Junkers A50 Junior Unveiled to Kick Off Sun ’n Fun 2023

The airframe of the Junkers A50 Junior is crafted of corrugated aluminum and harkens back to the golden age of aviation. [Credit: Stephen Yeates]

The open-cockpit A50 Junior SLSA crafted of corrugated metal gained FAA acceptance in February—and the throwback to the golden age of flight made its grand entrance at the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, on Monday.

Junkers Aircraft—now the parent company to the WACO marque as well—hosted the event at its WACO Kitchen at the Sheltair FBO at the Lakeland Linder International Airport on the afternoon prior to the official opening of the show on March 28.

Junkers Aircraft revealed its A50 Junior on the Sheltair ramp following a reception at its restaurant. [Credit: Stephen Yeates]

A Throwback and Leap Forward

Taking the 1929 design from Hugo junkers and updating it to the modern era, Junkers Aircraft has begun manufacturing the two-seat, low-wing, aluminum-skinned sport airplane at its U.S. facility in Michigan. The original 80 hp Armstrong-Siddeley Genet radial engine has been swapped out for the 100 hp Rotax 912iS with a two-blade, ground adjustable MT propeller. In the rear cockpit—from which the airplane is flown when solo—the Garmin G3X with a 10.6-inch display provides aircraft control and navigational power, with a companion 7-inch G3X display up front.

Other safety improvements over the traditional design include a Beringer braking system and a Galaxy ballistic recovery parachute. The airplane already came in under SLSA parameters with a max takeoff weight of 1,320 pounds and suitability to the training environment.

The first 29 aircraft are offered at 179,000 euros or about $193,500 at today’s exchange rate. Look for an upcoming We Fly pilot report in the pages of FLYING.

The A50 Junior easily falls into SLSA parameters at 1,320 pounds max takeoff weight and a 46-knot stall speed. [Credit: Stephen Yeates]

Junkers A50 Junior Specs

Price: 179,000 euros (roughly $193,500)

Engine: Rotax 912iS, 100 hp, fuel-injected

Propeller: two-blade MT, ground adjustable

Recovery System: Galaxy GRS 600 airframe parachute

Seats: 1 + 1 (solo from the rear)

Day VFR Only

Wingspan: 32 feet, 4 inches

Length: 24 feet, 4 inches

Height: 9 feet, 6 inches

Max Takeoff Weight: 1,320 pounds

Empty Weight: 840 pounds

Useful Load: 480 pounds / 310 pounds with full fuel

Fuel Capacity: 27 gallons

Fuel Consumption: 4 gph at best economy

Range: 680 nm

Cruise Speed: 75 knots

Stall Speed: 46 knots

Max Crosswind Component: 15 knots

Takeoff Distance, Over 50-ft. Obstacle: 984 feet

Landing Distance, Over 50-ft. Obstacle: 1,355 feet

A50 ASTM FAA Junior Junkers Light Sport LSA piston SLSA

Julie BoatmanContributor

Based in Maryland, Julie Boatman is an aviation educator and author. She holds an airline transport pilot certificate with Douglas DC-3 and CE510 (Citation Mustang) type ratings. She's a CFI/CFII since 1993, specializing in advanced aircraft and flight instructor development.