Miles Aircraft Hawk Major

Single Piston

The Miles Hawk Major represents a golden age of British light aviation, designed by Frederick Miles in 1934 as an elegant three-seat touring aircraft for the private owner-pilot. Built at Phillips & Powis Aircraft (later Miles Aircraft) in Woodley, the Hawk Major combined docile handling with respectable cross-country performance, powered by a 130-horsepower de Havilland Gipsy Major inline engine that gave it a cruise speed around 120 knots and a range exceeding 400 nautical miles. With its distinctive tapered wings, streamlined fuselage, and fixed tailwheel undercarriage, the type became a favourite among well-heeled British aviators in the years leading up to World War II, offering genuine touring capability at a time when most light aircraft were barely capable of leaving the circuit. Only around two dozen Hawk Majors were built before production shifted to military trainers, and fewer still survive today, making any airworthy example a rare glimpse into pre-war British aeronautical craftsmanship. The type's gentle stall characteristics and forgiving nature made it popular with flying clubs, though its relatively high landing speed for the era demanded a competent hand on the stick. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes, operators, and routes.