Interstate Cadet

The Interstate Cadet is an American two-seat tandem, high wing, single engine monoplane light aircraft. Around 320 of these aircraft were produced between the years of 1941 and 1942 by the Interstate Aircraft and Engineering Corporation based in El Segundo, California. The construction techniques employed were a welded steel tube fuselage, wood (spruce) wing structure with metal ribs, and fabric covering, all of which were fairly standard in the 1940s.

The aircraft in its original version (the S1 prototype) was powered by the 50hp Continental A-50 engine, but was soon upgraded (the S1-A-65F variant) to the Continental A-65 engine. This was the mainstay used in most small two-seat aircraft of the time. This aircraft was also used in WW2, being named the L-6A.

In 1945 the rights to the aircraft were sold to Harlow Aircraft Company which in turn resold the tooling and parts to Call Aircraft Company of Afton Wyoming in 1946 for $5000. Callair had rebuilt a number of S-1, S-1A and L6 aircraft with and without engine upgrades for local ranchers and bush pilots as well as two examples of their own serial numbered CallAir S-1A-90C before stopping production.

Some have wondered why the S1 did not become successful during early 40's. One reason is that this aircraft cost almost three times the amount of the comparable J-3 Cub. However, a close look at the two aircraft reveals that the Cadet is far superior. It is faster, stronger, and can be operated in a more rugged environment with its Oleo strut/Compression spring suspension system. Popular upgrades for this airframe include: larger engines(75/85/90/100hp), better brakes, and a different tailwheel system.

In the late 1960s the type certificates and tooling were bought by the newly formed Arctic Aircraft Company. Arctic Aircraft transformed the S-1B1 into a bush plane by upgrading structural elements of the fuselage, landing gear, and wings. This new aircraft, designated the S-1B2, was reconfigured with a Lycoming O-320 160 HP engine and 82” McCauley propeller for increased performance.

In 1975, the revived and modernised Model S-1B2 was certified as the Arctic Tern.

Type certification was also obtained for some of the original Interstate Cadets to use the 160 hp Lycoming O-320 engine but without the full complement of modifications and upgrades provided in the Arctic Tern.

Variants

 * S-1
 * Certified in 1940 and powered by a Continental A-50-8 engine.


 * S-1A
 * Certified in 1941 and powered by a Continental A-65-8 engine.


 * S-1A-65F
 * 1941 variant powered by a 65hp Franklin 4AC-176-B2 engine.


 * S-1A-85F
 * 1942 variant powered by a 85hp Franklin 4AC-199-D2 engine.


 * S-1A-90C
 * 1952 Callair variant powered by a 90hp Continental C-90-8 engine. 2 only built.


 * S-1A-90F
 * 1942 variant powered by 90hp Franklin 4AC-199-E2 engine.


 * S-1B1
 * 1942 variant with a Franklin 4ACG-199-H3 engine. Military production as the L-6 Grasshopper.


 * S-1B2 (Arctic Tern)
 * 1975 improved variant of the S-1B1 powered by a Lycoming O-320-A2B or B2B engine.


 * XO-63 Grasshopper
 * United States Army designation for one S-1B for evaluation, later designated the XL-6.


 * L-6A Grasshopper
 * United States Army designation for the S-1B1, 250 built.


 * L-8A Cadet
 * United States Army designation for eight S-1As ordered on behalf of the Bolivian Air Force.