airplane short takeoff/landing records

**owen moore** · Jan 24, 2019, 06:47 PM

If you look at the water, he could have been in a head wind of 30 mph or more. That would let a little plane almost hover. Kind of like a carrier landing except no carrier.

**ranald** · Jan 24, 2019, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by owen moore

If you look at the water, he could have been in a head wind of 30 mph or more. That would let a little plane almost hover. Kind of like a carrier landing except no carrier.

What about take off Owen? I'm not a pilot.

**Frank S** · Jan 24, 2019, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by owen moore

If you look at the water, he could have been in a head wind of 30 mph or more. That would let a little plane almost hover. Kind of like a carrier landing except no carrier.

The movement in the water is not from wind, if you watch closely you can tell it is current flow. the jetty he landed on is little more than a sand bar building up in the river.

**IAMSatisfied** · Jan 24, 2019, 09:45 PM

Here's a little context to the art of bush piloting skill:

**Clockguy** · Jan 24, 2019, 10:08 PM

You could literally land on a postage stamp with that plane!!

**toma** · Jan 25, 2019, 03:52 AM

I suppose that big front wheels are helium pumped...

**Ed Weldon** · Jan 27, 2019, 12:20 AM

This is an amazing performance for a fixed wing aircraft. I wonder what not so visible changes were made and what limitations the modifications place on other aspect of the plane's performance and reliability. Certainly some added weight there. Anybody have a link to more info? Ed W

**briankirk725** · Jan 27, 2019, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by Ed Weldon

This is an amazing performance for a fixed wing aircraft. I wonder what not so visible changes were made and what limitations the modifications place on other aspect of the plane's performance and reliability. Certainly some added weight there. Anybody have a link to more info? Ed W

There's a nice little summary here under the "Backcountry Super Cubs" section: KITPLANES The Independent Voice for Homebuilt Aviation - Super Cub Kit Comparison - KITPLANES Article

The big thing is the leading edge slot which brings the stall speed way down. Longer wing control surfaces are another (also to be able to control the plane at low speeds). Engine mods and using carbon fiber are other common changes. There's a balancing act to be sure. Add a bigger engine, then you might want to lower the weight elsewhere to compensate (less electronics, lighter seats, carbon fiber, etc). The supercubs.org forum is another resource to check out to get a lot of information/theory on all of that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leading-edge_slot

**briankirk725** · Jan 27, 2019, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by PJs

Thanks much for chiming in here. I'm just a novice with eyes for details and love STOL slow goers. I understand that there is a bunch of modding on these aircraft, but your links show or tell little of what SQ12 actually is in final form and I followed a bunch of other rabbit holes from them. Thanks for the links! The one in the first picture of the article under "Backcountry Super Cubs" is similar but the wing struts, elevator, gear and nose cowling seem quite different and can't see the full tail.

airplane short takeoff/landing records-cub-mackey.jpg

The Backcountry Boss has some features of the one in Jons post except a 4 seater, and has dual wing struts. Backcountry BOSS – Backcountry Super Cubs

The one in Jon's pic is definitely not a 4 seater, has a tail like a T-38 and the fuselage, wings and the engine cowling looks like the Lycoming version of the Kit Fox with the Alaskan 26-29" tire add-on. Only way to know for sure is if Jon could source the Gif/MP4 somehow and we could rabbit hole that.

I may be wrong and happy to admit it but mainly corn-fuselaged.

PJ

You're not kidding on eyes for details! Very impressed. The one in Jon's video is originally from their Instagram page. And totally right on not being a 4 seater (SQ4), it's the SQ12 (Piper 12 variant) which I don't think they do anymore (just do the regular width like a PA-18 and the 4 seater BOSS (Bushmaster/Super Pacer). Anyways here's the original with a bunch of other cool stuff on their page. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpXSiZdg...n_native_share

**PJs** · Jan 28, 2019, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by briankirk725

You're not kidding on eyes for details! Very impressed. The one in Jon's video is originally from their Instagram page. And totally right on not being a 4 seater (SQ4), it's the SQ12 (Piper 12 variant) which I don't think they do anymore (just do the regular width like a PA-18 and the 4 seater BOSS (Bushmaster/Super Pacer). Anyways here's the original with a bunch of other cool stuff on their page. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpXSiZdg...n_native_share

Oh My, that was Great Briankirk725! Quite the rabbit hole this morning and his instagram main page is a treasure trove of shots and posts...I loved one of the posts that said..."That doesn't look like a helicopter". LOL The shot of the Glacier fly by was stunning and my favorite.

Looks to me that the SQ12 has gone through many a iterations including the rudder designs. Continual tweaking, some minor, some more substantial, all in that mode of finding the right combo in a EAA cutting edge quest for perfection...but the flying of it and joy of the journey's and sights with the camaraderie of those cutting that edge is what it's about to me.

Found this interview with Wayne Mackey on the EAA site. Inspiration for those interested and in the spirit of HMT! Watch his expressions...worth the few minutes to learn a little of what goes on with STOL and experimental aircraft.

Valdez: Wayne Mackeyâ€™s Stolquest - News & Features - EAA Video

Briankirk725, welcome to HMT.

Looking forward to more of your posts, interests and builds. Most of all thanks for making my day and learning some new cool stuff, I enjoy learning about...but now I have Sooo many questions.

PJ