Design and Origins
The CHUBy CUBy is a light multipurpose aircraft manufactured by the American company Wag-Aero. American engineer Dick Wagner began designing the aircraft in the early 1980s, basing it on the PPA-14 Family Cruiser.
Essentially, the external design of the aircraft was completely copied from the PA-14 model. However, in terms of flight performance characteristics, both aircraft differed radically from each other. This distinction ensured the Wag-Aero CHUBy CUBy’s high popularity, which continues to this day.
Performance and Capabilities
The prototype aircraft first took to the air on May 8, 1982. Due to the alignment of its actual characteristics and properties with expectations, the aircraft was almost immediately launched into production. Its cabin can accommodate up to four people, including one pilot and three passengers, matching the Piper PA-14 model’s capacity.
If necessary, the CHUBy CUBy can also carry small loads, giving it an advantage over other light aircraft, which often lack this capability (especially considering versions produced for self-assembly). The powerplant consists of a single Lycoming O-360 four-cylinder, air-cooled piston engine.
This engine is capable of developing 180 hp, allowing the aircraft to accelerate to a cruising speed of 200 km/h (with a maximum of 216 km/h) and undertake flights over distances of up to 1080 kilometers.
Current Availability and Legacy
Currently, the aircraft is offered as a self-assembly kit under the Wag-Aero Sportsman 2+2 brand. Approximately 40 aircraft have been sold during serial production. As of 2020, a complete set of blueprints for assembling the Sportsman 2+2 could be purchased from the Wag-Aero company website for $135 USD.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Sportsman 2+2 |
| Wingspan, m | 10.90 |
| Length, m | 7.12 |
| Height, m | 1.96 |
| Wing area, m2 | 16.18 |
| Empty weight | 490 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 998 |
| Fuel, l | 148 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Lycoming O-360 |
| Power, hp | 1 x 180 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 216 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 200 |
| Practical range, km | 1080 |
| Maximum rate of climb, m/min | 246 |
| Practical ceiling, m | 4500 |
| Crew, crew members | 1 |
| Payload: | 3 passengers |
Image gallery of the Wag-Aero CHUBy CUBy
