The open-cockpit A50 Junior SLSA crafted of corrugated metal gained FAA acceptance in February—and the throwback to the golden age of flight made its grand entrance at the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, on Monday.
Junkers Aircraft—now the parent company to the WACO marque as well—hosted the event at its WACO Kitchen at the Sheltair FBO at the Lakeland Linder International Airport on the afternoon prior to the official opening of the show on March 28.
A Throwback and Leap Forward
Taking the 1929 design from Hugo junkers and updating it to the modern era, Junkers Aircraft has begun manufacturing the two-seat, low-wing, aluminum-skinned sport airplane at its U.S. facility in Michigan. The original 80 hp Armstrong-Siddeley Genet radial engine has been swapped out for the 100 hp Rotax 912iS with a two-blade, ground adjustable MT propeller. In the rear cockpit—from which the airplane is flown when solo—the Garmin G3X with a 10.6-inch display provides aircraft control and navigational power, with a companion 7-inch G3X display up front.
Other safety improvements over the traditional design include a Beringer braking system and a Galaxy ballistic recovery parachute. The airplane already came in under SLSA parameters with a max takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds and suitability to the training environment.
The first 29 aircraft are offered at 179,000 euros or about $193,500 at today’s exchange rate. Look for an upcoming We Fly pilot report in the pages of FLYING.
Junkers A50 Junior Specs
Price: 179,000 euros (roughly $193,500)
Engine: Rotax 912iS, 100 hp, fuel-injected
Propeller: two-blade MT, ground adjustable
Recovery System: Galaxy GRS 600 airframe parachute
Seats: 1 + 1 (solo from the rear)
Day VFR Only
Wingspan: 32 feet, 4 inches
Length: 24 feet, 4 inches
Height: 9 feet, 6 inches
Max Takeoff Weight: 1,320 pounds
Empty Weight: 840 pounds
Useful Load: 480 pounds / 310 pounds with full fuel
Fuel Capacity: 27 gallons
Fuel Consumption: 4 gph at best economy
Range: 680 nm
Cruise Speed: 75 knots
Stall Speed: 46 knots
Max Crosswind Component: 15 knots
Takeoff Distance, Over 50-ft. Obstacle: 984 feet
Landing Distance, Over 50-ft. Obstacle: 1,355 feet
