EAA Sport Aviation - January 2012

Playing in the Snow

A Fisher Avenger on scratchbuilt skis BY MIKE HONGISTO, EAA 570872; CARLTON, MINNESOTA

IN 2006 I DECIDED that I needed an airplane more urgently than I needed kitchen cabinets. So that winter I started on my Fisher Avenger. I had built my own home with the idea that I would be building an airplane. I included a three-car attached garage with in-floor heat so that I could step out of the house in a T-shirt and immediately go to work. Forty-below zero wind chills are common in Minnesota, so this feature was a big plus during the building process.

I started flying in 1993 after I bought a private pilot certificate package from a local radio station’s on-air auction. I ended up getting 40 hours’ flight time, and an instructor, for $1,200, which was half the asking price at that time. I bought a Grumman Cheetah and put 1, 100 hours on it flying back and forth from my home to Omaha, Nebraska, where my new job had relocated me. I upgraded to a V35 Bonanza three years after another job moved me to the Detroit area. After I sold the Bonanza I was without a plane for about five years.

I decided on the Avenger for several reasons. First, I had to fit in it. With the Avenger, the seat could be moved 3 inches back to accommodate my 6-foot 5-inch frame without interfering with the front or rear spar carry-through. Since I moved back home I didn’t have anywhere to go, and at 80 to 95 mph I’m cruising comfortably with the Champs and Chiefs I regularly fly with.

There are two versions of the Avenger. I chose the V model with its stiffer fuselage and stronger wing spars. I found that an HKS 700E with its starter, electrical output, gear reduction (so I can swing a longer prop), lighter weight, and lower fuel consumption would likely be a better choice than the recommended VW engine.

MANY MODIFICATIONS

I widened the fuselage to 26 inches to fully enclose the engine. I eliminated the stringers on the side of the fuselage; that gives my Avenger its flat sides rather than the stock “bubbled out” appearance.

I never liked the idea of fuel in the fuselage so I decided to make fiberglass wing tanks. I also wanted enough capacity to fly nonstop to AirVenture, or about three hours plus a healthy reserve. I ended up with more than 16 gallons usable. With a maximum fuel burn of 3 gph, I easily met this requirement.

Baggage space was a concern. I needed to fit a tent, sleeping bag, pillow, air mattress, and enough clothes for a week. With the fuel out from behind the seat, there was more than enough room to construct an adequate baggage compartment.

Believe it or not the Avenger plans did not have provisions for wheel brakes. I bought a set of 5-inch Azusa wheels and drum brakes. These brakes work great, and any more braking power may actually prove to be a bit hard on the prop.