The retired tradie who kept his dad's dream alive by building his own plane
There are thousands of amateur-built planes registered to fly in Australia. Central Queensland's Len Neale is one such "aviation nut" who flies his homemade aircraft.
Central Queensland pilot Len Neale has built his own plane and fulfilled his father's dream of owning a plane. Len, now 74, continues to fly his J6 Karatoo, an airplane built in 2001 based on a US design with an Australian Jabiru engine. Len's passion for aviation began in his childhood and he has built and restored two planes since his father's death in 1989.
His first plane, Miss Sandgate, was restored in 1995 after being found in a shed in Gympie. The plane was originally built by immigrant Vladimir Slyusarenko in Sandgate, Brisbane, using a design from an American plane known as the Heath V Parasol. Len's brother and friend Kev Wilson assisted in the restoration of Miss Sandgate. Len, a fitter and turner by trade, has over 700 hours of flying experience in his J6 Karatoo and enjoys a comfortable flight experience.
He has recently cancelled the registration of Miss Sandgate as he prefers to fly his more modern J6 Karatoo.
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