It Can Be Done ... But Pack Light

By David Juwel

One of the quandaries we have in aviation is how make it affordable to the average individual. We could offer them the powered paraglider, but there is little practicality to flying that, except for the pure enjoyment of flight. We could offer them a new factory made and certified 4-passenger aircraft, but the average starting price of something in the neighborhood of $300,000 exceeds the average individual's affordability scale. Even the new LSA aircraft, as excellent as they are, cost over $100,000. We're still off the individual's affordability scale.  It would appear that the closest we can come to a practical aircraft (2-person with cross country capability) for people on a tight budget is the variety of aircraft that fit in the $50,000 to $80,000 range (gyrocopters, trikes and a few fixed-wing). But even then, we're stretching the average individual's ability to finance the acquisition. So what is needed? Well, we know that the average individual is used to paying about $25,000 for a car which has extreme practicality. So what we need is an aircraft that cost somewhat less than that because it only has moderate practicality (compared to a car).To the average individual (particularly his wife) the aircraft fits in the recreational category (like a boat). It just isn't a necessity (unless you've been bitten by the flight pixie). That's the quandary...how do you acquire the ability to enjoy the magic of flight, with some practical applications, at say...$12,000? That was my quest today at AirVenture 2011.

When I told this to a fellow aviator, he asked, "Will it have an engine?" "Will it even have tires?" Ouch! Doyou see the quandary? To make a business profit, the complete aircraft can only cost the developer about $6,000-$8,000. Is that possible? Can anyone meet that challenge?

Principally, the problem is one of liability. It costs money (which is passed on to the customer) to keep the legal hounds at bay. However, I found one individual that has met the challenge. His name is L. E. Milholland.

Mr. Milholland built two extremely inexpensive aircraft. One is the Legal Eagle (single place) and the other is the Double Eagle (two place). To solve the legal issues, Mr. Milholland sells plans only. He has sold over 2500 plans for the Legal Eagle (with about 100 of them currently flying), and he has sold about 500 plans on the Double Eagle (with about 20 of them flying). The Legal eagle can be plans built for about $4,000 to $5,000. The Double Eagle can be plans built for about $10,000 to $15,000. Both are well within the average persons budget.

(L-R) L.E. Milholland and Joe Engelmann

Let's look at the Double Eagle. Is this a practical aircraft? Is this an aircraft that can be flown any time of the day, not just in the morning or evening? Can this aircraft fly cross country? Can it carry two people plus fuel? The answer is a resounding "YES!"  The Double Eagle cruises between 50-70 mph for approximately 100 miles (more if you fly slower), and is capable of carrying a 515 lb payload.

One of the Legal Eagle builders, Joe Engelmann, just flew from Lonejack, MO to Oshkosh (approximately 500 miles). He stopped every 100 miles or so to refuel. On this occasion he had a ground crew following, but he has made the same trip other times without a ground crew.

I'm told that you get a real open air flying experience with this aircraft. You get high visibility without the wind fatigue. Super! But don't plan on carrying any luggage other than a toothbrush, unless you want to wear a backpack.

FMI: www.betterhalfvw.com; www.doubleeagleaircraft.com