DangerZone
Well-Known Member
It seems the recession has slowly caught up with certified aircraft manufacturers, many aren't doing too good lately. The famous Piper company seems to be laying off people, and their partnership with the Czech also went south. It could be due to some previous expensive jet-aircraft project investments or lack of business ideas, who knows. But what seems odd is that Piper is missing a substantial market that once saved Piper in the past, the light STOL aircraft market. The PA-18 Super Cub and similar lookalikes are still produced by many other companies, and it seems they are doing good.
Lately the most popular models discussed are the Kitfox STI and the Highlander SuperStol. Even though comparing them might not be exactly apples to apples, it seems this is what is currently in demand: many pilots want an airplane capable of taking off the front lawn and having a decent cruise speed. For those don't know about these aircraft, this is what they look like:
Kitfox STI
Highlander Superstol
Thus I was wondering why didn't (or doesn't) Piper take millions of dollars by simply building a good quality aircraft based on some old proven airframes? They have the tools, the workforce, the skills, and they haven't done anything to profit from this demand. With such tools/skills/workers and a clever redesign it would be possible to build an even better aircraft than both the STI or SuperStol and dominate the market. Some old Kitfoxes were made to cruise at 125kts and stall at 25kts even with big bush wheels if some aerodynamic changes are made, yet the performance of the mentioned aircraft is respectable but nothing to brag about. Even some old Piper Supercubs are sometimes made to perform better, take off shorter and cruise faster.
What am I missing from this perspective, from the other side of the Atlantic?
Lately the most popular models discussed are the Kitfox STI and the Highlander SuperStol. Even though comparing them might not be exactly apples to apples, it seems this is what is currently in demand: many pilots want an airplane capable of taking off the front lawn and having a decent cruise speed. For those don't know about these aircraft, this is what they look like:
Kitfox STI
Highlander Superstol
Thus I was wondering why didn't (or doesn't) Piper take millions of dollars by simply building a good quality aircraft based on some old proven airframes? They have the tools, the workforce, the skills, and they haven't done anything to profit from this demand. With such tools/skills/workers and a clever redesign it would be possible to build an even better aircraft than both the STI or SuperStol and dominate the market. Some old Kitfoxes were made to cruise at 125kts and stall at 25kts even with big bush wheels if some aerodynamic changes are made, yet the performance of the mentioned aircraft is respectable but nothing to brag about. Even some old Piper Supercubs are sometimes made to perform better, take off shorter and cruise faster.
What am I missing from this perspective, from the other side of the Atlantic?
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