Why Choose a Mini-MAX
There are many aircraft kits and plans on the market. Why should you choose Mini-Max? There are many reasons! Please read the information below and/or shoot us an email at info@flyminimax.com. We'd love to answer your questions!
Cost and Value
In today’s world of rising prices, the dream of owning and flying an airplane can feel out of reach. Factory-built aircraft, hangar rent, and ongoing maintenance keep climbing in cost. The Mini-MAX changes that. Our Fin and Rudder starter kit is only $299, and a complete 1100R Mini-MAX kit is just under $11,000.
If buying everything at once isn’t realistic, you can self-finance by purchasing sub-kits like the wings or fuselage as time and budget allow. We also offer in-house financing through Credit Karma — reach out to us directly to discuss your options.
Because you build the airplane yourself, you’re also allowed to perform your own maintenance and annual inspections — another major cost saver. And since Mini-MAX aircraft use efficient engines in the 28–60 horsepower range, fuel burn is light, with typical tanks holding 6–13 gallons (5 if built as an Ultralight). That makes flying affordable for the average pilot. In short: for a minimal cost, you’ll get the maximum fun.
Flying Qualities
What truly sets the Mini-MAX apart is how it flies. Owners consistently describe these airplanes as stable, responsive, and simply fun. Unlike other light aircraft, you don’t need to panic if the wind picks up. The combination of a high-lift airfoil, full-span ailerons, and large control surfaces delivers superb three-axis control and excellent climb rates even on modest horsepower.
The wood airframe contributes to this experience too. Though strong and durable, it flexes slightly under loads like gusts or steep turns, softening the ride for both the airframe and the pilot. The result is a light airplane that handles gusty conditions better than many expect, giving pilots confidence and peace of mind.
Ease of Construction and Woodwork
Mini-MAX kits are designed to be straightforward, even for first-time builders. The primary construction material is wood, chosen for its light weight, strength, and simplicity. Wood is forgiving (mistakes are easy and inexpensive to fix) and many people find the process therapeutic. Builders often talk about how relaxing it feels to work quietly in a garage or basement, piece by piece creating an airplane that will one day fly.
Some people enjoy the building almost as much as the flying. It can be a family project with your children, a group project with friends, or even a senior project, college aviation build, or EAA chapter team effort. With just basic hand tools and patience, anyone can take on the challenge. Designer Wayne Ison once built a complete Mini-MAX using no power tools at all, just to prove it could be done.
For more information see our Building a MiniMax page.
Customization and Personal Satisfaction
Every Mini-MAX builder gets to put their own mark on the project. Engine choice, paint scheme, cockpit layout — you get to decide. But beyond customization, there’s a deeper reward: the immense pride of flying something you built yourself. Many builders say their first flight was one of the most unforgettable experiences of their lives.
That sense of accomplishment grows even larger when the airplane is built as a team project. Schools, EAA groups, or friends can share in the work, and the first flight becomes a milestone celebration for everyone involved.
Reputation and Community
For over 40 years, thousands of pilots around the world have built and flown Mini-MAX aircraft. The design has earned a reputation for being one of the best-engineered and best-flying light aircraft available. Entire online communities, like the Lonesome Buzzards forum, exist to share knowledge, stories, and encouragement among builders and owners.
When you choose to build a Mini-MAX, you’re not just getting a kit — you’re joining a long-standing tradition and a worldwide community that values craftsmanship, simplicity, and fun.
Mini-MAX in Print
The aviation world has taken notice. Mini-MAX aircraft have been featured in over 50 articles across Sport Aviation, Experimenter, Sport Pilot, and Kitplanes. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has highlighted them again and again as some of the most practical, rewarding kits to build.
Unlike complex kits that demand thousands of hours and specialized tools, you can complete a Mini-MAX in just a few hundred hours with common workshop tools. That means your dream of flight is not only affordable but also achievable. And once you’re done, you’ll own an airplane that proves — to you and everyone who sees it — what’s possible with determination and teamwork.