In a recent post, I mentioned the exceptional descent performance of the Pilatus Porter. One could say a lot on the Porter’s performances, but it’s not the sole aircraft with outstanding characteristics.
I had the chance to fly a couple of times as passenger in a PA18 SuperCub. This improved version of the Cub is not flying exactly fast, but its take-off and climb performance are… well… unusual.
This video has been taken while taking-off from Geneva runway 05 grass. The displaced threshold (marked with inverted V and a bar across the runway) is 180 meters from runway begin.
Using the same runway with a Cessna 172 or a Saratoga make the trees look impressively close on initial climb. But with the SuperCub one harly notices trees in the axis ! The rest of the climb is also rather impressive. This plane is also able to make rapid descents in side-slips, and is fitted with skis for glacier landings.It time and money allows for, a tail-wheel training could be the next on my list…
UPDATE (24-05-08): This is now an higher resolution of the same video, hosted by revver.com.
Vincent Lambercy is a Swiss private pilot now living in Germany. He holds a private pilot certificate with single-engine, multi-engine and instrument ratings and has logged more than 430 hours of flight.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I like this one: http://youtube.com/watch?v=dAx8BT6vcBw
Jason, I like it as well… probably strong wind.
Amazing. One minute from take-off and you still haven’t reached the end of the main runway.
The plane is not quick, and the main runway is looooong, as you can see on this video: http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/2007/07/20/touch-and-go-on-geneva-main-runway/
180 metres seems a little long. Is this a 135, 150, or 180?
How high is the airport? I usually reckon between 100 and 150 metres depending on weight for no wind, not using short field technique, with a 150 cub
Barbara, it’s a 180, with two on board and full fuel. The airport is at 1500 feet. The 180 meters was a bit “generous” measurement. The skis were not on the plane on this flight, so they are not a factor.