Here we go again… in a great way, I hope. Returning to our Top 50 Video series, we come to Just Aircraft and their jaw-dropping SuperSTOL. At airshows in recent years, lots of pilots spoke with excitement about STOL competitions. Just’s SuperSTOL was often part of the conversation. Videos highlighted in our Top 50 series are the most popular 50 selections from a library of about 1,000 videos appearing on Dave Loveman’s Light Sport and Ultralight Flyer YouTube channel. They represent the “Best of Dave & Dan” videos as determined by your views. Just Aircraft has a long history of building close to 1,000 aircraft, the company said in early 2024. A large share of these, around 800, were SuperSTOL kits. The lines are a bit indistinct because SuperSTOL is at heart a Highlander kit hopped up on steroids (or the airplane equivalent). These days, Highlander remains a good seller for Walhalla, South Carolina-based Just Aircraft, said main man Gary Schmitt on a recent phone call.
Top 50: Just Aircraft Escapade > Highlander > SuperSTOL and More…
SuperSTOL performs its STOL magic for Wayne Whitley's camera. In the right hands, SuperSTOL's launch roll is absurdly brief.
Just Aircraft is… Anything but "Just"
The company name sounds unassuming — "Aw, they're just aircraft…" — and the Walhalla team is indeed laid back as is common in their part of the U.S. However, they may be closer to a duck… all calm and relaxed-looking on the surface — while paddling vigorously under the water.Escapade pictured in 2004.
After Just Aircraft located in South Carolina, Highlander was reintroduced in 2011.
Steve Henry's highly-modified Highlander previously fitted with only 300 horsepower. For 2024, he has reportedly upgraded to 400 horsepower.
SuperSTOL's lanky gear legs are a giveaway on this dramatically-painted aircraft.
SuperSTOL's long gear fully extended. —image by by Jean-Marie Urlacher
On approach to landing at Just Aircraft's factory runway. As the slope is fairly steep you always land uphill and takeoff downhill.
ARTICLE LINKS:
- Just Aircraft — All contact info and all Just Aircraft content, on this website
- 2024 Kit prices for Escapade (base: $31,900)
- 2024 Kit prices for Highlander (base $37,890)
- 2024 Kit prices for SuperSTOL (base $47,985)
- 2024 Kit prices for SuperSTOL XL (base $50,975)
Deliveries were approximately 26 months out at posting; contact Just Aircraft for a precise quote.