Service History
The Escapade established Just Aircraft as a major force in the experimental kit market, with 230 kits shipped by 2010 and at least 200 sold during its peak years from 2006 to 2010. The aircraft found its niche among backcountry pilots seeking short takeoff and landing capabilities, with examples operating across diverse terrain from the Canadian wilderness to New Zealand's rugged landscape. By 2013, however, sales had been eclipsed by Just Aircraft's newer Highlander model at a ratio of 10:1, though the company continued supporting and shipping Escapade kits.
The Manufacturer
Just Aircraft LLC emerged from the partnership of designer Troy Woodland and businessman Gary Schmitt, who met at an air show in 2002. Woodland, formerly with Flying K Enterprises where he worked on Sky Raider kits, brought the engineering expertise while Schmitt provided crucial business backing and operational knowledge. Founded initially elsewhere, the company relocated to Walhalla, South Carolina in 2004, establishing operations at a facility with its own runway that enabled rapid growth.
The company's success extended beyond the Escapade, with total kit sales across all models exceeding 450 units by the early 2010s. Today, Just Aircraft operates under its original name, offering four two-seat models: the Escapade, Highlander, SuperSTOL, and SuperSTOL XL. Notably, one-third of the company's sales by 2013 were international, demonstrating the global appeal of their short takeoff and landing designs.
Engine & Technical Details
The Escapade typically employs a 100-horsepower Rotax 912S four-cylinder, horizontally-opposed engine with combined air and liquid cooling. Alternative powerplants include the Rotax 912UL/ULS, Jabiru 2200/3300, VW Bushking, or various Rotax engines ranging from the 503 to 914 models, providing a power range of 80 to 120 horsepower.
The aircraft's most distinctive feature is its wing-folding system, which allows the wings to fold in under two minutes without disconnecting any control surfaces or systems. This innovation addresses a critical need for owners with limited hangar space. The welded 4130 chrome-moly steel fuselage combined with aluminum tube wings and fabric covering creates a robust yet lightweight structure weighing just 281 kilograms empty.
Other notable design elements include a spacious 44-inch-wide cabin with over 30 cubic feet of luggage space—sufficient for sleeping—and the flexibility to switch between tailwheel and nosewheel configurations in approximately one hour after initial installation. Optional features include removable doors for open-air flying and cabin heating systems.
Performance Characteristics
With its STOL capabilities, the Escapade achieves impressive short-field performance including takeoff and landing runs of just 91 meters. The flapped stall speed drops to 43 kilometers per hour, while cruise speed reaches approximately 160 kilometers per hour. The aircraft carries a useful load of 318 kilograms with 68 liters of fuel capacity, providing substantial capability for backcountry operations.
These performance figures enabled the Escapade to serve pilots operating from remote strips in challenging terrain, from Idaho's mountain airstrips to Wisconsin's rural fields. The combination of short-field performance and quick wing folding made it particularly attractive to pilots who needed both off-airport capability and practical storage solutions.
International Variants
A separate development path emerged in the United Kingdom with the Escapade Two (later renamed Escapade 2), produced by Escapade Aircraft from 2011 to 2017. Rights to this variant transferred to The Light Aircraft Company in 2013, which subsequently developed it into the Sherwood Scout, demonstrating the design's adaptability to different markets and requirements.
Production & Legacy
While exact production totals remain undocumented, the Escapade's significance lies in establishing Just Aircraft's reputation and proving the market for folding-wing STOL kits. Examples remain active worldwide, including registered aircraft in Australia (VH-AHC, construction number JA192), New Zealand (ZK-SKP, c/n JA169-07-08), and the United Kingdom (G-CECF, built in 2006).
The Escapade's legacy extends beyond its own production numbers to its role as the foundation for Just Aircraft's subsequent success. The design principles and manufacturing processes developed for the Escapade directly influenced the creation of the Highlander in 2004, which would go on to become the company's bestselling model. Today, Just Aircraft continues to support existing Escapade builders while the basic design concepts pioneered in this aircraft continue to influence modern kit aircraft development.