Lets have an honest discussion about things that aren't great about these planes - So that we can make them better.
The Super Cub has continually evolved over the last 70 some years - I believe the SuperStol is better - or can be made to be better.
This is a list of things I didn't like, and what I did to fix them, Please jump in and add your own - or why you wouldn't do what I did. My plane isn't for everyone - I built it for one specific thing - 300' one way strip of tundra hummocks, with trees on one end and river on the other. So some of the things I have done make it not as good for other things (cruise speed for one).
Stock Super Stol dis-likes: (this is my list - yours may be different, post it up)
- Flat tail stall when slow - Fix - Symmetrical Airfoil tail - Gives more tail authority, flies tail higher in cruise - increases gross weight cap.
- Slow flight imbalance, or tendancy to fall off on one side or "wander" a little when super slow - Fix - Flap fences, these work 100% better.
- Angle of attack on final too high - Fix - VGs in the flap cove, changed my over the nose visibility by 10 mph, and better slow flight.
- Take off rotation speed much higher than touch down spd. - Fix -Increase angle of attack on the ground, I made 12" longer gear and shocks.
- Hard to get into/ door sucks. - Fix - Build split door and move upper hinge down below the wing so the door doesn't hit you in the forehead.
- Wing loading on the XL. - Fix - Wing extensions, should be stock on the heavier XL.
- Cruise speed. - Fix (kind of) - Extreme windshield and airfoil tail make a faster/ more fuel efficient plane, Until you put 35s on it anyway...
- Visibility. - Fix - Lexan boot cowl, and Floor boards.
Add your thoughts please - cant' hurt my feelings.
And lets do this for the Highlander too.
SuperStol Issues
- BDA
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 707
- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
- Location: Kenai Alaska
SuperStol Issues
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- danerazz
- Veteran Member
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- Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:33 pm
- Location: Bangor
Re: SuperStol Issues
Baggage door.
The baggage area is huge, and VERY deep. It is really hard to reach into the back to load/secure/unload stuff. Especially with bigger tires and/or longer gear. It really NEEDS a door in the side of the fuselage.
The baggage area is huge, and VERY deep. It is really hard to reach into the back to load/secure/unload stuff. Especially with bigger tires and/or longer gear. It really NEEDS a door in the side of the fuselage.
- BDA
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 707
- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
- Location: Kenai Alaska
Re: SuperStol Issues
Yes, baggage door should be on every plane, the question is how big?
I made the standard top half door for mine, but it is too small. If I ever have a reason, I will cut it all the way to the floor, then you could reach in there all the way.
I did add an extended baggage all the way to the tail for light stuff, with a second door back by the tail. I can put a 12' board inside the plane, not that I will, but it is nice for fishing poles and skis.
I made the standard top half door for mine, but it is too small. If I ever have a reason, I will cut it all the way to the floor, then you could reach in there all the way.
I did add an extended baggage all the way to the tail for light stuff, with a second door back by the tail. I can put a 12' board inside the plane, not that I will, but it is nice for fishing poles and skis.
- BDA
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 707
- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
- Location: Kenai Alaska
Re: SuperStol Issues
Some other items that could use attention, Anyone got fixes for these?
Titan cooling issues with our cowling/ plenum?
Oil cooling?
Running out of rudder when SUPER slow?
Rivets sheering in the "headrack"?
Titan cooling issues with our cowling/ plenum?
Oil cooling?
Running out of rudder when SUPER slow?
Rivets sheering in the "headrack"?
- marl59
- Seasoned Member
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:59 pm
- Location: Oakland, CA
Re: SuperStol Issues
Running out of rudder:
I have strakes on the ends of my horizontal stab and installed VGs on the vertical stab on my Highlander. I have good crisp rudder control all the way into the full flap stall. But, I don't have as much of an arm ( longer wings, big Titan etc.) to swing around with the rudder. You may have them so FWIW.
I have strakes on the ends of my horizontal stab and installed VGs on the vertical stab on my Highlander. I have good crisp rudder control all the way into the full flap stall. But, I don't have as much of an arm ( longer wings, big Titan etc.) to swing around with the rudder. You may have them so FWIW.
- marl59
- Seasoned Member
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:59 pm
- Location: Oakland, CA
Re: SuperStol Issues
BDA, Could you please post a clear picture of where you placed the VGs in your flap cove? With measurements fore/aft on a point? I have 3 friends with SuperSTOLS that aren't members of this forum,(or any forum) that I would like to share this with. Thanks in advance!
- SheepdogRD
- Proprietor
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- Location: West of Atlanta, GA
Re: SuperStol Issues
We'd sure appreciate it if you'd recommend the WingsForum to them.
Richard Holtz
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
Highlander N570L -- Ms. Tonka -- in gestation
If just enough is really good, then too much ought to be perfect.
- BDA
- Veteran Member
- Posts: 707
- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:25 am
- Location: Kenai Alaska
Re: SuperStol Issues
Yes, my comment on running out of rudder - I also have strakes and VGs everywhere, and longer wings, and airfoil horizontal and vertical tail. I only run out of rudder when well below 25 mph and VERY high AOA - like 45* +.marl59 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 10, 2023 11:27 pm Running out of rudder:
I have strakes on the ends of my horizontal stab and installed VGs on the vertical stab on my Highlander. I have good crisp rudder control all the way into the full flap stall. But, I don't have as much of an arm ( longer wings, big Titan etc.) to swing around with the rudder. You may have them so FWIW.
This is not really a "problem" per se, it is on the very extreme end of the flight envelope.
BUT - it IS the limiting factor for how slow I can fly. If I had more rudder I could go slower.
It may just be the tail is being "blanked" by the airframe at high AOA - but the effect is the same.
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