Flying Runabout Experimental Design, FRED for short, is a simple, economical single-seat homebuilt aircraft designed, built and flown by Eric Clutton in 1963.

Eric and FRED are still flying today after moving from the UK to the USA some years ago. The original FRED has logged well over 2,000 hours of flight time to date. Several dozen FREDs have been built by others from Eric's plans and they are still a common sight at UK fly-ins.

Like many older homebuilts, FRED offers inexpensive, low-and-slow fun flying. Unlike most other light aircraft, FRED's short wingspan, folding wings, rugged landing gear and removable rudder and horizontal tail allow for easy towing home to the family garage for storage and maintenance. That feature alone can make the difference between flying and remaining grounded in these days of RAS (Receding Airport Syndrome) fueled by SCDP (Spontaneous Condominium Development Projects)!

FRED's de Havilland-style wood-and-fabric construction and mild steel fittings are a great choice for the first-time builder or one on a budget, while FRED's compact dimensions and two-piece wings are a perfect fit for a small workshop. While most FREDs are powered by air-cooled VW engine conversions, Eric's own FRED today wears a Continental A-65 and many other engine options are suitable.

Like many other older, plans-built designs, FRED is today overshadowed by flashier and far more expensive kit planes. That is especially true in the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category in the USA. That's too bad, because FRED (which easily meets LSA norms) still offers one of the most enjoyable and inexpensive ways to take to the air.

The purpose of this group, which could easily be called Friends of FRED (FOF), is to encourage and support FRED builders and owners and generally rally around this classic design. Please join us!

[FRED G-BGFF photo courtesy of Steve Rendle]