The Carbon Cub EX is a lightweight composite multi-purpose aircraft, developed by the American aircraft manufacturing company CubCrafters, Inc., based in Yakima, Washington. It represents a “builder’s version” of the well-known light sport aircraft Carbon Cub SS, which is itself a modern variant of the famous Piper PA-18 Super Cub. This aircraft was first introduced in 2008, with serial production commencing two years later.
This two-seater aircraft boasts an extraordinary thrust-to-weight ratio, achieved through the extensive use of carbon fiber combined with a 180-horsepower ECi CC340 engine. As a result, the Carbon Cub EX offers excellent short takeoff and landing (STOL) characteristics, alongside good handling and exceptional durability.
Engine Options and Performance
For alternative propulsion, various piston engines ranging from 100 to 180 hp can be utilized. Examples include the 100-horsepower four-cylinder Continental O-200 or the 180-horsepower four-cylinder Lycoming O-360.
The aircraft’s cruise speed is 234 km/h, with a climb rate at ground level of 11 m/s. The machine can reach an altitude of 2300 meters in less than 5 minutes. Certification for this model will be conducted in two weight categories. For use as an LSA (Light Sport Aircraft), the maximum takeoff weight is set at 597 kg, while for a standard aircraft for personal needs, it is 843 kg. The cost for a complete kit is $65,000.
Available Variants
The aircraft is produced in four main variants. The Carbon Cub EX-2 is a do-it-yourself assembly kit featuring the CC340 engine. The Carbon Cub EX-3, introduced in 2017, is also a do-it-yourself assembly kit, equipped with a 186-horsepower CC363i engine produced by CubCrafters in collaboration with Superior Air Parts and Aero Sport Power, and features modified fuselage and wings that allow for an increased useful load of up to 452 kg. The Carbon Cub FX-2 and FX-3 variants are ready-to-fly products, analogous to the EX-2 and EX-3 models, respectively.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Carbon Cub EX-3 |
| Wingspan, m | 10.46 |
| Aircraft length, m | 7.26 |
| Aircraft height, m | 2.54 |
| Wing area, m2 | 16.60 |
| Empty weight | 464 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 907 |
| Fuel, l | 200 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Superior Air Parts CC363i |
| Power, hp | 1 x 186 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 233 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 217 |
| Practical range, km | 1231 |
| Rate of climb, m/min | 732 |
| Crew, crew | 1 |
| Payload: | 1 passenger |
Image gallery of the Carbon Cub EX
