CubCrafters is introducing a new variant of its best-selling\nCarbon Cub aircraft. In development for international markets, the new model is\ncalled the Carbon Cub UL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company has invested in several new technologies to make\nthe Carbon Cub UL even lighter and better performing than its predecessor, the\nCarbon Cub SS. The goal is a new airplane that features multi-fuel technology\n(MOGAS & AVGAS), fully meets ASTM standards, and carries 2 adult people\nwith a full fuel load and a reasonable amount of baggage at a takeoff weight of\n600 kg (1320 lbs) and under.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key to the development of the new aircraft is CubCrafters\u2019\ncollaboration with BRP-Rotax, which is launching their new 160 HP turbocharged\nengine on the Carbon Cub UL. The new 916 iS engine is lighter, more fuel\nefficient, and can produce more power than the normally aspirated CC340 engine\non the Carbon Cub SS in higher density altitude scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Carbon Cub was first introduced in 2009 and has been an amazing aircraft for both CubCrafters and the entire backcountry community,\u201d stated Patrick Horgan, CubCrafters President and CEO. \u201cIt has redefined expectations industry-wide for what a light STOL aircraft should be. Now, we\u2019re reimagining the Carbon Cub by incorporating the latest in pre-preg composites, more titanium components, and innovative manufacturing techniques, along with the best new engine and avionics technologies for even more performance and versatility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Carbon Cub UL is the culmination of years of investment\nin both human and economic resources, the hard work of our industry-leading\nteam, and our dedication to research and development. We believe this aircraft\nwill make a major contribution to unlocking the enormous potential of the\ninternational marketplace,\u201d added Horgan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The production version of the new aircraft is slated to be\ninitially built, certified, and test flown as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) at\nthe CubCrafters factory in Yakima, Washington, but will also meet Ultralight\ncategory requirements in many international jurisdictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe aircraft can remain in the LSA category for our\ncustomers in Australia, New Zealand, Israel, and even the United States, but it\ncan also be deregistered, exported, and then reregistered as an Ultralight\ncategory aircraft in many jurisdictions in Europe, South America, and\nelsewhere,\u201d explained Brad Damm, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for\nCubCrafters. \u201cThis is a concept we\u2019ve looked at for the last several years. Our\nkit aircraft program has always been strong in overseas markets, and now we are\nvery excited to have a fully factory assembled and tested aircraft to offer to\nour international customers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UL concept of a lighter and even better performing\nversion of the Carbon Cub for international markets was first seen earlier this\nmonth in Dubai, UAE. There, a technology demonstrator version of the aircraft\nwas able to successfully land and take off again from a 27-meter diameter\nheliport that is suspended 56 stories above the ground on top of Dubai’s iconic\nBurj Al Arab hotel as part of a recent Red Bull project that inspired audiences\nworldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first Rotax 916 iS powered Carbon Cub UL, an engineering\ndevelopment prototype, is on display and can be seen at the CubCrafters exhibit\nat Sun n\u2019 Fun. CubCrafters will be accepting deposits for the Carbon Cub UL\nstarting at the show, and with the company\u2019s current backlog of new aircraft\norders, the first consumer deliveries are expected in early 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n