The story
Al Mooney designed the Cadet at Culver as an improved, smaller-engined successor to the Culver Dart, and it first flew in December 1939. It is a low-wing two-seater with a plywood semi-monocoque fuselage, an elliptical cantilever wing and main wheels the pilot cranks up by hand. The LCA used a 75 hp Continental A-75; the later LFA moved to an 80 hp Franklin with a starter and full electrics. Civil production ran from 1939 into early 1942. Mooney later left to found Mooney Aircraft.
In 1940 the Army Air Corps chose the Cadet as a radio-controlled target. The drone versions got fixed tricycle gear, and the Army ordered 200 PQ-8s and 200 PQ-8As, while the Navy took 200 TDC-2s.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Cadet?
Tiny low-wing monoplane, only 27 ft across, with an elliptical wing, a pug nose that slopes down at the top, and a slot near each wingtip. In flight the main wheels fold away but the tailwheel stays down. Drone PQ-8s had fixed tricycle gear instead.
What does a Cadet sound like?
A small flat-four that sounds busier than its size, wheels tucked away.
How fast is the Cadet?
Top speed is 123 kts (142 mph) (LFA).
How many passengers does the Cadet carry?
Up to 1. A typical layout is Two seats side by side.
How far can the Cadet fly?
Range is about 434 nmi (LFA).
How big is the Cadet?
It is 17 ft 8 in long and 27 ft 0 in across the wings.
When did the Cadet first fly?
Its first flight was in 1939.
How many Cadets have been built?
359 civil Cadets (1939 to 1942), plus drone versions built.
How rare is a Cadet in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first Cadet catch is worth 25 points.
