Retired tradie keeps father's dream alive by building his own plane

Len Neale, a retired tradesman from Biloela in central Queensland, is living a childhood dream by flying an aircraft he built himself. The 74-year-old, who spent his career working at power stations, now flies his home-built plane weekly.

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I've got this philosophy; if I build it, I test fly it, and a faint heart never won a fair maiden.

"I've got this philosophy; if I build it, I test fly it, and a faint heart never won a fair maiden," Neale said. "You take notice of the plan, you build it right, you balance it right, and that's very crucial." He is among thousands of enthusiasts in Australia with registered home-built planes.

Neale's passion was inspired by his father, who had always wanted to build a plane large enough to sit in and had even purchased Irish linen for the wings. However, family life and financial constraints prevented him from realizing this dream. After his father's death in 1989, Neale decided to honor his ambition, subsequently building and restoring two aircraft.

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You take notice of the plan, you build it right, you balance it right, and that's very crucial.

One of his projects was the "Spirit of Smoky Creek," an amateur-built J6 Karatoo with an Australian Jabiru engine. "She's been flying for over 10 years. I've got over 700 hours [flying in it] and it's a delight to fly," he said. While his fitter and turner trade provided metalworking skills, working with wood presented a challenge. He credits a deceased friend, Kev Wilson, who had Air Force experience, as a mentor who guided him through difficult parts of the build.

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She's been flying for over 10 years. I've got over 700 hours [flying in it] and it's a delight to fly.

Neale also dedicated time to restoring "Miss Sandgate," an Australian-built plane that had its test flight in 1936. Originally constructed by Vladimir Slyusarenko, a Russian immigrant, the plane was found in a shed by Neale's brother and friend. Neale's restoration efforts have helped preserve a piece of aviation history.

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My old friend Kev [Wilson, now deceased] that lived here, he would say, 'Len, I think you should do that bit again.'