Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.
Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/149316
Courier, an airplane known for its prowess negotiating its way in and out of near postage stamp–size clearings. While imitation serves some as the finest form of flattery, the design delivered by Schmidt and Woodland goes beyond imitation into outright emulation. For the builder looking for the ultimate in backcountry performance, the SuperSTOL deserves a review. For pilots interested less in building and more in flying, Just Aircraft's principals are well along in earning special light-sport aircraft approval to sell a fly-away SuperSTOL. For the pilot interested in a solid-performing, all-around excellent flying machine, maybe the SuperSTOL's hangarmates could suffice. The Highlander, in particular, is no slouch in hauling, cruising, handling, and negotiating shorter-than-average strips. But if the ultimate in STOL performance appeals more than anything else, consider this: SuperSTOL doesn't imitate or emulate a STOL airplane; it redefines the field by showing how much less "ample" can be where "short" is the operative adjective. Fact is, Just's SuperSTOL challenges its inspiration in STOL performance, and of course, economy, top to bottom. Photography courtesy of Just Aircraft Just's SuperSTOL performance gives up little to the sturdy Helio; for example, in seating, the LSA is limited to two. But it's solid on total useful load. Aside from the greater seating capacity of the Helio Courier, the SuperSTOL does it all at a cost to purchase and fly assured to make most Helio Courier owners envious. In particular, the SuperSTOL's fuel burn, flying on 100 hp, could make a few Helio fliers a little green with envy. That reflects the difference between feeding gulps of gas to the Helio's various 540-inch Lycoming six cylinders and the comparative fuel sipping of the four-cylinder Rotax 912 powering the Just design. And this is just the briefest introduction to Just Aircraft's new SuperSTOL. Come along and fly; that's where this little bird makes its STOL genes abundantly clear. Dave Higdon, EAA 465009, is a Wichita, Kansas-based aviation writer/photographer and 5,000-hour pilot who started his career flying hang gliders and ultralights. EAA Experimenter 19