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First Super STOL Highlander in Alaska

5 Rivers

5 Rivers

Registered User
Wasilla, Alaska
I had a chance to test fly the first Just Aircraft Super STOL Highlander in Alaska yesterday. It is a impressive LSA. The automatic retractable slats worked flawlessly. They are different in operation than the SQ2 type slats, more similar in operation to a Helio. Very effective. Just as impressive is the Storch looking landing gear, it really soaks up the impact and ruff terrain. The tailwheel also uses a hydraulic shock instead of leaf springs. Every landing feels super smooth and ground handling is a ease. This particular SS Highlander has the new 100hp factory fuel injected 912 Rotax. It almost doesn't burn any fuel and possibly the smoothest running 4 cylinder engine I've flown. Just no vibration.
Troy did a outstanding job taking the Highlander to the next level.
Excuse the pic as I only had my iPhone with me.



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I don't remember the exact empty weight but it was in the upper 800 lb range.
I only had a chance to fly it less than 2 hours yesterday so I did not get specific fuel burn. But comparing what all I did in the Super STOL to a Rans S7 with the 912S it did burn less fuel. I will get better info from the owner as he gets time on the engine. It is definitely smooth running.
Frank Soltis is the owner and new Just Aircraft dealer based in Birchwood, Alaska.
Sure was fun to fly!!!!!
 
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Wow a Highlander dealer in Birchwood!! Been checking this plane out for a while now and would love to have more info on it. Hows the fuel injection work on it? Reliable? Been reading about the 912 for some reason I thought it was a 110hp motor. Any more info would be great! Thanks!
Greg
 
5 Rivers said:
I don't remember the exact empty weight but it was in the upper 800 lb range.
I only had a chance to fly it less than 2 hours yesterday so I did not get specific fuel burn. But comparing what all I did in the Super STOL to a Rans S7 with the 912S it did burn less fuel. I will get better info from the owner as he gets time on the engine. It is definitely smooth running.
Frank Soltis is the owner and new Just Aircraft dealer based in Birchwood, Alaska.
Sure was fun to fly!!!!!
Click to expand...

Anyone know how to contact Mr. Soltis?
 
Frank Soltis number is 907-382-1411. He's around the Birchwood airport most days. Frank is very knowledgeable about the SS Highlander.
His Super STOL has Matco brakes and they provided plenty of braking authority.
The 912is has a dual electronic fuel injection system. It was very responsive and provided great starts. No CARB is required. If I recall correctly, Rotax calms 15-20% less fuel burn than it's counter part 912s (carbs).
 
I'm interested in the airplane but with a 130 hp ULpower engine, EFI, direct drive, fadec http://www.ulpower.com/ I would also consider the rotax EFI or better yet maybe rotax will put EFI on the 914 turbo one thing about the rotax is you don't have to worry about shock cooling with the liquid cooled heads. Oh yea other thing http://www.ridefox.com/:lol: built the suspension units on that thing.:lol:
 
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No where in the UL site does it state at what rpm that 130 HP is made, I believe it's well over 3,000. That would limit you to a pretty short prop.
 
I'm interested in the airplane but with a 130 hp ULpower engine
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ndill, glad you posted----I see it is certified to use E15(15% ethanol fuel). Looks very interesting.
 
180Marty said:
ndill, glad you posted----I see it is certified to use E15(15% ethanol fuel). Looks very interesting.
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yes its nice to not have to worry about finding fuel if your going to run mogas. the 130hp weights the same as an o-200 about 170 lbs. And from what I've heard Just is working on a firewall forward package with UL power.
 
The UL Power site states 130 hp @ 3300 rpm (http://www.ulpower.com/engines/ul350iS/).

Steve Dentz was one of the first to run the UL350is on a Highlander. He went thru a few growing pains in the beginning but the last 200 hours have been trouble free (310 hours TT). You might try to PM him for more info at stede52 on this site. If no reply let me know and I'll ask him to post more info.
 
Thanks for posting this info, as my (near?) future is with an LSA. I looked very hard at the Carbon Cub, liked it and it's my choice so far. Now I'm continuing my LSA education by looking at other available options.
 
Another cool feature of the Super STOL Highlander is the folding wings like the original Highlander. So if you don't have a hanger or your hanger is tight on space during winter months you can fold the wings push it in a corner or in a garage and not worry about how much snow accumulation or how high the winds are blowing.
 
As Randy was saying, last 225hrs on my UL350 have been trouble free, with a flight to Oshkosh last year and numerous other trips around Washington, Idaho and Oregon I'm very happy with its performance. I'm running a 74in Catto prop which gives me good short field performance and a 100mph cruise and I'm happy with it. The 350iS weight is 174lbs ready to fly. The O200 light may start out at 170lb but according to the Continental rep I talked to it's flying weight is over 200lbs. When you start putting a 200+lb engine on a Highlander you are going to be adding tail weight. As much as I'd like to put a continental or lycoming on a Highlander, they are still too heavy for a Highlander.

Steve Dentz
 
I spent quite a bit of time in the ultralight area watching the Highlander fly. Impressive. I looked the airplanes over good and think they are a good alternative for those that want something other than a cub.
 
Bring that thang back to big Lake ! I watched you fllying the pattern today , I didn't know what it was , it chewed up some real estate on the runway for a while . My thoughts is it could use a few more ponies , but I'd like to give it a second chance at impressing me .
 
I've been watching it fly at Oshkosh this week.
I wish it would of came to the new Holstein stol contest, I think it would of won easily. Probably to the point of embarrassing the rest of us :oops:
 
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Yeah while stol contests are great for entertainment, ie low fuel and no baggage, there needs to be some full fuel plus moose side by side comparison. I too am intrigued by this plane, but history has proven the superior plane to be Cub Cub Cub.
 
skukum .................... call Frank Soltis at 907-382-1411 and he will be glad to show you his Super STOL. No problem seating big and tall pilots. STOL contest are great fun and entertaining. Usually the ones that do the best lite do the best with equal loads. You're right he Cub has been around the block a few times. I like um all, the old and new.

Dano ............... I'll see if Frank is up to flying back to Big Lake this week. This Super STOL has a IVO prop on it set for a cruise setting. If I had know you where there watching we would have done a more impressive takeoff. We could not make it bounce. When you land, you only get one landing, not 3 in one pass. As with ANY airplane it would be nice to have a few more ponies under the hood.

Fencer ............ I told Troy that they should fly over to New Holstein. Would have been fun for sure! I wish I could have been there this year also.

 
Another pic of Frank's Super STOL on the Knik River now that I know how to enlarge the pictures.
The engine was idling so prop looks funny with iPhone pic.



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Just passing on some info ............... Frank Soltis the new Just Aircraft Dealer in Alaska will have a booth at the Alaska State Fair with Super STOL Highlander info on hand. He will be next to the Honey Man.
 
5 Rivers said:
Just passing on some info ............... Frank Soltis the new Just Aircraft Dealer in Alaska will have a booth at the Alaska State Fair with Super STOL Highlander info on hand. He will be next to the Honey Man.
Click to expand...

Will the plane be there?
 
I really like the folding wing been watching this plane for a while now. Not too sure how much I kike the rotax but I need to read up more on it
 
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