingspan 22’4″. Length 16’11”. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 170. Cruise mph 148. Stall mph 5. Climb rate 3,500. Takeoff run 200. Landing roll 800. The Jungster II is a follow-up design that grew out of experience with the Jungster I. The intent was to create […]

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SONEX

Sonex, Ltd. is a kit manufacturer in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Their original design, the all-metal, two-seat Sonex single engine monoplane morphed into the V-tailed Waiex. Add a 45′ wingspan to that airplane, and a motorglider, the Xenos, is born. The company boasts the talents of John Monnett, creator of the Monerai sailplane and the Moni motorglider.

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MACDONALD S-20

STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 720. Empty wt. 456. Fuel capacity 10. Wingspan 25′. Length 18’6″. Engine 53-hp Volkswagen. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 110. Cruise mph 90. Stall mph 38. Climb rate 850. Takeoff run 300. Landing roll 300. Range 250. The S-20 utilizes all-metal construction but keeps it simple by the extensive use of pop rivets. […]

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MERKEL MARK II

STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,540. Empty wt. 1,200. Fuel capacity 18. Wingspan 25’6″. Length 22’9″. Engine 220-hp Franklin. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 206. Cruise mph 160. Stall mph 55. Climb rate 2,500. Takeoff run 300. Landing roll 300. Range 250. This two-seat aerobatic biplane is stressed to a +6Gs and -3Gs limit, and +9Gs to -4.5Gs […]

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