Finding an affordable aircraft that can handle the backcountry for $80K or less? A challenge for sure, but with the right knowledge and a shrewd approach, it can be done.
The PA-12 Super Cruiser, an evolution of the J-5, is often thought to be a stepping stone to the PA-18, but it possesses some beloved characteristics all its own.
The homebuilt Barrows Bearhawk is a 4-place conventional gear aircraft with a high lift wing and a design max load of 2,500 lbs, making it an ideal design basis for a bush plane.