Will Be Standard Starter For The LSA Airplane

Hartzell Engine Technologies LLC’s President Mike Disbrow has announced that CubCrafters has selected Hartzell’s new X-Drive starter as standard equipment on the company’s upgraded, high-performance Carbon Cub SS light sport aircraft (LSA).

“This is our first OEM (original equipment manufacturer) application for the new-generation X-Drive lightweight starter,” Disbrow said. “CubCrafters manufactures an exceptional line of certificated, LSA and kit aircraft. Their selection of the X-Dive starter for their upgraded Carbon Cub SS LSA is an outstanding endorsement.”

Disbrow said that weight savings is especially important in LSA category aircraft like the Carbon Cub SS. “Every pound matters and the fact that the X-Drive is 1.7 pounds lighter than the previous starter is a significant contributor to helping CubCrafters meet the performance goals for the Carbon Cub SS,” he said.
As testament to the value of saving weight, according to CubCrafters the 180-horsepower Carbon Cub SS has a power-to-weight ratio of just one (1) horsepower to each 7.33 pounds of aircraft weight. According to CubCrafters, that ratio results in the Carbon Cub SS delivering a sea level climb rate of 2,100 feet per minute. In addition, no other LSA takes off or lands in shorter distances or offers better low-speed manners.

Randy Lervold, CubCrafters’ General Manager said that while the X-Drive’s lighter-weight and strong starting performance were the primary reasons the company selected it as the standard equipment starter, another advantage is the X-Drive’s consistently low power draw requirements. “In the interest of overall weight reduction, we used the smallest possible battery for the Carbon Cub SS LSA and the X-Drive’s low power draw enables it to provide consistent starts even with the lightweight battery,” he stated. “Since we introduced the X-Drive, we’ve received consistently good feedback from our owners on starting ease and reliability.”

(Image provide by Hartzell Engine Technologies.)

FMI: www.hartzellenginetech.com, www.cubcrafters.com