I really like this new project and would like to share some comments.I was present even at some test flights and it is ridiculous how the plane can manage ultra-slow speeds.Never seen something similar. I wanted to buy a Super Stol in the next future but now no change sorry (Super Stol in kit complete of everything costs here almost the same as a Shock Cub ready to fly and needs 1000 hours to be putted togheter ). I fly with a Savage Cub in Europe as many other hundreds of customers here and the reputation seems pretty good (not 100% good since they are always always always late in the delivery!! ) and from what I know, Zlin alone sold around the world more Savage than Legend Cub, Cub Crafter, Rans registered LSA putted all togheter... This plane , is completely new, new airfoil, new wings, (much much stronger),new super efficient flap system (have you noticed it?), new stronger fuselage, and reading details on their webpages, all the tricks used by the real "bush planes" and TOP pilots have been introduced this time. For sure for someone, not only in this Forum, this is not an innovative design but I would ask myself, are Carbon Cub, Legend Cub, Super Stol, Rans design a copy of something else or an innovative design ?I see some "small similarities" for example between a Legend Cub/Cub Crafter and and a real, old, mythic SC do you?;-) How many American copies of SCub are there then? I remember at least 6/7 names...
There was, years ago an experimental American white Maule for example, using the shock absorbers for first (you can find pics in this Forum) , well before that Super Stol introduced them 3 years ago . So who copied whom in this Stol community?I think that Zlin was off course inspired by the Super Stol landing gear as Glacier Cub (Breeden Cub ) too right? in Aviation everyone copy the others and the problem is not to copy or not someone else, but to "do it better" if you copy or if you inspire yourself, this is the only way to get progress from one formula, adding own ideas, concepts and mix them togheter.....and sorry but really this time this product is not comparable with any any Rans S/7 around or even with my now old, Savage Cub .It is simply placed in another league! So I don't blame the company too much and still I am sure this is quite an innovative product.At the end the problem is not to know who invented the wheel but to find the product that fits with our own desires right?Probably Filser Storch was the first plane to introduce some Stol, really "Stol" concepts so the credits should go ALL there for all the planes mentioned here...and many American Companies today, should thank Piper (still American) to have invented the Cub ..Is this perhaps not true? I know this is not an American product and so nothing (for you) to be proud, but sure is not rubbish or a bad plane. From my point of view, knowing the company and their approach to this nich market, you will read a lot in the future about the new "Shock" since actually before that Rans or someone else will copy them this time, this is unique in the market and has not any competitor in the real Hyper Stol performances arena since this is tandem seating, Cub alike design, that can land in less than 15 mt with no wind (I have seen with my eyes) and many of the potential customers here will never buy a side by side plane "kit" for the same price tag (Super Stol offers only kits right?)...At least here and in many other Areas of the world this will work,since I am sure they sold many many Shock in the last month.Probably not in USA but I don't think they based their marketing and production plans only thinking to USA and world is big enough..Just my 2 cents of course.
I will order mine as soon as I will find the funds and am super happy for this arrival in the market..and rumors says that Alaska will see this plane soon..and sorry if I putted down my opinions but this time after almost 10 years I read all you, it was really impossible not to write something.