Kevin Wintergreen expects his Fokker aircraft will be flying within months — and he can’t wait.
Being a passenger in a plane can be scary enough for some, but pilot and plane-builder Kevin Wintergreen pushes the limits for his passion.
For the past nine months, the pilot of more than 30 years has been building a replica Fokker E.V/D.VIII aircraft at his property in Manjimup.
"It usually takes between three and six years to build an aircraft so nine months is really quick," Kevin said.
"Then again, I've built five other aircraft so I found this one pretty easy."
For his sixth build, Kevin opted for the first German single-wing aircraft of World War I.
"For its day, it was cutting-edge technology," he said. "It knocked the daylights out of the Allies but it was right at the end of the war - in actual fact, the Allies called it the Fokker Scourge.
"I wanted something unique, something different to what everyone else was building."
Upon completion, Kevin said his replica would be the only one of its kind in the State, and possibly the country.
He plans to finish it with the original paint scheme, don a World War I German pilot's outfit and take it to air shows.
"We were even invited to go along to the 100th celebration of the Australian air force which is early next year," Kevin said.
"Even if the aircraft's not flying, I still wanted to go along and put it on display."
So far, Kevin has put about 800 hours of work into the plane and expected another 200 would finish the job.
Despite being a "daunting task", he said it was relaxing and enjoyable pastime.
"In my spare time, I like doing something, I like keeping busy," he said.
"I'm not into sport so it's all about aviation for me."
While aviation is now the semi-retired driller's favorite pastime, it began as a practical and economical means of transportation.
"In the early days, when I was in the outback drilling, it was easier to fly than drive over dusty roads," Kevin said.
"I always enjoyed flying but couldn't afford this type of aircraft so the easiest thing to do was build one."
Since relocating to Manjimup two years ago, Kevin now flies predominantly for recreational purposes with the Manjimup Aero Club.
His choice of plane has also changed in recent years.
"As I'm getting older, my aircraft are getting slower," he said.
"I wanted something a bit easier so I don't have to worry as much."
"You've got to be young and fit - this is slow and easy and safe."
But even in taking all possible safety precautions, Kevin said there were never any guarantees.
"I've had a couple of close calls test flying," he said.
Kevin said one potentially deadly incident saw the glass cockpit canopy torn off during a military-style tandem flight.
"There'd been three previous crashes in that type of plane and it decapitated the two pilots," he said.
"We later learned the kit was faulty - one of the safety latches wasn't strong enough.
"It was bending, the canopy came unlatched and at those speeds it's like an explosion."
Kevin admitted he had more faith in planes he had built himself but acknowledged flying was never without risk.
"You can take every possible precaution but there are still the unknowns," he said.
"But it's worth it.
"I absolutely love it."
- Source: https://au.news.yahoo.com
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