Are there any fuselage modifications required to adapt the light tail/ ultralight tail to the himax or will it bolt right to the existing structure? I would like to power it with either a rotax 277 or a hirth f33 in case your wondering. Thanks.

I can see no reason it wouldn't go right in place. Follow the build instructions and drawing for the light tail shown on the 1030 plans and you should be golden.

Hope I'm not missing some detail, but if I did I'm sure others will be along shortly to take me to task  

Lynn

Quoted from lake_harley

I can see no reason it wouldn't go right in place. Follow the build instructions and drawing for the light tail shown on the 1030 plans and you should be golden.

Hope I'm not missing some detail, but if I did I'm sure others will be along shortly to take me to task  

Lynn

I downloaded the plans for the 1030 max just for the tail and the himax plans for the rest of the build. Building from one of teams starter kits, the vertical tail and rudder. It looks as if I will have to buy the full size plans. Currently I have been viewing them from the pc and its been a little confusing to say the least  

Aren't the light tails Wire-braced?

Regarding tails, George posted the "history" of various MiniMAX tail assemblies. It's in post #19 of this thread  http://www.lonesomebuzzards.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl/Blah.pl?m-1519829385/

The current 1030 plans have the light tail that use the strut tube braces rather than 4 cable braces.

Lynn

Whats the actual weight difference between the 'light' tail and the 'heavy' tail ?

I've heard a difference of 3# or more, although I've not weighed either. If you're building with weight savings in mind I think the light tail is worth consideration. It is a bit more tedious to build I think with wrapping the leading edge ply, building up the channel spars and all. But, my personal opinion is that it is probably best limiting it to a MiniMAX that uses a relatively small engine. I don't think I'd put one on a full VW engine equipped "race plane".

Lynn

I would agree. Weight may be saved by covering with Oratex although gold may be cheaper.

Quoted from tomshep

I would agree. Weight may be saved by covering with Oratex although gold may be cheaper.

Visions of someone using gold leaf to cover their wings, the builder claims "yea it weighs a bit more than Oratex but it's got a high gloss finish and costs half as much. It also has a better resale value!"

I will post the weight of my light tail when I am finished, currently almost finished with the vertical stab/rudder and then I will start the horizontal.