I just came back from Sun 'n Fun and finally saw (and sat in) a Carbon Cub SS. I love it! I am considering buying it in kit form and build it. I have researched it and like everything about it. I'd like to ask two questions:

1) to those who have flown it: what can you tell me about it (good & bad)
2) to those who have built one: quality of kit? Instructions? Ease of build & time?

I would really appreciate any comments to help me make my decision to whether buy the kit or not. I know my L4 Cub is going to be very jealous! Resentful!?!?

I know this is not a new topic, but I can't seem to find all the answers I need.

Eduardo

How many planes are you going to buy!? Seems like every other day your going to buy or build a different plane. Can I come over when your done?

Flew one once. Only 2 words I use to describe it to people. Bad ass. But I don't have a lot of super cub time or real light bird time to give you hard core backcountry perspective on it.

What he said. You must lead a charmed life!

55wagon wrote:How many planes are you going to buy!? Seems like every other day your going to buy or build a different plane.

I have seen a couple fly up close, both times in windy conditions. If you like short takeoffs, you'll like it. If you like a smooth ride, maybe not so much. But then, the two are interlinked aren't they.

Just spent the day at Cub Crafters. I have seen other aircraft factories, motorcycle factories, and car factories. Cub Crafters production line, machine and fab shops, and pretty much the entire operation is among the very best that I have seen. In fact, I think I have only seen one fabrication and machine shop of an operation their size that was nicer, and not by much.

The production line and methods of construction are near perfect. It is a shame that the fabric can't be clear, their stuff is that nice. Seeing one Carbon Cub doesn't show you the whole picture. Seeing 25 in various stages of completion does.
If you can afford it, and a Cub fits your mission, buy one. Kit or certified, they are both great.


David.

Thanks for your responses guys. The factor the matter is that I cannot afford to buy all the airplanes that I like (like most people, I guess). Right now, at 58, I'm going thru a late life crisis and rearranging priorities. I have some airplanes that I love, but are not very functional. I have a C47, which is great, but at 100 gph it's getting hard to get airshows to pay for all the fuel. I also have a 450 Stearman and a Grumman AgCat. It makes no sense in having both biplanes. And, I have a beautiful L4 Cub. I love this plane, but it is not very practical. So, I been considering selling the Cub land one of the biplanes, and buying the CC. I think it makes more sense to me. I might even consider selling the C47 and have a fully paid CC and cash in my pocket for a lot of fuel.

I do have a privileged life, although I ain't got much money. I have been restoring these birds for more than 30 years now. I guess it's time to cash in and buy an airplane that makes more sense in every respect, and in the long term save me money. Plus, I'll have a new plane. The rest are all from the 40's, except the AgCat which is a '66.

Maybe I'm just dreaming, but if I stop dreaming, I might as well shoot myself!!

Eduardo

Eduardo,

The Carbon Cub is a great choice, I get to fly one regularly and I'm working on a build right now too.

On the flying side, they are way too much fun. I can't think of anything bad to say, I just love flying them. The only caution I would have to to make sure an LSA aircraft will work for you down in El Salvador.

The kit version goes together very nicely, the instructions are pretty good, and the fit and finish of the parts is amazing. But the best part is the company support. That can't be overstated in a build project, and nobody does it better than the CubCrafters people. I have never had a question or needed a clarification that it took me more than a few hours to get a response to.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to shoot me a PM. Good luck!

Cub271: there is no problem in having an LSA in El Salvador. A good buddy of mine built and flies a Rans R7 here and he really enjoys it. I fly my L4 with him often, but cannot keep up with him. He goes in and out of places I cannot imagine getting out of. The only problem in ES is that you cannot land just anywhere. Still, there are a lot of choices.

Thanks for your comments. I kinda thought that what you and the other guys have commented was the reality of the CC SS. Now I know that my thoughts were correct.

Eduardo

By the way, considering that I would have this airplane in El Salvador, how difficult is it to maintain this new 340 Stroker. Does it matter much that the mechanics here in ES have never seen one, or is it a matter of just getting acquainted with its manual?

I wouldn't want to have them not want to touch it because it's something new to them. Is electronics replacing the mags the biggest difference?

Eduardo

PatínLoco wrote:By the way, considering that I would have this airplane in El Salvador, how difficult is it to maintain this new 340 Stroker. Does it matter much that the mechanics here in ES have never seen one, or is it a matter of just getting acquainted with its manual?

I wouldn't want to have them not want to touch it because it's something new to them. Is electronics replacing the mags the biggest difference?

Eduardo

I'm not an A&P, so I would defer to others for a better answer, but from the CubCrafters website:

"Just as Carbon Cub aircraft are modern updates of the classic Piper Super Cub, the CC340 is a thoroughly modern version of the venerable Lycoming designs that have successfully powered Cubs for many decades. Therefore, any mechanic trained in the repair and maintenance of Lycoming is equally qualified to work on the CC340."

http://www.cubcrafters.com/carboncubex/engine

PatínLoco wrote:Thanks for your responses guys. The factor the matter is that I cannot afford to buy all the airplanes that I like (like most people, I guess). Right now, at 58, I'm going thru a late life crisis and rearranging priorities. I have some airplanes that I love, but are not very functional. I have a C47, which is great, but at 100 gph it's getting hard to get airshows to pay for all the fuel. I also have a 450 Stearman and a Grumman AgCat. It makes no sense in having both biplanes. And, I have a beautiful L4 Cub. I love this plane, but it is not very practical. So, I been considering selling the Cub land one of the biplanes, and buying the CC. I think it makes more sense to me. I might even consider selling the C47 and have a fully paid CC and cash in my pocket for a lot of fuel.

I do have a privileged life, although I ain't got much money. I have been restoring these birds for more than 30 years now. I guess it's time to cash in and buy an airplane that makes more sense in every respect, and in the long term save me money. Plus, I'll have a new plane. The rest are all from the 40's, except the AgCat which is a '66.

Maybe I'm just dreaming, but if I stop dreaming, I might as well shoot myself!!

Eduardo

Eduardo, Your a man after my heart, Keep flying!!
I'm turning 60 next month, Go with Gusto!
Keep Dreaming!!
Good On Ya!
If you get to Cub Crafters, come on up and spend a day or two. Not to far from there.
Have a couple of birds you should fly abit!

GT

I have seen a few CC. Holy of Holies for a wannabe bushpilot.

I want one. What are the winning power ball numbers this draw. I won't tell anyone, promise! We can split it 50/50. Or 70/30.

byeBill

Cub271 wrote:

PatínLoco wrote:By the way, considering that I would have this airplane in El Salvador, how difficult is it to maintain this new 340 Stroker. Does it matter much that the mechanics here in ES have never seen one, or is it a matter of just getting acquainted with its manual?

I wouldn't want to have them not want to touch it because it's something new to them. Is electronics replacing the mags the biggest difference?

Eduardo

I'm not an A&P, so I would defer to others for a better answer, but from the CubCrafters website:

"Just as Carbon Cub aircraft are modern updates of the classic Piper Super Cub, the CC340 is a thoroughly modern version of the venerable Lycoming designs that have successfully powered Cubs for many decades. Therefore, any mechanic trained in the repair and maintenance of Lycoming is equally qualified to work on the CC340."

http://www.cubcrafters.com/carboncubex/engine

That is correct. With the exception of some of the bolt on parts like the oil sump and ignition system the engine parts are virtually identical to Lycoming engines. There is a complete engine manual that comes with each engine as well.

Pete D (Cub Crafters)

PilotPeat wrote:That is correct. With the exception of some of the bolt on parts like the oil sump and ignition system the engine parts are virtually identical to Lycoming engines. There is a complete engine manual that comes with each engine as well.

Pete D (Cub Crafters)

Hey Pete! Didn't realize you were on here. It was nice meeting you up in Puyallup back in March.

Zane

We've just fitted an ECi IOX340S to an RV-9A, I've done 6 hours in it so far, very nice engine, super smooth and very strong. I think the CC 340 is an ECi engine? Anyone familiar with a Lycoming won't have any problems maintaining it

Thanks Brad, that sure answers my question about the engine.

Eduardo

Thanks GT, I accept your invitation. I will let you know when I can come up. Where are you located, and as to flying, are you talking CCs or other interesting birds?

Eduardo

Thanks Pete and onefitty! Makes me feel more comfortable.

Eduardo

PatínLoco wrote:Thanks GT, I accept your invitation. I will let you know when I can come up. Where are you located, and as to flying, are you talking CCs or other interesting birds?

Eduardo

Just north of Spokane about 60 miles as the crow flys, Have a Wilga 104-80 and a Max Holste Broussard.
I look kinda funny stuffed in a cub so don't go there very often!!
Come before June as I have to go back to work in AK.
Looking forward to meeting you.
GT

Hey GT, those are my kind of airplanes, round engines and the small wheel in the right place. Would love to go for a ride in them. If I make to Cubcrafters by the end of May, I'll stop by. Thanks for the invitation.

Eduardo

Having flown the local one here on amphib floats and wheels, I would have just a few points:

It is a total hoot to fly! Beautiful control harmony, strong performance, go straight up, but no worries about a typical 180 hp install being nose heavy and diminishing the happy cub "feel". Comfortable and no bad habits. Close to flying perfection!

That said, I would opt for building one as an experimental kit. The main reason is to make whatever modifications you need to fit in a bigger and better battery. This is the main problem area we've run into. The formed plastic tray under the pilot's seat only accepts one size of battery and in our case it's been a fight to keep it always strong enough to turn over the high compression O-340 and light weight carbon prop. (I would rework this to make room for a different battery - or always carry a jumper.) (You don't want to try and prop this airplane with that snappy light carbon fiber prop and it's almost impossible anyway given the electronic ignition. Thus you want a good battery!)