I traded my PA-14 (and cash) for a new Super Legend Cub on Friday Sept. 26. On Saturday, I flew it from Fort Worth to Santa Fe (with a stop at Pierce Aero in Graham). I met my Dad in Santa Fe. He was flying a 1978 150 hp PA-18 with McCauly prop (I don’t know the pitch).
On Sunday, we flew from Santa Fe to Ruidoso, NM, to Marfa, Tx, and then to Cibalo Creek. We flew home to Fort Worth on Monday.
I wanted to relay my thoughts on the Super Legend after just under 20 hours in 4 days. First off, the airplane flew great. We opted for the simpler panel with a Garmin 796 (instead of the Garmin 3X). Our setup far exceeded my expectations; I was really impressed with its capability.
The Super Legend comes with a 115 hp YO-233. Ours has a Catto climb prop. The Super Legend seemed to get off at least as short as Dad’s PA-18, and seemed to land shorter. Even out of Ruidoso (6,800 ft. msl), the Super Legend had plenty of performance. It consistently out climbed the -18, even as high as 9,000 ft. For comparisons sake-we were both flying by ourselves (210 lbs for me, 225 lbs for Dad) with full fuel and about 25 to 30 pounds of baggage.
In cruise, the PA-18 was a few knots faster than the Super Legend. The Super Legend seems to be about 10-15 knots slower than my PA-14.
I avoided slow flight and touch and goes because I am breaking in the engine. I am looking forward to spending some time in the pattern.
I have not flown a Carbon Cub, so I can’t make a comparison. I think a comparably equipped Carbon Cub would be at least $30k more.
So far, I am really pleased with the Super Legend. It performs much better than I expected it to with 115 hp.
I will try to post pictures if I can figure it out.
Ed
On Sunday, we flew from Santa Fe to Ruidoso, NM, to Marfa, Tx, and then to Cibalo Creek. We flew home to Fort Worth on Monday.
I wanted to relay my thoughts on the Super Legend after just under 20 hours in 4 days. First off, the airplane flew great. We opted for the simpler panel with a Garmin 796 (instead of the Garmin 3X). Our setup far exceeded my expectations; I was really impressed with its capability.
The Super Legend comes with a 115 hp YO-233. Ours has a Catto climb prop. The Super Legend seemed to get off at least as short as Dad’s PA-18, and seemed to land shorter. Even out of Ruidoso (6,800 ft. msl), the Super Legend had plenty of performance. It consistently out climbed the -18, even as high as 9,000 ft. For comparisons sake-we were both flying by ourselves (210 lbs for me, 225 lbs for Dad) with full fuel and about 25 to 30 pounds of baggage.
In cruise, the PA-18 was a few knots faster than the Super Legend. The Super Legend seems to be about 10-15 knots slower than my PA-14.
I avoided slow flight and touch and goes because I am breaking in the engine. I am looking forward to spending some time in the pattern.
I have not flown a Carbon Cub, so I can’t make a comparison. I think a comparably equipped Carbon Cub would be at least $30k more.
So far, I am really pleased with the Super Legend. It performs much better than I expected it to with 115 hp.
I will try to post pictures if I can figure it out.
Ed
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