I love my Citabria but long for the freedom of the E-AB world. Yesterday, I ran across the EPIC 3000-180, which looks to be a Citabria clone. Google did not turn up much about the airplane; however, it seems as if the owners' previous company had a good reputation in the Cub world.

http://bbiaviation.com/epic3150.html

Is anyone familiar with the airplane or the company?

Dang that's a sweet looking plane! I love citabrias as well. I'd like to find a fuselage and build one up from there. I think I'd end up with a great plane. But the pricing on this kit almost makes this a better way to go...

Reading what little information that is on their Web site, it looks like they use the PA-18 airfoil. I think I would prefer the Citabria airfoil or the Riblet airfoil that the Bearhawk Patrol uses.

Interesting. I've always liked the Scout so if there was an exp/AB kit that was similar it would be attractive. Maybe call them and get some more info, then report back?

I love the ACA Scout too, but I think if anyone was considering an experimental scout like airplane they would be crazy to not check out the Bearhawk Patrol.

BKK wrote:Reading what little information that is on their Web site, it looks like they use the PA-18 airfoil. I think I would prefer the Citabria airfoil or the Riblet airfoil that the Bearhawk Patrol uses.

I wonder if you could bolt ACA wings on instead?

Very interesting! I thought I had a good handle on the aircraft available as kits in the bush-plane world, but I haven't seen this before.

First I thought it looks like its competing in an already crowded market segment, but thinking about it more specifically, really the only direct competition I can think of is the Murphy Rebel 3-place, for the very specific three place STOL mission. The others similar aircraft seem to occupy slightly different, although somewhat overlapping markets.

A narrow segment to play in, but it certainly has its points of difference. Looks like they are building to order - a smart move given the above.

BKK wrote:Reading what little information that is on their Web site, it looks like they use the PA-18 airfoil. I think I would prefer the Citabria airfoil or the Riblet airfoil that the Bearhawk Patrol uses.

Also wondering where you see that they are PA 18 wings. Crazy thing is I was wondering if I could put a set of Dakota wings on a citabria if I was building one. Wonder how much it would slow it down?

If the price is in CA dollars then it is very reasonable for a good looking kit.

A1Skinner wrote:

BKK wrote:Reading what little information that is on their Web site, it looks like they use the PA-18 airfoil. I think I would prefer the Citabria airfoil or the Riblet airfoil that the Bearhawk Patrol uses.

Also wondering where you see that they are PA 18 wings. Crazy thing is I was wondering if I could put a set of Dakota wings on a citabria if I was building one. Wonder how much it would slow it down?

The second page of this newsletter is where it says they are using the Super Cub airfoil. http://bbiaviation.com/images/newslette ... TER%20.pdf

I'm really intrigued by the Bearhawk Patrol and its Riblett airfoil. It seems like it is as good as the Super Cub airfoil at producing lift and better than the Citabria airfoil for speed. I have not flown a Bearhawk Patrol, but on paper, there are a few aspects of the Citabria that I like better. However, the performance numbers and pilot reports are hard to beat.

OP- did you talk to these guys or do any follow up? I just stumbled on their site yesterday and searching them on the internet really only turned up this thread. Pretty unusual for a kit plane to not really have anything written about it on the web and strange to only come across this plane and company now after all the research I've been doing. I was looking more at the Bushmaster and PA-12 kits myself and I'd sure be interested if anyone knows anything about those.

Fraser Farmer wrote:OP- did you talk to these guys or do any follow up? I just stumbled on their site yesterday and searching them on the internet really only turned up this thread. Pretty unusual for a kit plane to not really have anything written about it on the web and strange to only come across this plane and company now after all the research I've been doing. I was looking more at the Bushmaster and PA-12 kits myself and I'd sure be interested if anyone knows anything about those.

I talked to him yesterday. With the epic 3000 they took the best of 2 world's, ACA fuselage and accessibility with super cub wings and gear. This sounds like a awesome plane to me. It is also a 3 place, albeit tight in the back seat.
He is the builder of the smith cub, and is manufacturing them again. Ships quite a few flying planes and kits out. Also is a repair station. If ordered now he could have a kit for me by spring. He has quite a backlog. Sounds like he is very knowledgeable and he is very easy to talk with.

A1Skinner wrote:

Fraser Farmer wrote:OP- did you talk to these guys or do any follow up? I just stumbled on their site yesterday and searching them on the internet really only turned up this thread. Pretty unusual for a kit plane to not really have anything written about it on the web and strange to only come across this plane and company now after all the research I've been doing. I was looking more at the Bushmaster and PA-12 kits myself and I'd sure be interested if anyone knows anything about those.

I talked to him yesterday. With the epic 3000 they took the best of 2 world's, ACA fuselage and accessibility with super cub wings and gear. This sounds like a awesome plane to me. It is also a 3 place, albeit tight in the back seat.
He is the builder of the smith cub, and is manufacturing them again. Ships quite a few flying planes and kits out. Also is a repair station. If ordered now he could have a kit for me by spring. He has quite a backlog. Sounds like he is very knowledgeable and he is very easy to talk with.

That sounds like an awesome plane. Do they have many of the Epic 3000 flying? Good to find out a little background on the outfit too.

I never asked how many epic 3000s they had out flying. Sounds like it's a recent design. They have mostly been doing cubs in the past. He has enough epics out to know that guys don't like constant speed props as they are too heavy.
It is nice to have some background on them. Also nice to have a Canadian builder. Makes it a bit more affordable for us with the exchange rate these days...

Did you happen to ask if Citabria wings would bolt on?

BKK wrote:Did you happen to ask if Citabria wings would bolt on?

I totally forgot to. Out of curiosity, why would you want them over cub wings? Just for the speed?

A1Skinner wrote:

BKK wrote:Did you happen to ask if Citabria wings would bolt on?

I totally forgot to. Out of curiosity, why would you want them over cub wings? Just for the speed?

The speed is one thing; I also prefer the handling. It's probably sacrilegious, but I've never cared for how Cubs fly... I've flown worse, but I've definitely flown better.

BKK wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:

BKK wrote:Did you happen to ask if Citabria wings would bolt on?

I totally forgot to. Out of curiosity, why would you want them over cub wings? Just for the speed?

The speed is one thing; I also prefer the handling. It's probably sacrilegious, but I've never cared for how Cubs fly... I've flown worse, but I've definitely flown better.

I've never flown a cub. I did love the way my GCBC handled.
If you do ask him let us know. I've been wanting to buy a wrecked citabria and build it up in the homeowner maintenance category. Cost and mod wise this kit would be a better option though...

A1Skinner wrote:I never asked how many epic 3000s they had out flying. Sounds like it's a recent design. They have mostly been doing cubs in the past. He has enough epics out to know that guys don't like constant speed props as they are too heavy.
It is nice to have some background on them. Also nice to have a Canadian builder. Makes it a bit more affordable for us with the exchange rate these days...

So their prices are Canadian dollars? That makes it a lot more affordable.

Well don't quote me on it, but I'm pretty sure they are...

A1Skinner wrote:Well don't quote me on it, but I'm pretty sure they are...

I sure showed you!