Sold off the Kitfox last weekend and next will be the 172, and then probably the RANS S-7 along with the unfinished Murphy Rebel kit/projects l have filling my hangars. It's been a decision a long time in the making. A nasty fall in October of last year had me using a cane and walker for the better part of two months. It kept me out of the flying game and working on projects for nearly a year. Being immobile and not able to do much, gave me a lot of time to think and realize I am not getting any younger nor able to have the work stamina of a younger me.

Which brings me to my question. I have been looking at a few different options. Of course I would like to find a nice flying Murphy Rebel that is LSA, but they are very rare. The other planes on my list are the RANS S-20, Kitfox, and the Legend. Having tinkered with the Rotax, I am not averse to owning another since they are very efficient. But the old guy part of me still prefers a Lyc. or Cont. I am definitely leaning more towards the Legend as I have always liked the 'cub' types and have looked at them since they first came out.
Any owners of Legend Cubs on here. Care to spew your comments to the masses?

Thanks!

Keith, not an answer but a question, what plane will be the easiest for you to get in/out of and sit in for a reasonable amount of time? In reality the answer to that question may be one of the most important ones in choosing your next plane, as well as for more of us as we age and our bodies tell us we are not 20 year old kids anymore. I have always found a Cub to be a challenge to get in and out of, that is one thing I don't miss about owning one anymore....but like the rest of it. Any thoughts?

Steve

Underwood Aerial Patrol had a fixed gear 180 HP Cardinal. I didn't like controllable prop, larger cowl, and extra speed for patrol work but it was very comfortable and easy to get into and out of.

I think 100 HP Continental is a good match for the Cub, Legend or otherwise.

steve wrote:Keith, not an answer but a question, what plane will be the easiest for you to get in/out of and sit in for a reasonable amount of time? In reality the answer to that question may be one of the most important ones in choosing your next plane, as well as for more of us as we age and our bodies tell us we are not 20 year old kids anymore. I have always found a Cub to be a challenge to get in and out of, that is one thing I don't miss about owning one anymore....but like the rest of it. Any thoughts?

Steve

Hello Steve! How have you been?
Your comments are spot on! It is actually one of the reason I had sold the Champ. The seating position was not what I would call comfortable for any long distance flights. I ended up cutting up some hard foam and re configuring the seat a bit to help, but it was never what I would call comfortable. I went to look at a nice 90 HP 7CCM a couple of weeks ago. As soon as I sat in it, I remembered how terrible the seat comfort was. Saying that, I really liked the way my Champ flew and it overall cockpit size. Definitely roomier than a Cub! Of course the New Legend Cubs are 3" wider so maybe they would compare similarly to the Champs feel.

When I went to Oshkosh this past summer, I sat in several different planes for the main reason to see how comfortable the seating position would be. The Legend Cubs are much better than the old Piper cub/SC types. Getting in and out was still the same. I am trying to find a Legend nearby to revisit the seating comfort as I tried so many different aircraft I can't remember them all. I do remember the most comfortable one though, a Bristell TDO. Unfortunately it is a low wing plane which is not what I want. I think I could have flown all day in it without much issue. The Murphy Radical was very nice also, unfortunately not LSA nor is it available as a ready to fly plane just yet. Very roomy and good seating. The RANS S20 and Kitfox SS7 were both fairly comfortable.

Contact,
Appreciate the thoughts on a Cardinal but I will be flying under Sport Pilot. Heck, if not I would just keep my old 172. Owned it for over 30 years and it has been a great plane.

Sorry to hear about your woes WW. Hope you are able to work it out so you can keep flying.

No doubt you've looked into Basic Med and keeping the 172, what about getting some commercial build assistance and finishing the Rebel?

Have a no electrics 85 HP J-3 for the past 25 years....Can't beat a Cub...

We bought a new 2016 Super Legend in January 2016. O-233, 115 HP. Picked it up at the factory and flew it home to Central Calif. Absolutely no squaks in 135 hours. The workmanship is impressive. This is my first Cub but my wife has owned both J-3 and a Supercub. She says it feels much more like the J-3. I find it delightful to fly. After 17 years in my 180, I find myself tending to over control the Cub. Going back and forth between the two I have to remind myself which one I’m in. It comes off very quickly and lands slower than walking speed. Can you tell I love this little Airplane? My 2 cents. Dave

Thanks Dave! Sounds like you are quite happy with it. I'm still in research mode until I can get the 172 and RANS S7 sold, but so far the Legend is at the very top of my list. The Super Legend and Super Legend HP are the two that hold my top spots. Have you flown the HP model?

I have inquired about a CC or two also, but for personal reason I am hesitant to go that route. I spoke with a dealer yesterday about the two (CC vs. Legend) and he says the Super Legend is very nose heavy. Much braking on landing can make the Legend go up on its nose quite easily. Not having flown either one, I chalk it up to salesman talk. Every Legend owner I have spoken to has nothing but high regard for their plane.

I have been trying to find any Legend owners up in my area and talked to a guy yesterday that has one with the Jabiru engine. He is very happy with it and it's performance. Mentioned he initially had some cooling issues but has since fixed it. Loves the power with the only complaint being the engine is very cold blooded. Once warm though, he mentioned it hasn't missed a beat.
I will be headed down to the SW again this winter and I will be going to the Legend factory. All this might be a waste of time and the wife will make the final decision for a side by side. LOL Heck, she might convince me to get another RANS, as the S-20 is on my list also, albeit, down the list a ways. Sure would save a lot of money...to be used for fuel!

If you do check out a Legend Cub other than the 180hp version I would love to hear a comparison between it and your S7.

I fly a J3ish Cub with 100ish horsepower but am always curious about the S7....

motosix wrote:If you do check out a Legend Cub other than the 180hp version I would love to hear a comparison between it and your S7.

I fly a J3ish Cub with 100ish horsepower but am always curious about the S7....

Same here. Would love to here how any of them compare to the S7.

Will definitely try and give a report on the Legend if that is what I end up with.

The S7 is a blast to fly, very responsive and economical. It's my little rocket ship! Be advised that my S7 is a 1997 short tailed version. The early S7's are a little sportier than the newer version (from what I am told by guys that have flown both) which was lengthened by 18" I believe. .My only complaint with the S7, which is minor, is the very light wing loading. It's not a bad thing, just not fun for me to fly when the turbulence picks up or the winds are nasty. I have flown it in some pretty gusty winds and it isn't that the plane won't handle it, I'm just to the point in my flying that I don't care to deal with the rough flights if I don't have to. One of the reasons for wanting a different plane is, I would like a little heavier wing loading that will absorb the bumps a bit better.
Another reason is the fact that my wife does not care to ride in it for the same reason. She loved the Champ I had, since it was a much smoother riding plane. She would prefer I get a side by side but ok'd the Legend (if I go that route) so I need to do something before he changes her mind. Women have a way of doing that! LOL

I got my Tailwheel endorsement in a legend cub. One of the green ones! I thought it was a great, well built airplane. Would love to have one. Only thing was I thought the stick and throttle were too far aft.


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WWhunter wrote:Will definitely try and give a report on the Legend if that is what I end up with.

The S7 is a blast to fly, very responsive and economical. It's my little rocket ship! Be advised that my S7 is a 1997 short tailed version. The early S7's are a little sportier than the newer version (from what I am told by guys that have flown both) which was lengthened by 18" I believe. .My only complaint with the S7, which is minor, is the very light wing loading. It's not a bad thing, just not fun for me to fly when the turbulence picks up or the winds are nasty. I have flown it in some pretty gusty winds and it isn't that the plane won't handle it, I'm just to the point in my flying that I don't care to deal with the rough flights if I don't have to. One of the reasons for wanting a different plane is, I would like a little heavier wing loading that will absorb the bumps a bit better.
Another reason is the fact that my wife does not care to ride in it for the same reason. She loved the Champ I had, since it was a much smoother riding plane. She would prefer I get a side by side but ok'd the Legend (if I go that route) so I need to do something before he changes her mind. Women have a way of doing that! LOL

Sounds like you need an S20 with the new metal wing

[quote=
Sounds like you need an S20 with the new metal wing [/quote]

I am going to try and divert to Hayes, KANSAS on my way to New Mexico in a few weeks to look at the S20. I am still leaning towards a traditional engine but am on the fence yet. I do like to lower fuel burn and ability to use mogas, but the mogas advantage is not good was I leave me local flying area.

I think RANS may have a firewall forward kit for the Lyc O-233. I know they offer it on the factory built birds but it costs more.