Origins of the Staudacher Unlimited Monoplane

This top performing unlimited aerobatic aircraft was conceived, designed and built by Jon Staudacher of Kawkawlin Michigan, hence, the name Staudacher. A total of approximately 30 aircraft have been built since 1990 with the first aircraft built for Mike Goulian. Jon made design and performance improvements to each subsequent aircraft he built. However, the design has always used the same airfoil and is constructed using a unique combination of wood reinforced with carbon fiber. The fuselage and tail feathers are aluminum tube construction. The design first flew in 1990. The Staudacher (pronounced Stawd-a-ker) was designed to be a world class unlimited capable aerobatic aircraft and is intended to be America's answer to the Russian Sukhoi and the German Extra. The record shows that the Staudacher has met that challenge very successfully!

Above are photos taken at Jon Staudacher's shop in Kawkawlin, Michigan in 1991. Click here for a 3-view drawing of the Staudacher:

Photo above taken at 1993 US Nationals where 7 Staudachers competed. The Staudachers shown in this photo are all early design models. Jon refined the design with each new aircraft he built. Jon reached a new plateau with the introduction of the model S-300D. A total of four S-300D models were built and this design can be recognized by the bubble canopy offering much better visibility from the cockpit. This design also incorporated new design ailerons that increased the roll rate to over 400 degrees per second. The S-300D aircraft has made a mark in the world of competition and airshow flying. Below is a brief "bio" of each of the four aircraft.

Above are photos of Chris Panzl with his Staudacher S-300D. Chris competed in Unlimited category in 1999 and won a position on the U.S. unlimited world team flying this aircraft. Chris flew the S-300D in France for the World Aerobatic Championship in 2000.

Diane Hakala has owned two Staudachers. The Staudacher pictured at the far left is her first airplane which she flew in 1993. She qualified for the 1994 US Unlimited World Team in this airplane. Unfortunately, Diane suffered an emergency off-airport landing after her engine failed while practicing for the World Championships and the airplane was destroyed. Diane suffered injuries that kept her from competing at the WAC in 1994. She subsequently had Jon build another Staudacher for her. She won the title of US National Champion in her new model S-300D in 1997 (pictured here on the right). Diane went on to compete in the 1998 World Competition where she won the Gold Medal for the 4 Minute Free Style Program.

Diane retired from flying competition and sold the aircraft to John Klatt who has become a world class airshow performer with this S-300D. Photo below shows the aircraft totally rebuilt and repainted as it appears on the airshow circuit today.

Jon Staudacher built an S-300D for Dr. Dave Dingman of Salt Lake City. Below is a photo of his S-300D which was the only one built with a 300 HP Lycoming engine. The others have a 330 HP Lycoming engine.

Photos below are of Mike Niccum's S-300D. Mike flies the aircraft both for airshows and Unlimited category competition.