Testimonials on the Hummel Bird

By Michael (Budman) Prosser (October 2002)

I started my project in June of '94 and completed it in February '02 (6yrs). I've logged 1,340 hrs building it and I've spent about $8,400.00. My building was interrupted by a divorce and my job through out this journey. 4449A is a certificated "experimental" amateur built, day VFR only. Empty weight is 321 pounds.

I purchased the engine (37 hp) from Morry in November '96 and since I started flying it, I've done the "Slick" magneto conversion, which required removal of the engine because the engine backplate has to be removed. So, since the engine was off, I did the tri-gear conversion (absolutely sweet!). Last Sunday, October 29, I did the case "oil sump cup" mod to help stabilize the oil pressure. All new engines come with this feature installed.

By Terry Hamilton (May 1993)

...I enjoyed building the little bird as much as I do flying it!

I'm not sure when exactly I bought the plans, but it was sometime in the fall of 1987. Well, five years, a few thousand acres of farmland, a whole bunch of cows, and two more children, an airplane was born. N822R rolled out of the shop door and onto my already prepared grass strip (60' x 1800'). Taxi testing brought out the usual bunch of teething problems, such as carb adjustment, tail wheel steering, brakes, etc. but finally all that was ironed out. I don't have an overly long runway so I took your advice and just took it up flying for a half hour or forty five minutes. It is as you say, light on the controls, but after ten or fifteen minutes, I became quite comfortable with the little bird. It seems to climb well 700-800 ft./min. In the power off stall its kind of hard to tell when exactly its stalled, because it doesn't ever buffet and brake like a Cessna or Piper does. It seems to start sinking and porpusing around 35 to 40 KIAS.

Landing on the grass is really not that difficult once you get used to having your "rear end" so close to the ground. I use 45 to 50 KIAS to fly it in and usually do three-point landings.

I still level off a little high now and then, but its not hard to correct with a small shot of power.

I like everything about the plane and would recommend it to others who were looking for a low cost fun plane to own and fly. There really aren't any surprises, it does what it is supposed to do and does them quite well.

Thanks again for all your support and help through this project. It was greatly appreciated...

If you've flown the Hummel Bird, please send your testimonial to be published on this page.

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