CubCrafters has
introduce its 2005 SPORT CUB to attendees at Oshkosh. SPORT CUB is
making its official worldwide public debut, while its 180 hp
sibling TOP CUB makes its first appearance at Oshkosh since
receiving its FAR part 23 type certification in December of
2004.
During an Oshkosh Press Conference, Cubcrafters received a
million dollar check for a fleet order of 12 airplanes from "Cub
Air," a central Florida Sport Pilot training operation under the
guidance of former EAA staffer Chuck Larsen.
Just last week, SPORT CUB made its maiden flight at the
company's headquarters in Yakima, WA. CubCrafters founder and CEO
Jim Richmond, at the controls for the first flight, commented
afterwards, "In designing a completely new aircraft instead of a
simple reproduction, SPORT CUB retains all the positive flight
characteristics that previous 'Cub' aircraft have made iconic:
gentle handling, wide CG range, remarkable short field
capabilities, large payload capacity, and soon. But in the SPORT
CUB, we improved those things we always wished we could, such as
cockpit and cabin comfort, ease of entering and exiting the
airplane, modern avionics, and newly engineered airframe materials
and components, just to name just a few. With SPORT CUB, we
achieved and exceeded our design objectives."
Standard SPORT CUB features include the largest door and cabin
in its class. full electrical system, lightweight starter,
stow-away rear seat for an even larger cargo area, fuselage welded
cargo tie down points, adjustable pilot seat, aerodynamically
balanced rudder and elevator, optional flaps and an all-digital
flat panel. Powered by a 100 HP Continental 0-200 engine, Vortex
Generators and toe brakes are also standard equipment.
Additionally, safety, structural, and airframe component
improvements are designed into an all new fuselage, cowling, tail,
wing spars, wing struts and attach fittings.
Though the certification of the airplane will be to the ASTM
Designation as provided by the new Light Sport Aircraft rule, SPORT
CUB is by no means limited to the new category. Orders on hand
exist for private pilots in Alaska and elsewhere that will use
SPORT CUB equipped with flaps and larger tires as a utility
aircraft...the same aircraft that others might use purely for sport
and recreational purposes.
Detailing SPORT CUB manufacturing capabilities, Richmond
commented that, "We will build SPORT CUB on the same production
line that we currently build our FAR part 23, amendment 55
certified TOP CUB on. To date, we are the only company to
participate in the new category that produces aircraft to that
stringent standard"
SPORT CUB production positions can be secured with a refundable
$2,500 deposit. At start of production of a customer's aircraft, a
non-refundable payment of $22,500 is due, with the balance due at
aircraft completion. As of late July 2005, the next available SPORT
CUB delivery positions were in the second quarter of 2006.