The JDT Mini-MAX is a large family of single-seat, mid-wing, strut

Strut

A strut is a structural component designed to resist longitudinal compression. Struts provide outwards-facing support in their lengthwise direction, which can be used to keep two other components separate, performing the opposite function of a tie...

-braced, single engine aircraft, available in kit form for amateur construction

Homebuilt aircraft

Also known as amateur-built aircraft or kit planes, homebuilt aircraft are constructed by persons for whom this is not a professional activity. These aircraft may be constructed from "scratch," from plans, or from assembly kits.-Overview:...

. The first Mini-MAX had its first flight in 1984. Its name is a deviation of 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 finally JDT Mini-MAX

JDT Mini-MAX

JDT Mini-MAX, LLC is a kit aircraft manufacturer located in Nappanee, Indiana. The company produces the Mini-MAX and Hi-MAX lines of aircraft. All the designs feature wooden construction with aircraft fabric covering...

 of Nappanee, Indiana

Nappanee, Indiana

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,710 people, 2,521 households, and 1,792 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,818.9 people per square mile . There were 2,647 housing units at an average density of 717.5 per square mile...

.

Development

The Mini-MAX models are all predominantly constructed from wood truss with plywood

Plywood

Plywood is a type of manufactured timber made from thin sheets of wood veneer. It is one of the most widely used wood products. It is flexible, inexpensive, workable, re-usable, and can usually be locally manufactured...

 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 (7.6 m), except the V-MAX and 1600R EROS, which have a 26.5 ft (8.1 m) 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

Conventional landing gear

thumb|The [[Piper PA-18|Piper Super Cub]] is a popular taildragger aircraft.thumb|right|A [[Cessna 150]] converted to taildragger configuration by installation of an after-market modification kit....

, 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

Ultralight aircraft (United States)

Ultralight aircraft in the United States are much smaller and lighter than ultralight aircraft in all other countries.In the USA ultralights are classified as vehicles and not aircraft and are thus not required to be registered or for the pilot to have a pilot licence or certificate.- US definition...

 category, including that category's maximum 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight. The original ultralight models of the Mini-MAX were equipped with the 28 hp Rotax 277

Rotax 277

|-Specifications :-See also:...

 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

Hirth F-33

|-Specifications :-External links:*...

 powerplant. 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

JDT Hi-MAX

|-See also:...

. The two designs share much in the way of parts and design concept commonality.

Variants

1030F MAX-103

Single seat, open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 28 hp Hirth F-33

Hirth F-33

|-Specifications :-External links:*...

 engine. Still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 300-350 hours.

1030R MAX-103

Single seat, open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 28 hp Rotax 277

Rotax 277

|-Specifications :-See also:...

. First flight 1993, out of production, replaced by the 1030F. Manufacturer claimed construction time 350 hours. 250 completed and flown by 2011.

1100F Mini-MAX

Single seat, open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 28 hp Hirth F-33

Hirth F-33

|-Specifications :-External links:*...

 engine. Still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 250-300 hours.

1100R Mini-MAX

Single seat, open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 40 hp Rotax 447

Rotax 447

|-Specifications :...

 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, 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".

1300Z Z-MAX

Single seat, 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".

1500R Sport

Single seat, open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 40 hp Rotax 447

Rotax 447

|-Specifications :...

 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, open cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 50 hp Volkswagen air-cooled engine and 26.5 ft (8.1 m) wingspan. First flight 1993, still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 325-400 hours. 250 completed and flown by 2011.

1600R Sport

Single seat, enclosed cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 40 hp Rotax 447

Rotax 447

|-Specifications :...

. First flight 1989, still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 325-400 hours. 315 completed and flown by 2011.

1650R EROS

Single seat, enclosed cockpit, mid-wing aircraft with the 50 hp Rotax 503

Rotax 503

|-Specifications :...

 and 26.5 ft (8.1 m) wingspan. Still in production. Manufacturer claimed construction time 325-400 hours. 300 completed and flown by 2011.

Specifications (1650R EROS)

See also