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.

FMI: www.cubcrafters.com