Hovey Whing Ding
Hovey · United States · first flew 1971 · light aircraft
The Hovey Whing Ding is an extremely minimalist American ultralight biplane designed by Bob Hovey of Saugus, California.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Minimalist biplane with a plywood box fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Minimalist biplane with a plywood box fuselage
- Chainsaw engine driving a pusher propeller by chain
- Conventional fabric-covered tail on a short aluminium tailboom
A tiny biplane with a foam-filled plywood box fuselage, a short tailboom and a chain-driven pusher propeller.
Specifications
- The Hovey Whing Ding has a length of 4.27 m (14 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 5.18 m (17 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 80 km/h (50 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Hovey set out to build the lightest aircraft ever to carry a person. It first flew in 1971 and is supplied as plans for amateur construction.
Variants
Early versions used wing warping for roll control; later models had full-span ailerons. The Whing Ding II had a higher seat so pilots would not drag their feet to stop.
Where you'll see it
Plans are supplied by the Vintage Ultralight and Lightplane Association; the aircraft is built by amateurs.
Related aircraft
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