Aviat Aircraft, manufacturer of sport and adventure aircraft, including Husky, Pitts and Eagle, has introduced a lightweight options package: STOL+.
The STOL+ package consists of Alaska Gear Company’s Aluminum Husky Lift Struts, ACME Aero’s Stinger Tailwheel, and the EarthX Lithium Battery.
The installation of the STOL+ package provides a +/-25 pound savings and is approved on all new and legacy Husky models, including A-1, A-1A, A-1B, A-1C-180 and A-1C-200, according to officials with the Afton, Wyoming-based company.
“We have answered the request of many longstanding Husky pilots concerned with saving weight while flying into the backcountry,” said Steve Anderson, president.
“This is a substantial achievement,” added Matt Hofeldt, vice president of brand. “A Husky pilot with a 2018 or later model can achieve a +/- 50 pound weight savings when the STOL+ package is installed and the rear seat is removed.”
Price: $16,513.
For more information: AviatAircraft.com
The local FSDO in Minneapolis wouldn’t allow me to install a Lithium EarthX battery in my certified single engine aircraft last year.(February 2023) Yet you can put one in a Hawker jet…once again the FAA is here to help, Not!
Any potential buyers of this option in Minnesota might want to check into the Feds latest opinion
on Lithium batteries.
EarthX only has STCs for a limited number of certified aircraft.
see; https://earthxbatteries.com/list-of-stcs/
The unit certified for my Cessna only has 15 AH capacity vs the 24 AH of the Concorde I use. It’s only 18 lb lighter, so if I leave 3 gallons of avgas out, I’m the same weight.!!!
[ no thanks !!]
Oh..!! and the EarthX STC battery is $500 more, plus the installation cost, than the RG25xc..!!!
That’s 83 gallons of avgas and 10+ hours of flying for me.!!!