Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

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EchoWhiskey
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Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by EchoWhiskey »

Does anyone have opinion or insight into the options available for the Superstol?

I'm sure some of this is preference however it seems to me an oil door is a no-brainer But what about things like a rear access door, rear windows, or even VG's?

And are the tanks all aluminum now? I've seen with my own eyes the result of debris left in tank from carbon fiber manufacturing process on a different plane. It was a bear to get it all out.
Ed Whitaker
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BDA
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by BDA »

Just my 2 cents
VGs are a must - but I bought my own
Delux interior weighs too much
Beringer brakes and wheels are awesome! But expensive!
Airfoil tail is a must
Rear bagage door- Yes - unless your arms are 3’ long
Tundra lite tail wheel - a must
Oil door - of course

First rule of STOL
If it doesnt add performance or utility - it weighs too much

The tanks are aluminum now
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
FredHoffman
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by FredHoffman »

What is the benefit of the airfoil tail ? I don't see any supercubs with the airfoil tail, but they all have a trimable stab. Without the whole stab having the ability to move I can't see any benefit except some slightly less drag at cruise when the elevator is mostly in line with the stab. But the tundra tires must wipe out any possible drag benefits of the stab airfoil. Does the airfoil stab improve elevator authority? I'd love to fly one with and without to see the difference.
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BDA
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by BDA »

Yes more authority
Tail wont stall - as easy
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
EchoWhiskey
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by EchoWhiskey »

Thanks BDA

bought your own from where might I ask? and for what reason?

Any pics of the airfoil tail?
Ed Whitaker
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BDA
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by BDA »

I bought the Stol speed VGs from Aircraft Spruce
Cause their salespitch was better
I like that they are removeable and flexible as I am not.

I have a picture of the factory airfoil stabilizer in my Oratex thread, I am modifying tho to be more like the ones Chris Wallen is makeing.

I can take specific pictures if you want.
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
EchoWhiskey
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by EchoWhiskey »

I see a lot of options for VG's on AS.

I'm really curious what the salesman said to convince you and which specific VG's you opted for?
This may be a stupid question but are you just modifying the factory tail?
Ed Whitaker
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BDA
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by BDA »

Yes, modify factory tail

Go to the Stolspeed website for the pitch.
All of the objective tests I have read say that there is very little noticable difference between different VGs (that are the same size and same placement)
But
There is a drag difference
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
dkshow
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by dkshow »

This is an excellent question for anyone considering a build. My thoughts.

1. Baggage door is a must. I've told people over and over how much I love mine. I would even consider building one without a baggage door.
2. If you can stomach the price on the Beringer wheels and brakes absolutely do it. My Matcos are ok but I've flown the Beringers and they are amazing.
3. VGs without question.
4. I've heard enough good things about the flying tail I'd probably go that way as well.

The single most important thing is to build one. I'm still in love with my airplane, one of the best decisions of my life so far.
Keith Showalter
More Photos at www.keithshowalter.com
Anchorage, Alaska Superstol N445K
Built in NC with Rob Pedersen, Plane Fun Aircraft
EchoWhiskey
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by EchoWhiskey »

Cool videos on the STOLSPEED website, so the plus is soft and flexible easily applied/removable. Got it.

Interesting info there on a thermostat mod for the 912. Interesting as I tried the tape over radiator method last year. Worked great until a warm day snuck up on me and I had a coolant overflow on a climbout. I'll never do that again!

I'd really like to get more info on the tail airfoil mod. Can someone point me in the right direction?

I'm going to look into the Beringer brakes....
Ed Whitaker
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SheepdogRD
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by SheepdogRD »

EchoWhiskey wrote:Interesting info there on a thermostat mod for the 912.
The Thermostasis seems to be the most commonly used thermostat. http://oilthermostats.com/aircraft/

It's available direct, or through Aircraft Spruce, or with your hoses if they're done by Aircraft Specialty (http://www.aircraftspecialty.com/kitpla ... hoses.html) or TSFlightlines (https://tsflightlines.com/).
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation

If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
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BDA
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by BDA »

For tail mod look up Chris Wallen Aircraft on Facebook

Or give me a call
907-394-9344
I plotted lifesize symetrical ribs in both NACA008 and 012, and made some aluminun “hammered” ribs, but Chris’ arched tubing ribs are much better.

The factory airfoil is very small on the top and large on the bottom, and not enough ribs in my opinion.
SuperStol XL Alaskan With Titan 340
N331AK. Shawn Taplin
Wing extensions,Symetrical Airfoil tail ribs (NACA 21)
Mods in progress: Heavier struts, Double slotted flaps
Goal: 15mph no wind
RAGS
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by RAGS »

Just curious what makes the Beringer brakes better? aren't they both double calipers? The Matco's look lighter. They are a lot more money. Just curious.
Thanks
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BucF16
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by BucF16 »

I've had the same thought. Steve Henry switched; But is the price worth it for us non-competitors?

Cheers,
Buc
Bruce Johnson Highlander # 393
"Because I fly, I envy no man on Earth"
Builder web site:
http://www.bruceshighlander.blogspot.com
Clark in AZ
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Re: Superstol Must Haves and Could do without

Post by Clark in AZ »

I opted for them on my build. Everyone I spoke with that has flown with them said they are much better than the Matcos. No specifics given other than greater stopping power. Maybe some that have them and can speak directly to the "betterness" of them, will chime in...

Clark
Building SuperSTOL Kit 512
Cave Creek, AZ
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