Tue, May 25, 2010
The Carbon Cub SS probably does more than any other aircraft
heretofore to max out the definition of an LSA... without crossing
the line into "Real" airplane mode. And, boy, does it deliver the
goods in the process... and the fun.
On January 21st through January 24th, 2010, aviation enthusiasts
gathered at the Sebring Regional Airport for the annual Sport
Aviation Expo. In a sea of light sport aircraft, one particular
company made quite a splash for its one-of-a-kind LSA. The
Cubcrafters’ Carbon Cub SS is the first and only
180-horsepowered aircraft to hit the LSA market. Dramatically
reinventing the 1940s Piper Super Cub, CubCrafters has re-sculpted
the aircraft into a modern design with the latest in composite
carbon fiber and engine technology.
Engineering is paramount on the new aircraft; the Carbon Cub SS
has 50 percent fewer parts than the Super Cub. The use of
lightweight composite material puts the airplane’s empty
weight at 900 pounds, about 250 pounds lighter than the standard
Super Cub. Selected for its weight savings and performance, the
four-cylinder, 340-cubic-inch Lycoming engine features dual
electronic ignition giving the Carbon Cub SS 180-horsepower for
both takeoff and climb.
The aircraft boosts a horsepower-to-weight ratio of just 7.33
pounds, providing an astounding sea level climb rate of 2,100 feet
per minute. Pilots can utilize full horsepower for up to five
minutes before dropping to the recommended 80 horsepower in cruise
flight, providing a maximum continuous speed of 138 miles per
hour.
Safety was a high priority in the Carbon Cub SS’s
development; engineers tested the aircraft far beyond the ASTM
standards required for LSAs; both the wings and fuselage were
subjected to FAA Part 23 load testing up to 1,856lbs, nearly 40
percent beyond LSA limits.
Currently, the company offers the Carbon Cub SS in two models:
the factory built S-LSA (either as a one- or two-place aircraft)
and a kit E-LSA. Starting price for the factory built S-LSA is
$130,000. In addition, CubCrafters recently announced that both
amphibious and straight floats are currently available for the
Carbon Cub SS. Join Aero-TV as ANN's Jim Campbell talks about his
impressions of the Carbon Cub SS.
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