Seems Cub Crafters will be unveiling a new airplane in June.

As reported on AVweb.com by Paul Bertorelli ( http://www.avweb.com/blogs/insider/Cub-Crafers-Winning-Formula-226229-1.html )

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Cub Crafters president Randy Lervold had invited me come have a look at their newest product, which will be announced in June. I spent some time flying it and although a press embargo restricts me from revealing any details, I think the airplane will create quite a stir when it's unveiled.

I think Cub Crafters puts out some great products. I will be interested to see what they have cobbled together this time. It is not clear from the article whether it will be a certified and completed plane or a kit. I have a lot of respect for that company even though I can't really afford their products.

I still wish Vans Aircraft would put out a high wing Cub clone, but that’s ain’t happening.

Denali wrote:Seems Cub Crafters will be unveiling a new airplane in June.

I still wish Vans Aircraft would put out a high wing Cub clone, but that’s ain’t happening.

Love cub crafters stuff too. I WILL have a top cub one of theses days with a belly pod and good years.

Ditto on the Vans clone; scary what that group could bring to bare in a quick build

I have know about the new plane for a long time now... No specifics but it is my understanding that it will be a new certified aircraft under part 23...

Only reason I know about it is they are using my gascolator on it and every other aircraft they produce..

It will be interesting to finally see it in the flesh..

Brian


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My guess is that it will be a Cub clone with side by side seating. I am also thinking possibly a four place aircraft like a Maule MX7 or BackCountry Boss/SQ4.

Maule MX7


BackCountry Boss

Finally I won't have to keep my damned mouth shut!

Last year Cub Crafters sold the Top Cub CC-18 type certificate to a Chinese company.
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all ... to-chinese
From that article:
"CubCrafters has sold the type certificate for its Top Cub to Liaoning Cub Aircraft Corp. of Yingkou, China, but will continue to manufacture the model for non-China markets.
CubCrafters produces a line of backcountry taildraggers including two the Sport Cub S2 and Carbon Cub SS light sport aircraft, a kit version of the Carbon Cub, and the certified Top Cub. The sale of the CC18-180 type certificate for the Top Cub will allow the Yakima, Washington, company to fund what it calls an "ambitious lineup" of future aircraft projects. CubCrafters will continue to provide worldwide fleet support indefinitely."

I'm not sure how many Top Cubs CC has been selling since they introduced the carbon Cub, but FWIW scuttlebutt around the Arlington WA airport KAWO is that "the Chinese" have bought/leased a parcel on the airport (adjacent to the main ramp) where they will build Top Cubs. This doesn't jibe with what the article says.

It's all quite mysterious.

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The sale of the CC18-180 type certificate for the Top Cub will allow the Yakima, Washington, company to fund what it calls an "ambitious lineup" of future aircraft projects.

If the Chinese are indeed building a facility at the Arlington, WA airport, maybe their role will be to import and inspect aircraft subassemblies, which are then turned over to CC to "manufacture" a made in USA aircraft. Bearhawk gets some of their quick build kits from Mexico. Likewise, Vans supplies parts to the Philippines for the manufacture of some of their RV9 quick build kits.

I am going to be curious to find out if CC has developed some sort of a working relationship with the Chinese for components or subassemblies. Clearly something is brewing if Cub Crafters has sold the type certificate for its Top Cub to Liaoning Cub Aircraft Corp. and the Chinese are building a facility at KAWO.

The mystery continues.....

I heard some of CC webcams are turned off.

Here's the new 4 place from Backcountry Supercubs. Pretty cool plane.




They rolled it out last week. 1438 Lbs., I believe. This one needs some Keller Flaps and Tony's shock (TK1) but it's a pretty coo bird.

AKT


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When I was at the factory a year and a half ago watching wiring and final assembly to fill in the gaps the build manual left out, a bunch of FAA folks appeared on the factory floor for a quick tour. I asked if they were looking at the Carboncub/Top Cub production line. One of the guys on the floor said nope, they are looking at the new airplane. I asked "what new airplane" he said it was being developed in their 'skunk works' and he couldn't talk about it. Hinted it was bigger than the carbon cub.

A 180 clone Cubcrafter'd up would rock. Can't wait to see it.

Jake


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C130Jake wrote:
Hinted it was bigger than the carbon cub.
A 180 clone Cubcrafter'd up would rock. Can't wait to see it.

That is a pretty amazing possibility. An updated C180 with, among other things, a wider cabin offering say 46 inches, would be very well received.

The C180 has really withstood the test of time. As everyone knows, the lighter weight pre-1960 models are quite prized for their agility and low weight. If CC can pull something off like a Next Gen C-180 at a half reasonable cost ( aided by Chinese manufactured subassemblies ) then there will be a lot of smiles. If this is true, I hope Certificated as well as Experimental/Kit versions will be made available.

I guess a CC Next Gen C180 Experimental/Kit would "sort of" compete with the Bearhawk 4 Place, BackCountry SuperCubs Boss/SQ4, Bushmaster L164, and a few others. I have a hard time envisioning CC putting out an all metal-skinned product, but that might not be a bad thing. If true, I hope they can manage to give it true utility capabilities and make it "Alaska Tough". I suppose the marketing department will have done its homework regarding cost, target audience, design features, and more. CC's Cub heritage combined with a Cessna 180 design makes for an interesting cross pollination.

The C180 is a relatively large plane:
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2014/february/pilot/cessna-180-skywagon

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Length | 25 ft 8 in
Height | 7 ft 9 in
Wingspan | 36 ft
Wing area | 174 sq ft
Wing loading | 16.1 lb/sq ft
Power loading | 12.2 lb/hp
Seats | 4/6
Empty weight (standard) | 1,648 lb
Max gross weight | 2,950 lb
Useful load | 1,152 lb
Payload w/full fuel | 816 lb
Max takeoff weight | 2,800 lb
Max landing weight | 2,800 lb

More than 10,500 Cessna 180s and 185s were produced between 1953 and 1985, yet only a handful can be found at local airports. Cessna Skywagons don’t just fade away; they fly away—to remote corners of the world where the demand for them remains high and prices remain firm. Whether on floats, wheels, or skis, these brawny, high-wing Cessnas still have a reputation for being perhaps the best lightweight bush airplanes ever developed, durability and reliability being more important than eye appeal and speed.