CubCrafters has introduced a new iteration of its best-selling Carbon Cub aircraft. Dubbed the Carbon Cub UL, the new machine is intended primarily for international markets in which conventional avgas, the likes of 100LL, is difficult or impossible to come by.
To achieve its goal of making the Carbon Cub UL contemporaneously avgas and mogas compatible—as well as even lighter and better-performing than its Carbon Cub SS predecessor—CubCrafters invested significantly in new technologies. The end result is an aircraft that complies fully with rigorous American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards and carries two adults, full fuel, and a reasonable amount of baggage at a takeoff weight of 1,320-pounds (six-hundred kilograms).
Among the instances salient to the Carbon Cub UL’s development was CubCrafters’s collaboration with BRP-Rotax, the Austria-based, Bombardier-owned engine marque renown for its sophisticated-but-reliable, low-weight, high-power reciprocating-engines. The Carbon Cub UL is the launch platform for Rotax’s new 160-horsepower 916 iS powerplant, a remarkable turbocharged mill capable of producing more power than the Carbon Cub SS’s normally-aspirated CC340 engine under high density altitude conditions.
CubCrafters president and CEO Patrick Horgan stated: “The Carbon Cub was first introduced in 2009 and has been an amazing aircraft for both CubCrafters and the entire backcountry community. It has redefined expectations industry-wide for what a light STOL aircraft should be. Now, we’re reimagining the Carbon Cub by incorporating the latest in prepreg composites, more titanium components, and innovative manufacturing techniques, along with the best new engine and avionics technologies for even more performance and versatility.”
Prepregs are materials applied to the surfaces of aerospace composites for purpose of improving the properties thereof. Prepregs are typically made from glass, carbon, or aramid fibers coated with thermoset resin for additional strength. Prepregs occasion lightweight and robust alternatives to legacy aerospace composites. What’s more, prepregs are environmentally-friendly and may be safely disposed of in landfills.
Mr. Horgan added: “The Carbon Cub UL is the culmination of years of investment in both human and economic resources, the hard work of our industry-leading team, and our dedication to research and development. We believe this aircraft will make a major contribution to unlocking the enormous potential of the international marketplace.”
The production version of the Carbon Cub UL is to be built, certified, and test-flown as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) at CubCrafters Yakima, Washington factory. The aircraft will also meet Ultralight category requirements in many international jurisdictions.
CubCrafters vice-president of sales and marketing Bran Damm set forth: “The aircraft can remain in the LSA category for our customers in Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and even the United States, but it can also be deregistered, exported, and then re-registered as an Ultralight category aircraft in many jurisdictions in Europe, South America, and elsewhere. This is a concept we’ve looked at for the last several years. Our kit aircraft program has always been strong in overseas markets, and now we are very excited to have a fully factory-assembled and tested aircraft to offer to our international customers.”
On 14 March 2023, a technology demonstrator embodying many of the engineering concepts intrinsic to the new Carbon Cub UL successfully landed and took off again from a 27-meter diameter heliport atop Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. Designated the Bull’s Eye Landing Event, the feat was executed by Red Bull Air Race pilot and Carbon Cub owner Luke Czepiela, and performed in cooperation with Red Bull and extreme sports promoter XDubai.
The first Rotax 916 iS powered Carbon Cub UL, an engineering development prototype, was displayed at 2023’s SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo. Throughout the spring event, CubCrafters accepted deposits for the new model, the first deliveries of which are slated to occur in early 2025.
Parties interested in learning more about the Carbon Cub UL—to include the aircraft’s engine and airframe technical specifications, a product launch Q&A, and video and still image galleries—are invited to visit: https://cubcrafters.com/snf23.
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