Bellanca 7gcbc Citabria

Single Piston· 478 globally registered

The Aviat Husky is a rugged two-seat taildragger purpose-built for backcountry flying, where short unimproved strips, mountain terrain, and demanding off-airport operations are the norm. Introduced in 1987 by Christen Industries and later produced by Aviat Aircraft in Afton, Wyoming, the Husky evolved from the Piper Super Cub concept but with a steel-tube fuselage, composite cowling, and modern systems. The A-1C-180 variant pairs a 180-horsepower Lycoming O-360 with a constant-speed propeller, delivering exceptional short-field performance and a useful load around 850 pounds: enough for two adults, camping gear, and fuel for remote exploration. What sets the Husky apart is its combination of rugged construction and genuine STOL capability. With a stall speed below 45 knots and oversized tires as standard, it routinely operates from gravel bars, tundra, and mountain ridges where few certificated aircraft dare venture. The tandem seating provides excellent visibility for both occupants, critical when scouting landing zones or navigating tight valleys. Large Fowler flaps and responsive controls make it forgiving at slow speeds, while the airframe tolerates the punishment of rough-field landings season after season. Pilots prize the Husky for Alaska bush flying, backcountry recreation, pipeline and powerline patrol, and wildlife survey work where access trumps speed. The type remains in production today, with Aviat offering multiple engine options and a range of factory customizations for mission-specific roles. Its reputation for reliability and capability has made it a fixture at backcountry fly-ins and a trusted tool for operators who need to reach places helicopters find expensive and wheeled aircraft find impossible. SkyMeter has tracked 722 flights across 229 airframes and 211 operators, with KCSI AERIAL PATROL INC the largest observed operator.