Flying through hot Texas thermals in a JDT MiniMAX

[verdemanthe1]

whats your mileage like

[skyeagle191]

Excellent

[oceanpirate83]

how would the mini max stand up to commuting ? about 100 miles . is it strong enough to fly long distance or do i have to warry about the wings breaking off?

i know rotax is great and if its maintained properly it will run and run but how about the mini max itself ? robust construction ?

[dhakagod]

Nice little flying machine. Is it possible for you to tell me what kind of primary flight control system is on the aircraft ? Nobody in youtube cares to show how the control stick operates in these aircrafts , the mechanism used...how the ailerons actually move, the flaps, the rudder ... nobody... :(

[minimaxflyer]

You might want to try our website by entering "ETLB" in Google. There is a search function that should pull up dozens of articles, posts, and pictures of the control system. Or you can join the BBS and ask all the questions you want, especially if you are interested in building this gentle flying bird.

[MCGDProductions]

Did you use the Rotax 447 suggested by JDT? I noticed for the 447 there are different gearbox configurations available, do you know which is recommended? Also in terms of reliability and engine quality how does rate? As well as that where did you purchase the engine itself, and the aeronautical instruments? Thanks!

[minimaxflyer]

The gearbox recommended has the 2.58 ratio. If you take care of any engine, it will take care of you. Since the 447 is made for flight, they are pretty reliable.

[WindowsAndMacintosh]

What type of fuel does it use?

[minimaxflyer]

Premium auto gas mixed with 2 cycle oil for air cooled engines

[minimaxflyer]

Yes, it has the 447 and the most common and popular gearbox is the 2.58:1 ratio gearbox. As for engine reliability, like any engine, if you take care of it, it will take care of you. My engine came with the plane as I bought it as an unfinished kit. The instruments came with it also, but I added a few more and bought those from various aircraft supply companies that sell them.

[WindowsAndMacintosh]

@minimaxflyer

I see. Thanks for the info. So about how much do these planes cost? And are there any chances of mid-air collisions with like airliners with them?

[leventis1991]

Could you please tell me where i can find the plans for minimax?

[emforty2]

depends on w/c country your talking about

3rd world is the best in most cases you don't need anything but fuel and maybe a small bribe to the local official if they look into it

[guitarperson14]

do you need a pilots license to fly an ultralight

[minimaxflyer]

You do not need a license to fly an ultralight (one that weighs less than 254 lbs). My plane is not an ultralight. It is a licensed Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) and you need at least a Sport Pilot license to fly it. JDT Minimax does sell plans for a legal FAA Part 103 ultralight.

[freedomzimbabwe]

What is the take off roll? rate of climb ?

Cruise speed and does it have flaps?

I really intrests me this little plane.

am doing my licence now in a C172R

but i think you did an awsum job well done mate!!!!

Cheers from New zealand!

[minimaxflyer]

Take off roll is about 100ft, land in 300 ft, rate of climb depending on temp is 800-1200ft/min. Cruises at 70-72mph and it does not have flaps (stall is 33 mph). Flaperons is a $100 option where it stalls at 28mph.

[freedomzimbabwe]

Thanks mate your a legend

[medicboy214]

How long did it take you to build? Did you have any previous experience with aircraft construction before building this plane?

Great video, BTW. Kind of stoked the fires of a life-long dream :)

[minimaxflyer]

I bought it as a partially built kit (250hrs) and I put in about 350 hrs myself to finish it. Besides building balsa RC planes and into woodworking, no experience of this magnitude. Google search "east tennessee lonesome buzzards" for our BBS to learn more.

[MCGDProductions]

what's the licenses requirement for one of these?

[minimaxflyer]

The plane in now certified as an Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) and you need a Light Sport Pilot license to fly one. You can go to the FAA or EAA websites for the actual requirements.

[MCGDProductions]

thanks I'm defiantly going to look into it!

[hellspawndarkangel]

those are great but they do remind me of rc planes lol, still a great plane

[PhillyPhill80]

Is that a 2nd seat behind you?

[minimaxflyer]

No, it is a ballistic parachute (the compressed air, not rocket kind). In the even of a major failure, the pilot and the plane come down together. It is attached to each end of the axle.

[EasternMerchant]

That looks like a cute little toy plane!!!

it's almost looks like that some of the FPV videos where R/C pilots place camera in their little planes hehe

[zollie67]

I have a open cockpit 1500R it is a great plane to fly even in the winds it also has a 447 and cruises about 70 mph.

[GeneralSirDouglasMcA]

I wonder what the fuel burn rate is? Probably hopefully better to measure it in pints an hour rather than gallons. LOL

[minimaxflyer]

This Rotax 447 (40hp) burns 2.5 gal/hr which is quite good. I have a friend with an older 447 that burns almost 4 gal/hr.

[detboy600]

They use those in Sea Doo's and Ski Doo's i believe, bigger of course, but still Rotax

[longrodvanhuden]

I gotta have one!!! Where can I get a decent used one? How much expereince do I need? How long is your average flight time on a tank of fuel? What instruments are located in the cockpit? Please reply. Thanks korb

[minimaxflyer]

My plane is a FAA certified E-LSA with an N number and you need at least a Sport Pilot license to fly it. Flying it in windy conditions is tedious to fly it but in calm air, it is the smoothest, easiest plane I've ever flown.

[Transam941]

better gas mileage than the 182 that's for damn sure! That looks like loads of fun. I used to fly a 182 now I am flying an LSA Gobosh 700. Great little airplane. Excellent video.

[minimaxflyer]

Thanks Transam941, I was a part owner in a 182, never flew it though, but jumped out of it. I've flown other GA planes and ultralights, but none of them fly as nice and easy as this one! If JDT sold a 2 seater kit like this, I'd buy it and build it in a heartbeat!

[Transam941]

I like simplicity when I am flying. Once you start getting in these higher performance planes, it can become tedious to fly. These simple planes are awesome. I love it! Although I don't care for ultralights to be honest. I have never been in one though so maybe I shouldn't jump to conclusions. Great talking to you. :)

[busyguy1994]

nice vid;)

how much did u pay for this minimax? (Reply Please)

[minimaxflyer]

I probably at this time spent a little over $8,000 into it. This is since 2001. If it was a car moving in zero winds, I would be getting an equivalent to 25 miles per gallon cruising at 70 mph.

[Aerolipe111]

Great fly mate, i'm working in my ultralight plan, 2 seats, flaps, only aeronautic aluminum, and some fiber parts!

Lets see what gona happen! =]

Bye bye

[pockrock2]

Looking at your video and to the site you suggested, I see you have a pretty nice experience on this specific aircraft.

Id like to listen to some suggestions you may address to me in order to check this machine for a purchase. By now I know its a well built, slightly used (70 hrs 447 Rotax), second hand aircraft.

[minimaxflyer]

I would like you to log on to the BBS and ask all the questions you want. Be specific on this aircraft as to what you know about it. I'm sure they guys will welcome you and be happy to answer all your questions so you can make a wise decision.

[pockrock2]

Hi.

Its my impression or the altimeter is stuck on QFE level...? I see it's on zero. Maybe is the image

[minimaxflyer]

I always set my altimeter on QFE and my GPS gives me the QNH. Using these instruments can give you a lot of information. Like the ASI and the GPS ground speed gives you wind direction and velocity. In the Bonham video, as I approach the lake, my ASI indicates around 65mph but my GPS indicated 117 MPH ground speed. Because of that, gas management (flight time) comes into play on the way home.

[minimaxflyer]

I've flown Cessnas, Pipers and a few other ultralights and this is the best and easiest one I've flown. Even though being made out of wood and fabric, I wash it like a car, and they are pretty easy to take care of and repair. They do require a certain amount of "tinkering" (like making improvements), but its mostly by choice.

[dieselboy92]

Are those hard to fly and land and take care of? I was thinking about getting one.