A question - would a Cub Crafters SportCub be a suitable backcountry airplane given that I primarily intend to fly in and out of designated backcountry strips (e.g. Johnson Creek, Wilson Bar, etc.)? I've been considering a TopCub, but frankly I would rarely go into gravel bars and other short, unimproved places. 180 HP would be nice, but the SportCub seems capable of everything I'd want to do, and at nearly half the price. Would you guys rate it more than adequate, adequate, or I might face some challenges?

I have not flown the Sport Cub, but I have heard rave reviews from several outstanding pilots who have flown nearly everything under the sun.

My main concern would be 100 sea-level hp and high density altitude at the Idaho BC-strips. Like every naturally aspirated recip, there is a dramatic difference in performance between sea-level and 8000' msl density altitude.

That said, a good back country pilot could fly a stock J-3 in to most of the BC strips. He would keep it light, plan his departures when it's cool, and never fly in the mountains mid-day in the summer.

Every ship has its physical limitations. If those limitations are respected, and margins maintained, the Sport Cub would probably do just fine in the BC.

The sport cub is a nice airplane, and I've seen them being built. I own its predecessor, a 90hp. PA11 with flaps, similar in weight and performance. I've also owned super cubs, but never a 180hp. one.

As others have said and will tell you, keep it light, and it will do fine. Do not expect to load it with a passenger and camping gear for 2 and jump off the ground on a hot day at 5000' like a super cub. There is no substitute for horsepower, and you cannot fool gravity. With a bit of discretion, I believe it would do fine on those Idaho strips.

The benefits of the 100hp. mill are many, not the least of which is the 5 gal/hr fuel burn while traveling at virtually the same speed as it's 180hp. big brother. The fun factor is extremely high.

Unless you just have to have a new Cub Crafters airplane, there are quite a few very late model Aviat Husky's on the market right now, for slightly more than half the price of a new Top Cub. A very capable bird that might be worth considering. Or, let me be the first to say that you could just buy a Maule.

Good luck, let us know what you decide.

gb

Ditto's the above. I fly a 90 hp PA-18 now and then. A hoot to mess around with but I'm at 1200 feet and even then sometimes wish there was more power to get over a particular tree line etc...especially if loaded up with fuel and carrying a passenger (this airplane is heavier than a typical 90). So with planning and hot/high altitude limitations fully in mind, I think you'll have great fun with a CC-11 Sport Cub.

A Sportcub would be a blast! I competed against one at Valdez, Matt Piat barely beat Jerry Burr. A nice J3/PA11 with a C90/O-200 would be a lot less expensive though.

I am a private pilot with medical who has a sportcub because that is the aircraft I wanted to fly, not because of the LSA designation. I'm always off pavement and usually off airport frequenting most of the backcountry strips in Montana and Idaho you wrote about. I weigh 250 lbs; with camp gear I can go anyplace a comparably loaded supercub can go. It won't haul a moose, gear, and two guys like a Supercub if that is your mission. This aircraft is a joy to fly and I can't be happier with my decision. If you get one....get it a light as possible. Don't add a million farkles. The key is keeping it light. If you have more questions please feel free to PM me. Ralph

Jr.CubBuilder wrote: If she doesn't come with me more often, then I'm going to be thinking about getting something with two less seats, lower fuel burn, and at least 50 years newer.

Your talking about the plane I assume?

Saw Ralph's Sportcub at Johnson Crick, and it was indeed an impressive performer, and Sunday morning, Density Altitude was, what, Ralph? 6500+?

Nice ship, and good talkin' to Ralph.

Thanks. cubscout

Take a look at the American Legend Cub. Be sure to read some of their little articles (#1 in American made LSA, #2 in all LSA)

+1 for what GB said . . .


Look for a nice used Husky. You'll get much more for your money than buying new. You'll also have a plane that has 20 knots or so over a SC, and flown well, will get into and out of any strip that's called a strip and a lot of places that aren't.

I had a F 19 taylorcraft with a 0 200 never found a place I couldnt get in and out of with little effort at all I believe the wing design is a little different. I am sure you can buy more horsepower. If you want, but I would believe the sport cub will do 95% of what you want to do. I use to fly my f19 taylorcraft at 105° at 2600 feet field elv and never used over 600 feet not sure what that figures out too density wise. but I was typically about 150 under gross
and I think the sport and the taylorcraft are pretty close in weight

Prices on the LSA's have gone pure nuts, in my opinion. Maybe that's what it takes to build them, I am not suggesting anyone is trying to gouge the consumer, but I think that's been the single thing that's been holding back sales of LSA airplanes in general.

The cost of a Sport Cub and a Legend Cub have gone up close to 50% since they were introduced, even if you leave off the bells and whistles. I presume that's what it takes to make a profit on these aircraft, but it sure puts them out of the reach of a lot of folks.

And, as Bumper says, for that amount of money, you can purchase a REALLY nicely rebuilt Super Cub, or not very used Husky.

But, whatever winds your watch.

I've been looking at the Legend kit, but even that, you'd wind up with a lot of $$ in before you were done,

Nice little aircraft, in any case.

MTV

LIGHT Sport in all the Cub look a like products is a huge problem. The empty weight on those airplanes is hovering around 880 lbs. PLEASE...that is anything but LIGHT right out of the gate. I spent 3 years crunching numbers and looking at product that could get the job done and the only 4 that come close are the Highlander, Rans S7, Kitfox and now the Outlaw. All of the products mentioned can and should be powered by the Rotax 912ULS 100 hp. This engine has very unique properties. 1. IT CAN ACTUALLY PUT OUT 97 out of 100 hp. 2. The self adjusting BING carbs allow you to have more rated hp at higher altitudes. 3. The gear box allows the engine to stay in its optimum torque range at all times. 4. It is lighter then an other powerplant on the market. Don't get me wrong I LOVE the feel of raw HP and I wish I could afford a new Husky....well... I still wouldn't buy one....TRY a REAL light airplane and see what you think. I will let anyone interested give mine a go.

What is the Outlaw? I tried googling it but didn't come up with anything very definitive. Is it a modified or upgraded version of another airplane, like the Avid-based Airdale?
About the only mention of this Outlaw (other than youtube video which I can't view with my dial-up) was on the Floridalightsport.com site which I guess is your site Lynn. You referenced TCOW but there's nothing on their site about it.

Eric

Eric,

Yes the the website is mine. I was invite out to Douglas to flight test the airplane last Sept. It is a really nice flying airplane. The Kit is not ready for the open market, but they tell me they are building the gigs and will have a package ready by Summer of 09' for sure. TCOW just moved to a new facility in late Dec and the factory has a runway so I am sure they will have a fly-in this spring. The entry door and seats are being redesigned from the prototype you see in the photos. Call them and talk to Joel tell him Lynn sent you.

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Pretty cool. Sorry Eric.

Jeff, I think you'd love a SportCub for what it is.

This is my In-Law's farm, and for 10 years I never considered trying to land with my Champ or J-3.
With about 40hr in a CC-11-100 and a meager 2000hr TT; I've never been as comfortable and confident in another airplane.

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nkh

Great videos! Thanks for posting them.

bumper wrote:+1 for what GB said . . .


Look for a nice used Husky. You'll get much more for your money than buying new. You'll also have a plane that has 20 knots or so over a SC, and flown well, will get into and out of any strip that's called a strip and a lot of places that aren't.

Don't have anything to do with this, but bumped into it today.

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/rvs/968796063.html

gb

Nice thing about the Husky is it will take hydraulic wheel skis and still have some useful load left over for the pilot. That, and it cruises faster if that is important.