MOSAIC Husky

That’s right—the 1,320-pound weight limit that previously precluded the 2024 Aviat Husky A–1C-200 from the sweaty palms of an eager sport pilot ready to seek adventure in one of the most capable backcountry airplanes is history. The weight limit is being replaced by a requirement that sport pilots fly aircraft with a clean (flaps up) stall speed not to exceed 59 knots calibrated airspeed (KCAS). The AOPA Sweepstakes Aviat Husky stalls way slower than that—just 50 KCAS clean and 46 KCAS with full flaps—slow enough to sneak into most grass strips with ease or turn off a paved runway at the first exit.

What’s more—recreational, private, commercial and airline transport pilots can fly the Husky under sport pilot rules without an FAA medical certificate or BasicMed. There are, however, some limitations for flying under sport pilot rules: You can only take one passenger (not a concern with the Husky’s two-place tandem seating); you cannot fly at night unless you have an FAA medical certificate or BasicMed (but you can still keep the Husky’s brilliant Aero LED wingtip wigwag lights on); and you cannot fly IFR (but you can still use the awesome Garmin GTN 650Xi navigator and GFC500 autopilot to cruise around).

But just because you can fly the AOPA Sweepstakes Aviat Husky if you win it doesn’t mean you should fly it without proper training. If you already have a tailwheel endorsement and are proficient, a one- to two-hour checkout will often be sufficient to feel comfortable in the Husky; it’s brawny, but well behaved. If you’re the lucky winner and are new to tailwheel flying, you’ll have a huge smile on your face as you and your tailwheel instructor beat up the pattern with the clamshell doors open and the wind in your hair.

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aopa.org/sweeps