CubCrafters Awarded New STC For Extended Landing Gear

The FAA has awarded an STC to CubCrafters for its new “3X3 (3-by-3) landing gear”, available as a modification for all PA-18 Super Cubs.

CubCrafters Landing Gear

The new design moves the wheels three inches forward and three inches lower than stock gear and increases the strength of the gear system as a whole. The gusseted axles are machined from solid 4130 steel, and welded to larger diameter thicker walled main tubes extending from the fuselage attach points. The new cabane vee is also made of stronger material and angled forward to accommodate the new axle placement. With this arrangement, the angle-of-attack is improved and weight is transferred further aft of the main wheels. This redistribution of weight, along with added strength, is what makes more aggressive braking possible.

The heavy-duty 3X3 gear increases prop clearance and takeoff performance while allowing pilots to brake harder and therefore land in a shorter distance. Ground handling is also improved, as the aircraft more readily settles into a 3-point stance and remains there on roll out.

“I like everything about it!” declared CubCrafters owner Jim Richmond after his first flight in a 3X3 equipped Super Cub. “Some older 180 horsepower Cubs tend to be a little heavy in the nose, and this really takes care of that. It’s easy to handle on the ground, and you can really stomp on the  brakes!”

CubCrafters Landing Gear Componant

Further evidence of the design’s effectiveness came earlier this year at the annual take-off and landing competition held in Valdez, Alaska. Paul Claus, piloting an all-stock CubCrafters Carbon Cub SS equipped with the new 3X3 gear, handily won the Experimental class, landing in 69 feet, with no wind. (This 180 HP LSA took off in 64 feet, easily winning its division with a combined score for shortest take-off and shortest landing.)

The STC is available immediately. It includes two new 3X3 landing gear legs, a cabane vee, two lower shock struts and copper brakes lines. If a customer already has CubCrafters’ extended landing gear, the lower shock struts can be re-used. The STC’d 3X3 gear kit sells for $2,250 complete.

FMI: www.cubcrafters.com