CubCrafters is beginning the public market survey development phase of its newest backcountry aircraft, the Carbon Cub UL, in April 2024 at the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, which kicks off April 9, and AERO Friedrichshafen, which is slated for April 17-20 in Germany.
Offered as either a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) or Experimental Amateur Built (EAB), the Carbon Cub UL is slated to begin production in early 2025, according to company officials.
As part of its final stages of development, CubCrafters is inviting pilots to fly the aircraft to get their input on the aircraft’s performance, features, and options.
“We believe that core to the success of CubCrafters is that we listen to our customers to assure that we develop the aircraft that they want to fly,” said Patrick Horgan, president and CEO. “The original Carbon Cub was first introduced 15 years ago, and at the time it redefined expectations of what backcountry performance should be. It was a tall order to make an aircraft like the Carbon Cub lighter, stronger, and even more capable than it was before, but we’ve done that with the UL version. Even being a full-sized aircraft, it is light enough that it legitimately has the capability to carry two people, fuel, and baggage at LSA weights of under 1,320 pounds. In the EAB category, it can have more useful load than its own empty weight.”
CubCrafters collaborated with BRP-Rotax over several years to launch its newest and most powerful aircraft engine, the 160-hp turbocharged 916iS, on the Carbon Cub UL, company officials said.
“The engine is light, powerful, features FADEC controls, and can run both avgas and mogas,” officials said.
The company expects to complete its market survey efforts this summer in order to lock the design ahead of full consumer production beginning in 2025.
For those that want to participate but can’t attend SUN n’ FUN or AERO, the company will have several more UL demo aircraft in service by EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin in late July, officials concluded.
For more information: CubCrafters.com