The Hummel Bird is an Experimental/Amateur Built aircraft designed by Morry Hummel and produced by Hummel Aviation of Byran, Ohio. It is a single-seat, single-engine, all-metal airplane typically powered by a 1/2 VW engine in the 32 hp-45 hp range although other engines have been used successfully. It is built from plans, but many of the components are available pre-made from Hummel Aviation. Variations Some notable variations of the aircraft include: Fuel: The standard location of the fuel tank is forward of the instrument panel. Some builders have moved it to the leading edges of the wings. By creating a sealed leading edge tank, the fuel is moved away from the pilot for better crash survivability with the added benefit of more than doubling the fuel capacity. Fuselage: The plans state that a builder can increase the width and/or height of the bulkheads in an effort to make the fuselage more hospitable for larger pilots. Engines: The standard engine for the design is the four-stroke, 1/2 VW engine, an engine literally made by cutting the block of a standard four-cylinder VW engine in half. After machining and welding, the remaining two-cylinder engine is light and powerful. Alternative engines include the more powerful but heavier four-cylinder VW engine, the two-stroke Rotax 447, and even the McCulloch 0-100-1 drone engine popular with the early gyrocopter builders. Variants Hummel Ultracruiser Ultralight variant Hummel H5 The Hummel H5 was built to incorporate the UC’s good qualities into a “roomier” airframe to accommodate someone over 200lb and/or 6 ft. tall. It is intended for 65-85 hp with most being built for a VW conversion engine. Tri-gear or conventional, The H5 is an excellent handling Homebuilt. Great ground handling, excellent visibility, and very efficient.
