William 'Bill' Smith
I have the smallest and simplest airplane in this EAA-chapter. What most
people ignore: my plane can fly too. The operation is cheap and flying
this plane is big fun.
It is called a Hi-Max, designed by Wayne Ison. The company was called TEAM
at first, then Ison Aircraft, and now JTD Mini-Max. A high and a low wing
version is produced, thus the Mini, and Hi. Basically the same plane except
for the wing placement. The original name derived from Mini for minimum
cost, the max for maximum fun. The Hi just designated Hi wing version.
Building a BK 1.3
With the beginning of 2006 I started a new project, a
BK 1.3. The abbrevation stands for Bruce King, the
designer. Such a plane is pictured on our website, when he visited
Reklaw in 2005. In the meantime his plane has a bubble windshield.
However, until now, only my first wing and the center main-beam are ready. I made all parts by myself, without prefabricated kits.
Here you see wooden blocs to press and form ribs and the result. Although the wing is tapered, there is only one form of rear- and noseribs neccessary. Later they are simply cutted to different lengths.
Ribs are ready, one beam too, the other is 'under production'
Count the Clecos!
Rear ribs: - do you see the different lengths of the ribs?
Nose ribs: - here too, the lengths of the ribs is different, count the holes at the front and at the rear end!
A Cleco-Wood again.
One side is already riveted, countersunk of course.
One basic wing is ready. Now both are ready and stored
During weekends, my brother helping me.
Now the fuselage is on wheels.
One wheel. The tire and the rim are selfbought. All other parts are selfmade.
A fuselage has an outside and an inside. This is the inside.
The bottom of the tank. Before riveting and sealing the corners.
Detail: Landiggear attached at the mainbeam.
Detail: Welded pedals.
During winter 2007/2008 ... part for part and cigarette for cigarette.