The Legend Cub is built closely along the lines of the original Piper Cub with modern materials, engines and instruments. The aircraft is a
high-wing,
tandem seat monoplane with
conventional landing gear. The
fuselage is constructed with welded steel tubing with
doped Superflite
aircraft fabric.[2]
In April 2015 the Super Legend design was further developed with the addition of a greater number of carbon fibre components, including doors, floorboards, the
propeller spinner and the wingtip bows. Avionic upgrades include
Garmin G3X avionics and a FreeFlight Systems 1201 WAAS GPS sensor, Trig Mode S and 1090ES ADS-B Out
transponder.[3]
Variants
Diesel Engine
In July 2015, American Legend Aircraft and Superior Air Parts (makers of the Gemini engine) announced that the 100-horsepower Gemini turbo-charged diesel engine would be available in 2016 as an option throughout the American Legend product line. The engine burns widely available Jet A and/or diesel fuel; an important consideration as normal aviation 100LL gasoline is expensive or unavailable in many remote areas. Power, price and weight are said to be comparable to the existing
Continental O-200 avgas engine, but with a 20% lower fuel burn.[4][5]
AL11C-100
Designed to resemble a
Piper PA-11 Cub Special with an enclosed cowling.
AL3C-100
Designed to resemble a
Piper J-3 Cub with cylinders exposed through the cowling.
Lycoming IO-233 powered variant designed to resemble a
Piper PA-18 Super Cub.[6] Kevlar and carbon fiber floats certified for aircraft in 2015.[7] 2015 Super Legend re-engined with Lycoming YO-233 115hp variant accepting 100LL AvGas and Automotive Fuel.[8]
MOAC
The Mother of all Cubs model is a modification of the AL18 for back country flying and off-airport operations, with shock absorbing landing gear and a
Continental Titan O-340 engine of 180 hp (134 kW). Introduced in July 2020, it features large flaps that deploy to 40°,
leading-edge slats and square wingtips all intended to improve low-speed handling. The variant is available as a
light-sport aircraft or
homebuilt aircraft kit.[9]