The aviation enthusiast has been building the plane from a kit he received last year.

In what would have been like a very confusing jigsaw puzzle, Mr Kulow received 620 pieces of aluminium and more than 1000 rivets to make the plane along with some “vague instructions,’ on how to put the plane together.

Mr Kulow said he had spent 12 hours a day on the project over seven days a week since November last year, which he said has been tiring.

“I have been wearing myself to a frazzle,” he said.

He said the project could be finished in a few weeks.

When asked if he had a passion for flying Mr Kulow said that was an understatement.

“Once it is finished I will be able to fly it to anyplace in the country even the Kimberlies.”

“It will be a very capable bush aircraft with a cross wind component of 26 knots, larger than most aircrafts.”

Mr Kulow said he almost bought a Jabiru but decided to go with the Italian Savannah.

“I had no choice but to build the plane and I knew it would be a pain and very tiring,” he said.

He said the aircraft would see him right for many years.

There could be other future projects of similar scales for Mr Kulow who said he might build a helicopter one day.

“I have always had an interest in helicopters,” he said.

Mr Kulow bought an Austrian Rotax aircraft engine that was four cylinders and four stroke with 100 horsepower.

The plane canfly in the air for about six hours but Mr Kulow is not taking any chances when it comes to safety. “Before I can fly it the plane will have to be inspected for safety reasons,” he said.

Mr Kulow said he was looking forward to flying his masterpiece in the air for the first time and would like the plane to be based at the Port Pirie aerodrome.

“The Port Pirie aerodrome has good facilities as well as three runways which makes things much easier,” he said.

Mr Kulow said it would be a relief once it was finished and that he had imported a few “special instruments” to add to his aircraft.

“It has been a very satisfying project,” he said.

PHOTO: BIG PROJECT…

Wirrabara resident and engineer Mick Kulow has been building his own plane from a kit he received last year. Mr Kulow has worked on the project 12 hours a day, seven days a week since November and is nearing completion of the aircraft which features an Austrian Rotax engine.