Everyone kept asking us if we’d seen the red Hatz out on the homebuilt line, and when we walked up to Rick and Kathy Schultz’s spanking new biplane we knew why. “New, clean and beautifully built” are the operable words, but of course they only begin to convey the skill and dedication on display here.
Rick simply says he always wanted a Hatz since he was a kid building model airplanes with his dad. After retiring from a Navy and Air Guard career, and marrying Kathy who he promptly took to a welding forum at Sun and Fun on their honeymoon, Rick finally had the time devote to his biplane quest.
Working mainly in Sydney and later Carlisle, Ohio, Rick started at the beginning and just kept going until the Hatz was finished a busy decade later. When he didn’t have the needed skill he learned it, and when parts didn’t turn out to his satisfaction he built them again. “I made seven ailerons…”
Construction is conventional throughout and the only real deviation from the plans is the upper wing is mounted a touch higher for a saltier look. A modern concession perhaps is the headrest is fiberglass for GPS antenna functioning.
Rick chose a Verner 9S radial for its non-geared, low rpm rumble and ability to swing a long prop; the latter requirement easily met by the 84×55 Sensenich. The combination gives a 1200 fpm climb when flown solo and about 800 fpm two-up.
UPDATE: After we had all jetted home, we got word that Rick Schultz won the Grand Champion—Plans Built award for the this gorgeous Hatz Classic.
