Month: November 2017

The 2017 Texas STOL Roundup was held at South Texas Regional Airport in Hondo. The former Hondo Army Airfield operated by Army Air Corps in 1942, is now a large public use airport with runways as long as 6000 feet. Much of the expanse was used for spectators and aircraft parking while the Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) events required as little as the width of the main runway.

A newly completed Super Legend XP, piloted by its owner Joe Edwards, aced the obstacle competition taking first place by significant margin. Participating in the LSA/Experimental class, Edwards used 158.1 feet for takeoff and 530.7 feet in landing (including a displaced threshold of 300 feet) over an obstacle of 25-foot inflatable pylons. His landing performance was the best recorded score in all experimental and bush classes. Edwards’ combined score (takeoff + landing total distances) was significantly shorter, by 110 feet, than that of the closest competitor and best overall among all competing aircraft.

A second Super Legend HP, piloted by Scot Warren of Warren Aircraft, finished a close second in the traditional heat involving a straight in, low-and-slow approach to landing beyond a line and dissipating energy as quickly as possible. Takeoff performance in the Super Legend HP is effectuated by a 180 horsepower Titan engine. The aircraft has an outstanding power-to-weight ratio as it is manufactured to the LSA maximum weight of 1320 lbs.

The Super Legend XP is a performance enhanced version of the Legend Cub. Its features include square wing tips, extended flaps and ailerons, 40-gallons-usable fuel tanks, an extended forward landing gear, Acme Aero Shocks, and enhanced baggage areas. The wing modifications produce outstanding slow speed characteristics, higher top speed, and greater control authority. The extra fuel capacity allows for longer roundtrip/backcountry flights without a fuel stop. With its extended landing gear, three inches forward and three inches higher, the Super Legend assumes an increased angle of attack. Acme Aero Shocks, tundra tires and a dynamic coil spring tailwheel manage shock absorption on taxi and landing.

According Edwards, “The XP is the best of all worlds. It cruises more comfortably and it performs short takeoffs and landings with the best them. My XP stalls at 8 MPH less, at approximately 25 MPH, with its longer flaps.” Well-known performance pilots who have embraced the Legend Cub include Bruce Bohannon, Frank Knapp, and Greg Koontz.

Watch the Super Legend STOL Performance Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuohS1u47Ks

The Super Legend is a true 2-place aircraft that uses time-honored construction methods with widely available support. American Legend Aircraft Company continues to be one of the most successful manufacturers of sport aircraft and is renowned for building aircraft that are sensibly modern, competitively priced, and built to last.

Insulated aircraft covers from Bruce’s are manufactured using 3M Thinsulate, a widely recognized winter insulating material. Made of synthetic fibers, Thinsulate is a thin and lightweight filler material that works to trap internal heat. Thinsulate gives Bruce’s aircraft covers their unique insulating ability and works even under damp conditions allowing potentially corrosive moisture to escape.

The shell of Bruce’s insulated covers is constructed using WeatherMAX LT fabric to protect from the elements and give a quality, long lasting appearance. Designed to be watertight yet breathable, WeatherMAX fabrics are also mildew resistant and washable.

Bruce’s covers are lightweight, transportable, and easy-to-handle. Properly fitted to each customer’s application, insulated engine/cowling covers cinch around, or behind, the spinner and cover the entire engine cowl area including air inlets and exhaust pipes. To ensure accessibility, covers include custom flaps for oil filler doors, cable outlets, and more to simplify access to internal components. Customization can be done in many ways, including the accommodation of preheater systems.

Bruce’s insulated covers are an optimum solution for wintertime aircraft operations. One example is Sikorsky Helicopter where their cover’s effectiveness proved greater than expected while testing a preheat system. “The idea was to expose the QCA (quick-change assembly) with the cover on for a full 24-hour period. In other words, we wanted to get the temperatures down to -40°F and cold soak it for a full 24 hours prior to starting the warm-up testing. However, the cover was so good that in four days not all the components on the QCA reached -40°F. It was eventually decided that not every component had to reach this temperature, and on the middle of the fourth day we started the preheat procedure. In an hour, all the components reached above the required -25°F, which would enable flight,” stated a ground support equipment engineer with Sikorsky. He continued, “The cover was extremely effective, and it’s easy to install, even for one person. The access panels for the heater duct hook-ups are great. The cover really proved to be a great asset, and it was a pleasure working with Bruce’s.”

Insulated engine covers from Bruce’s are designed to wrap around an aircraft’s cowling, sealing it from heat loss and benefitting aircraft operators in three ways. After an aircraft is flown, a warm engine can maintain its heated state for longer periods with an insulated cover allowing for improved re-starts in cold environs. Second, an insulated cover from Bruce’s significantly increases the efficiency and effectiveness of engine preheat systems. Thirdly, an insulated cover can help preserve an engine during prolonged storage. Protecting an aircraft engine from cold start wear and tear with a Bruce’s Custom Cover will ensure that engine components reach their maximum potential.

Bruce’s Custom Covers is the original designer and manufacturer of the world’s finest protective aircraft covering systems for airplanes, jets, helicopters, gliders, QEC off-link jet engines and ground service equipment. Bruce’s uses state-of-the-art materials and methodologies to ensure durability, quality and finish. Bruce’s Custom Covers is committed to advancing the science and art of cover design to meet the demands and expectations of customers worldwide.