Aviat Aircraft is expecting immanent approval for a 200-pound increase in gross weight for their versatile Husky design. With the increase to a maximum of 2,200 pounds, and several new options for propellers, the Husky has advanced from the model A-1B to the A-1C. The announcement was made by Aviat President Stuart Horn.

Huskys with the 180 and 200 horsepower engines are affected by the gross weight upgrade. FAA approval currently covers all Huskys with regular or tundra tires, skis, and those aircraft used for banner or glider towing operations. Floatplane operations are still pending, but are expected soon.

Flight testing included TC approval for the 80" Hartzell metal and 76" composite propellers with the 200 hp engine. In addition, the 200 and 180 hp engines can be serviced by 76" Hartzell metal props and by an 80.5" MT composite propeller.

Incorporating a gross weight increase in the Husky design required beefing up the two main and tailwheel gear components. The angle of incidence for the horizontal stabilizer was lowered to preserve the excellent flight handling characteristics associated with the earlier model. Appropriate changes were made to the flight manual and the tachometer was replaced with a different model. By simply making the changes to the flight manual all Huskys produced since December 2006 can be redesignated as a Husky A-1C. Some of the electronic tachometers may require readjusting or replacement. They already have the beefed up main and tailwheel components. Earlier models, produced after the elimination of aileron spades in January 2005, can be upgraded with an STC process. These aircraft would require new gear components in addition to the manual supplement and tachometer adjustments.

"The objective with the change is to expand the envelope for Husky operations," said Stuart Horn. "The marketplace keeps asking for more utility and we find ways to accommodate those requests. Increasing the useful load by 192 pounds, which brings it up to 842 pounds on a very nicely equipped airplane, dramatically increases the mission profile for the aircraft. The design stands alone in its class for performance and load carrying capability."