Mon, Jul 23, 2012

Just Aircraft Unveils Their Super STOL Highlander Prototype

The Yet To Be Named Aircraft's Flight Debut Set For Monday At The AirVenture Ultralight Area

By Anthony Liberatore

Just Aircraft of Walhalla, SC, will demonstrate their latest variant of their popular Highlander Homebuilt aircraft in the Ultralight area at EAA's AirVenture on Monday. What makes this prototype different than it's brethren is it's STOL Wing and an Oleo Strut Landing Gear reminiscent of a Classic Fairchild 24 equipped with Tundra Tires. In it's current form, this prototype's wing includes a Ribblett Airfoil Section, Automatic Leading Edge Slats, Trailing Edge Fowler Flaps, and Frise Ailerons with a gap seal. Although it is currently equipped with a Spill Plate Type Wingtip, in the future Hoerner Wing Tips and Vortex Generators maybe added to enhance the low end and cruise performance envelop as well.

While detailed performance numbers were not discussed as this is still the aircraft in development, one of the stated goals is a legitimate cruising speed of 100 mph, in combination with breath-taking STOL performance. Other potential further changes to obtain their performance goals include drag reduction enhancements as well as an airfoil shaped horizontal tail section. The current powerplant is a Rotax 914, however as with any prototype aircraft that choice is subject to change

Troy Woordward of Just Aircraft the Highlander's designer (as well as designer of the modifications) noted that while the aircraft was completed and flown from their home base, it was a late minute decision to bring this particular bird to Oshkosh. Prior to bringing it, painting it was needed as the fabric surfaces were still a primer state, and the colors of black were chosen for the fuselage as well as white for the wings. Post the required fly off times Troy noted fellow local pilots taken for ride in the aircraft leave the aircraft with a grin that is hard to remove after experiencing it's performance capabilities.

Monday on aero-news.net, a report on the aircraft's flight debut and more on the business aspects of the Highlander enterprise.