Amax Sport 1700

The Amax Sport 1700, introduced by Australian company Amax Engineering in the late 1990s, quickly became a benchmark for home‑built, ultralight aviation. Conceived as a two‑seat, high‑wing monoplane, the Sport 1700 was designed to satisfy both recreational pilots and flight‑training schools seeking low operating costs and simple construction. Its first flight occurred in 1997, and the aircraft entered series production the following year, with over 200 kits sold worldwide by the end of the 2000s.

Key features include a 100‑horse‑power Rotax 912 engine, all‑metal tube and fabric airframe, and a spacious cabin equipped with dual controls, side‑by‑side seating, and large windows that provide excellent visibility. The wing employs a single‑spar design with flaps for short‑field performance, while the fixed tricycle landing gear offers stability on grass and paved strips alike. Builders appreciate the aircraft’s straightforward assembly process, typically completed within 500–600 man‑hours.

In aviation history, the Amax Sport 1700 stands out for democratizing access to reliable, low‑cost flying, fostering a vibrant kit‑plane community, and influencing later ultralight designs that prioritize safety, efficiency, and ease of maintenance. Today, the Sport 1700 continues to be supported by an active owners’ network that provides parts, technical advice, and organized fly‑ins across Australia, North America, and Europe.