Jim Richmond the founder of CubCrafters, passed away Nov. 21, 2021, surrounded by family at his home in Yakima, Washington.
Both Jim Richmond and the company he founded, CubCrafters, are names synonymous with backcountry aviation.
Jim started the company in 1980, and although he had retired from its day-to-day management in recent years, he continued to be active in managing the strategic and creative direction of the company until his death, according to company officials.
Jim saw the possibilities in modernizing the iconic Piper Super Cub with current design and manufacturing techniques for better performance and safety. In the four decades since he founded the company, CubCrafters has manufactured a fleet of around 1,500 new aircraft, and rebuilt or restored countless others for customers all over the world.
The team that Jim built in the rural Washington State community of Yakima developed seven different models of aircraft over the years, both certified and experimental, along with dozens of STCs.
The most recent aircraft added to his legacy is the nosewheel equipped XCub, an airplane that allows backcountry access to a wider range of pilots than ever before, according to company officials.
“CubCrafters is truly a family. Our employees, customers, and affiliates all feel Jim’s loss,” said Pat Horgan, CubCrafters president and CEO. “In everything we do moving forward, Jim will be with us. It was his stated intention that CubCrafters would continue as the market leader in the design and manufacture of the best backcountry aircraft in the world. Both Jim’s family and the CubCrafters leadership team are fully committed to continue growing the aviation legacy that Jim started.”
A memorial service to celebrate Jim Richmond’s life is scheduled for Dec. 4, 2021, at the CubCrafters factory in Yakima, Washington, with details to follow.
The family suggests donations to the Idaho Aviation Foundation in his name, in lieu of flowers.
It was many years ago that I asked Jim if I could ferry some Cubs to/from YKM. He said OK and I picked up and delivered Cubs to/from NC, FL, TX, MN and many other places. I love the low and slow cross-country trips. Jim gave me the opportunity and it was great fun!