Fisher Classic

The Classic is the FP-404's bigger brother from Fisher Flying Products.  Like the FP-404, the Classic is all wood and can be built from plans or a kit that you can buy all at once or as sub kits.  The build time is listed as 500 hours when building from their kit.  The kit isn't too much more expensive than the FP-404 and there are still some inexpensive engine options to get you in the air.

Also like the FP-404 you will need to watch the weight.  The empty weight of 400 pounds and the gross of 850 gives you plenty of useful load when flying solo, but if you build heavy it will restrict the size of you passenger.  The weights are already somewhat restricted as you are limited to a 200 pound pilot as well as passenger.

The cruise speed of 75 - 80 is a little higher than the FP-404 but it is still no speed demon.  Flying low and slow is where the Classic is happy, and if you build this biplane you and your passenger will be as well as you enjoy the open cockpit.  At gross weight the take off run is 200' and the landing roll is 300' so you don't need a long strip to enjoy this biplane.

While the classic won't be an option if you are larger, if you fit within it's pilot weight restriction you will have a fun build.  You'll also have a fun flying biplane that you'll be able to share with a friend and operate inexpensively for many years.