hi max

Sorry that no one has responded to you yet.  I used to fly a MiniMax 103.  Fun airplane to fly but a bit underpowered with the one lung Rotax 277.  Let me point you to the MiniMax forum (I guess now it would be called a blog).  Lots of good folks over there who will be happy to correspond with you and answer your questions....

http://www.lonesomebuzzards.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl

I have built a v-max with an 1835cc 4cyl. It seems like a waste of a good engine that on the Thatcher or Hummel c5 cruise at

130 MPH instead of 70 mph. The same wing ect. except for location as mine. It's a puff ball with an excess of power. With only

5Lb/ sq. ft of wing loading it keeps you busy keeping it staight and level on any kind of bumpy air. The good thing is on landing

you can be way too high on final and still get it down within 700 ft. Just level it off a foot off the ground and you can wheel it on with

less than 200' of float. It's the complete opposite of a Cessna 150. I guess it's kind of fun, but I am looking forward to building

one of the above or maybe a 1/2 VW Hummelbird and cruise at 100mph on 2gph or less. If you're in to close observation of the

ground or you need something that will get in and out of small field, it's the one to do. I've seen the 1/2 VW used in this airframe

more often than full VW.

Charlie

N364C

I'm building a himax, but have not yet chosen an engine. The himax 1700R (which I presume you are building) was designed with the Rotax 447 in mind (that's where the "R" comes from), but can be built pretty much as designed with any engine up to 90 pounds installed weight. Full VWs typically weigh in at about 150-160 lbs, so to use one you will have to completely redesign and/or rebuild the front end to move that weight aft to properly balance the airplane. The airframe was stressed for 40 hp, too, so you will need to strengthen the front half of the fuselage to accommodate the added power as well as weight.

If what you really want is 4-stroke power, there are a couple of other options to consider. A half-case 1/2 VW comes in at about 80-90 lbs, and with the right jugs makes more power than the Rotax 277, which the himax will fly on adequately. A full-case 1/2 VW weighs 10-15 lbs more for the same power. The Hercules 2A084 and 2A042 are milsurp 4-strokes that are much smaller and lighter than the typical VW, and at least a couple of the 084s are flying on himax's, and are documented on the himax forum linked to above. Some folks are experimenting with the 90-degree V-twin industrial engines from Briggs & Stratton and others, and I am confident other engines as well, but that should get you started.

Hope that helps.

George, here is some quick food for thought. I have over 800 hrs in Mini-Max's. I've flown 5 different planes and three different models. Short and to the point, I don't think your going to enjoy the flight characteristics of a 4 cyl VW powered Hi-Max. Effectively it will ruin the light wing loading, low weight airframe and make it into a sled. This plane will fly like crazy on the 447 Rotax. I'm 225lbs. With the heavier engine your going to be fighting foward CG. Heavier reinforced fusalage, wings, attach fittings. It all adds up to weight and that will ruin the concept this plane was designed around. Quick build, inexpensive and performance that will thrill you in its original configuration. Don't get me wrong. I'm not opposed to experimentation, but what your doing has been done before and it's a well proven fact that your firewall foward weight is wayyyyyyyyyyyyy over what the original design specs. Better to do a different engine of select more appropriate airframe is my two bits.

George, A freind of mine just bought a Hi-max with a 4 cyl VW engine, I don't know anything about the plane, but if you e-mail me I might be able to give you the phone # of the builder, he lives in Green Bay, WI. It seems to be alittle over kill and a very heavy engine for the Hi Max, but the guy says it flys great. Kevin      krbowman@centurytel.net  

KEVIN;  THANKS FOR THE REPLY. I WOULD APPRECIATE  EITHER HIS PHONE # OR HIS E Mail address. ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO I STARTED A HI MAX AND HAVE THE FUSELAGE PRETTY MUCH DONE ,HAVE IT ON THE GEAR AND THE WINGS FITTED. MY MAJOR QUESTION FOR YOUR FREIND WOULD BE HOW THE FIREWALL WAS DONE  FOR MOTOR MOUNT  ATTACHMENT. I REALIZE HE DID NOT BUILD IT BUT HE MAY HAVE SOME INSIGHT. THANKS AGAIN.

kevin: thanks for the reply. I statrted a hi max about  8 months ago having it  on tyhe gear wings done and have a converted vw engine. I would like to talk to your fiend on how he finds the VW engine combo. handling  etc.  I would like to get his phone # or  e-mail address.  thanks .

George, I can't remember if I got back to you with the guys name and phone # who built the Hi Max with the 4 cyl. VW. If I did get it to you, were you able to get a hold of him. Here is a picture of his Hi Max and my Excalibur in the back ground. By the way I think the Hi Max is forsale if anybodys interested. Kevin