We Fly: Aviat Husky

Bushplane is serious fun, but it still demands respect.

Rick Durden

Tuesday, May 06, 2025 at 07:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Word got around about the Aviat Husky’s ability to get in and out short strips and its performance on floats. [Leonard Correa Luna]

Key Takeaways:

The Aviat Husky was conceived in the 1980s by Frank Christensen as a "better Super Cub" for utility backcountry flying, defying market skeptics.
The aircraft has undergone continuous evolution, including increased gross weights (A-1A, B, C models), advanced Garmin glass avionics (now 90% IFR-equipped), improved trim systems, and extended landing gear for enhanced stability.
The Husky A-1C-200 is celebrated for its superb STOL capabilities, robust construction, and comfortable interior, offering a "tremendously fun" and capable flying experience, though its tailwheel configuration requires precise pilot skill and ongoing training.

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Line up and stop. Confirm full flaps are selected and elevator trim is set. Hold the stick slightly forward of neutral. Slide the throttle from quiet to loud while holding the brakes. Confirm the gauges reflect full power and feel the airplane quiver in anticipation. Can an airplane feel excitement?

Probably not, but you sure can. Now, release the brakes and feel yourself pressed into the seat as you discover less right rudder is needed than you expect. The controls are immediately responsive, and before it even seems possible, the ground disappears as you surge upward.