Czech Man Builds Plane to Slash His Commute

When the daily drive to work wore him out, Frantisek Hadrava decided to construct a plane to significantly shorten his route, even if it was just a 15-minute drive each day. "If there's a better way to help me arrive earlier and skip the traffic, then why not?" he thought, rolled up his sleeves, and got to work.

The project involved an ultra-light aircraft, inspired by an American model called Mini-Max. Hadrava dedicated about two years and invested around $4,000 in building it. His plane features an open cockpit, and its engine is supported by three cylinders, enabling it to reach speeds of 90 mph.

His typical workday begins at six in the morning, and on his way, Hadrava flies over forests, mountains, and several populated areas. "That's why I created a bypass route," he explains, "to minimize disturbing people at such an early hour."

Frantisek Hadrava with the plane he built