Mini-MAX

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American kit aircraft

title: "Mini-MAX" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1980s-united-states-ultralight-aircraft", "single-engined-tractor-aircraft", "mid-wing-aircraft", "aircraft-first-flown-in-1984", "aircraft-with-fixed-conventional-landing-gear"] description: "American kit aircraft" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-MAX" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American kit aircraft ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox aircraft"]

FieldValue
nameMini-MAX
imageFile:JDT (Team) Mini Max 1550V V-MAX ZU-FJG.jpg
caption1550V V-MAX
aircraft_typeKit aircraft
national_originUnited States
manufacturerTeam Mini-Max
designerWayne Ison
statusKits In production
number_builtMore than 1802
introduction1984
first_flight1984
variantsJDT Hi-MAX
::

| name = Mini-MAX | logo = | logo_size = | image = File:JDT (Team) Mini Max 1550V V-MAX ZU-FJG.jpg | alt = | caption = 1550V V-MAX | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Kit aircraft | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = United States | manufacturer = Team Mini-Max | design_group = | designer = Wayne Ison | builder = | issuer = | status = Kits In production | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = More than 1802 | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 1984 | retired = | first_flight = 1984 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = JDT Hi-MAX | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/TEAM_Minimax_1600R_C-IFTX_01.JPG" caption="TEAM 1600R Sport"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/TEAM_Minimax_1600R_C-IFTX_02.JPG" caption="TEAM 1600R Sport"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/TEAM_Z-Max_1300Z.JPG" caption="TEAM 1300Z Z-MAX"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/TEAM_1100R_Mini-Max.jpeg" caption="1100R Mini-MAX"] ::

The Mini-MAX is a large family of single-seat, mid-wing, strut-braced, single engine aircraft, available in kit form for amateur construction. The first Mini-MAX had its first flight in 1984. Its name indicates its original design goals: a minimum-cost aircraft that requires a minimum of building space, time and skill, but which provides a maximum of enjoyment and performance.

The Mini-MAX family was originally produced by TEAM Incorporated of Bradyville, Tennessee. After that company was bankrupted by a lawsuit, production passed to Ison Aircraft also of Bradyville, Tennessee and next to JDT Mini-MAX of Nappanee, Indiana. The company was renamed Team Mini-Max LLC in 2012, with production in Niles, Michigan. In 2025, Mini-Max USA acquired the rights to all of the Mini-Max Models and took over the factory in Niles, Michigan. The company is still in business producing kits, assisting with builds, and selling plans for the Mini-Max series.

Development

The Mini-MAX models are all predominantly constructed from wood truss with plywood gussets and covered with doped aircraft fabric. The construction time to complete a Mini-MAX varies depending on the model chosen. Many models feature open cockpits equipped with windshields. All versions feature a short-span wing of only 25 ft, except the V-MAX and 1600R EROS, which have a 26.5 ft wingspan. The wing and horizontal stabilizer are both strut-braced: the wing is braced to the landing gear and the tail is braced from the horizontal tail surface to the fin. All models have conventional landing gear, with wheel pants as an option. Since the wing is braced to the mainwheels and the mainwheels are connected by a rigid axle, the pneumatic tires provide the only suspension.

The aircraft was originally intended to meet the requirements of the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles category, including that category's maximum 254 lb empty weight. The original ultralight models of the Mini-MAX were equipped with the 28 hp Rotax 277 engine to achieve acceptable empty weights. Today the 1030F MAX 103 and 1100F Mini-MAX achieve an acceptable FAR 103 empty weight if they are equipped with the 28 hp Hirth F-33 powerplant or an equivalent weight engine. Other models use heavier engines which place them in the US Experimental - Amateur-built category.

The Mini-MAX was also developed into a high winged version, called the Hi-MAX. The two designs share much in the way of parts and design concept commonality.

Variants

;1030R/F MAX-103 :Single seat, 22" wide open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 28 hp Rotax 277(1030R) or the 28 hp Hirth F-33 engine(1030F). First flight 1993, and still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 350 hours. 250 completed and flown by 2011. ;1103F Mini-MAX :Single seat, 24" wide open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 28 hp Rotax 277(1103R) or the 28 hp Hirth F-33 engine(1103F). This model uses the same "Lite Tail" from the 1030F and is otherwise the same aircraft as its 1100R "Big Brother". Still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 250-300 hours. ;1100R Mini-MAX (the "ORIGINAL") :Single seat, 24" wide open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 40 hp Rotax 447 engine. First flight 1984, still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 250-300 hours. 600 completed and flown by 2011. ;1200Z Z-MAX :Single seat, 24" wide open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 45 hp Zenoah G-50 engine. First flight 1991, out of production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 350 hours. 124 completed and flown by 2001. As this is a US aircraft the name is pronounced "Zee-Max". This aircraft is still supported by Mini-Max USA and all parts are still produced for it. Plans are still available by request, but it has generally been replaced by the 1500R Sport. ;1300Z Z-MAX :Single seat, 24" wide enclosed cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 45 hp Zenoah G-50 engine. First flight 1990, out of production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 400 hours. 231 completed and flown by 2001. As this is a US aircraft the name is pronounced "Zee-Max". This aircraft is still supported by Mini-Max USA and all parts are still produced for it. Plans are still available by request, but it has generally been replaced by the 1600R Sport. ;1500R Sport :Single seat, 24" wide open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 40 hp Rotax 447 engine. First flight 1987, still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 300-350 hours. 200 completed and flown by 2011. ;1550V V-MAX :Single seat, 24" wide open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 50 hp Volkswagen air-cooled engine and 26.5 ft wingspan. First flight 1993, still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 325-400 hours. 250 completed and flown by 2011. ;1600R Sport :Single seat, 24" wide enclosed cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 40 hp Rotax 447. First flight 1989, still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 325-400 hours. 315 completed and flown by 2011. ;1650R EROS :Single seat, 24" wide enclosed cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 50 hp Rotax 503 and 26.5 ft wingspan. Still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 325-400 hours. 300 completed and flown by 2011.

Specifications (1650R EROS)

|ref=Aerocrafter, Kitplanes & JDT website |prime units?=imp General characteristics

|genhide= |crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft=16 |length in=0 |length note= |span m= |span ft=26 |span in=6 |span note= |height m= |height ft=5 |height in=0 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=118 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=400 |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=700 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity=10 US gallons (38 litres) |more general= Powerplant

|eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Rotax 503 |eng1 type=twin cylinder, two-stroke aircraft engine |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=50 |eng1 note= |power original= |thrust original= |prop blade number= |prop name= |prop dia m= |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop note=

Performance

|perfhide= |max speed kmh= |max speed mph=80 |max speed kts= |max speed note= |cruise speed kmh= |cruise speed mph=75 |cruise speed kts= |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed mph=36 |stall speed kts= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed mph=110 |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kmh= |minimum control speed mph= |minimum control speed kts= |minimum control speed note= |range km= |range miles= |range nmi=125 |range note= |ferry range km= |ferry range miles= |ferry range nmi= |ferry range note= |endurance= |ceiling m= |ceiling ft=12000 |ceiling note= |g limits=+4.0/-2.0 |roll rate= |glide ratio= |climb rate ms= |climb rate ftmin=1200 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |disk loading kg/m2= |disk loading lb/sqft= |disk loading note= |power/mass= |thrust/weight= |more performance= |avionics=

References

References

  1. Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 268-271. BAI Communications. {{ISBN. 0-9636409-4-1
  2. Downey, Julia: ''2008 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 24, Number 12, December 2007, page 57-58. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. Downey, Julia: ''2002 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 18, Number 12, December 2001, pages 46-47. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  4. Kitplanes Staff: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 70-71. Primedia Publications. IPM 0462012
  5. Cliche, Andre: ''Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide'' 8th Edition, page B-40 Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN. 0-9680628-1-4
  6. JDT Mini-MAX. (2004). "The JDT Mini-MAX Line".
  7. Vandermeullen, Richard: ''2011 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide'', Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 57. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  8. Team Mini-Max. (2012). "About Team Mini-Max".
  9. JDT Mini-MAX. (2004). "1030F "MAX 103"".
  10. JDT Mini-MAX. (2004). "1100F "Ultralight Mini-MAX"".
  11. JDT Mini-MAX. (2004). "The JDT Hi-MAX Line".
  12. JDT Mini-MAX. (2004). "The Original "Mini-MAX" 1100R".
  13. JDT Mini-MAX. (2004). "1500R "Sport"".
  14. JDT Mini-MAX. (2004). ""V-MAX" 1550V".
  15. JDT Mini-MAX. (2004). "1600R "Sport"".
  16. JDT Mini-MAX. (2004). "1650R "EROS"".

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1980s-united-states-ultralight-aircraftsingle-engined-tractor-aircraftmid-wing-aircraftaircraft-first-flown-in-1984aircraft-with-fixed-conventional-landing-gear