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. 1,570. Empty wt. 960. Fuel capacity 38. Wingspan 26′. Length 21′. Engine 150-hp Lycoming. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 145. Cruise mph 130. Stall mph 60. Climb rate 1,100. Takeoff run (land) 300. Takeoff run (water) 520. Landing roll 600. Range 550. The Osprey II is a considerably improved enclosed cockpit version of […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 900. Empty wt. 600. Fuel capacity 16. Wingspan 24’9″. Length 17’9″. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 120. Cruise mph 105. Stall mph 55. Climb rate 2,000. Takeoff run 200. Range 350. The Osprey is a tiny single-place flying boat. It is built from fir and pine; the vertical fin is an integral part […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,400. Empty wt. 860. Fuel capacity 24. Wingspan 22’9″. Length 19’6″. Engine 125-hp Continental. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 124. Cruise mph 113. Stall mph 50. Climb rate 900. Range 300. The Laco-25 is a sturdy two-seat biplane that is easy to fly yet very agile. To aid the builder, there are no […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,118. Empty wt. 638. Fuel capacity 20. Wingspan 20′. Length 20′. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 140. Cruise mph 120. Stall mph 55. Climb rate 1,000. Takeoff run 600. Landing roll 600. Range 440. The Lacey is one of the simplest designs for the homebuilder to construct. In the words of its designer, […]
The Sinus-Sport and Virus-Sport models are the certified composite two-seat motorgliders designed for the Sport Pilot category. Both models use Rotax engines and offer a range of about 650 miles under power. Side by side seating makes them attractive as trainers. With its prop feathered, the Sinus has an impressive 30:1 glide ratio.
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,350. Empty wt. 925. Fuel capacity 26. Wingspan 24′. Length 19’8″. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 135. Cruise mph 115. Stall mph 48. Climb rate 950. Range 500. The Kittiwake single-seat low-wing monoplane was designed to make full use of all-metal materials and modern construction while retaining a simple design that lends itself […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,125. Empty wt. 610. Fuel capacity 20. Wingspan 19’3″. Length 17’10”. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 120. Cruise mph 115. Stall mph 62. Climb rate 400. Takeoff run 800. Landing roll 700. Range 450. In 1966, the Davis all-metal design was voted the most popular at the Rockford EAA Fly-In. It requires little […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 800. Empty wt. 500. Fuel capacity 15. Wingspan 15’0″. Length 16′. Engine 85-hp Continental. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 235. Cruise mph 180. Stall mph 62. Climb rate 2,000. Takeoff run 600. Landing roll 525. Range 600. The Cassutt Formula I racer and sport plane is a little mid-wing flash that commonly wrings […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 1,500. Empty wt. 900. Fuel capacity 34. Wingspan 26’10”. Length 18’4″. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 2,200. Cruise mph 155. Stall mph 50. Climb rate 1,500. Range 850. Landing roll 800. The Cavalier is a sporty side-by-side two-seater of all wood-and-fabric construction. It can use any four cylinder Continental, Lycoming, or Franklin engine […]
STANDARD DATA: Gross wt. 775. Empty wt. 460. Fuel capacity 17. Wingspan 15’7″. Length 15’9″. Engine 65-hp Continental. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 160. Cruise mph 140. Stall mph 60. Climb rate 800. Ceiling 14,500. Takeoff run 600. Landing roll 600. Range 450. This single-seat low-wing monoplane makes use of the same V-type tail as the DA-2A. […]
Get the latest Plane & Pilot Magazine stories delivered directly to your inbox
SUBSCRIBE
