Interstate S1B Cadet / L-6 Grasshopper

In 1940, the Interstate Aircraft & Engineering Corp. began production of the Interstate Cadet. The S1B was a member of a family of taildraggers, such as the Piper Cub, Taylorcraft, Luscombe, and Aeronca Champ that served many a weekend pilot with fun-filled hours during the late 1930s and early 1940s. The original Cadet was produced in a number of versions using engines from 65 hp to 102 hp. Most popular was the S5B using a 102-hp four-cylinder Franklin.

The tandem two-seater was modified for the military at the beginning of the war and called the L-6 liaison plane. This version was equipped with a glazed canopy that extended well aft toward the tail.

In 1969, production of the Interstate Cadet was resurrected by Bill and Jan Diehl, owners of Arctic Aircraft Co. in Anchorage, Alaska. The revived Cadet was dubbed the S2B2.

Engine 102-hp Franklin
Length: 23.458 ft / 7.15 m
Height: 6.988 ft / 2.13 m
Wingspan : 35.499 ft / 10.82 m
Wing area : 173.839 sq.ft / 16.15 sq.m
Gross wt. 1,650 lb / 748.0 kg
Empty wt. 1,103 lb. / 500.0 kg
Wing loading: 9.43 lb/sq.ft / 46.0 kg/sq.m
Fuel capacity 15 USG.
Top speed 114 mph / 99 kts / 183 km/h
Cruise 105 mph / 91 kts / 169 km/h
Stall 38 mph.
Initial climb rate 900 fpm.
Range: 469 nm / 869 km
Service ceiling 16,500 ft / 5030
Seats 2.