A New Chapter in Backcountry Aviation
Renowned for its specialized backcountry aircraft, CubCrafters has officially expanded its portfolio into the turbine engine segment. The manufacturer recently announced that its latest model, the Carbon Cub ULT, is scheduled for a public unveiling at the EAA AirVenture event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, later this month. Currently, the aircraft is in the final stages of flight testing at the company's headquarters in Yakima, Washington.
Technical Innovation and Performance
The Carbon Cub ULT is described as a significant evolution of the existing Carbon Cub UL platform. It integrates regenerative turbine technology, aiming to provide the efficiency of modern sport aviation alongside the reliability and smoothness associated with turbine power. A key feature of this aircraft is the new TurboTech TP-R90 engine, which offers fuel economy and reliability comparable to its piston-powered predecessor.
According to the manufacturer, this model holds a unique position in the market. It is the first turboprop aircraft produced in the United States that qualifies for operation by sport pilots under the FAA’s latest MOSAIC regulations, requiring no specific type rating or additional endorsements.
Simplified Operations
The cockpit experience has been streamlined to enhance safety and ease of use. Equipped with full FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control), the aircraft offers simple push-button starting and a single-lever power management system. Regarding the user experience, Brad Damm, Vice President of CubCrafters, stated:
«Despite the turbine engine, it still feels like a Carbon Cub, just with a very different powerplant experience. The simplicity is probably what impresses people the most. There's no mixture, no carb heat, no concerns about shock cooling, and engine management is dramatically simplified. Start it, set the power you want, and go fly.»
Strategic Fuel Considerations
The decision to utilize a turbine powerplant was driven by global accessibility and the future of aviation fuel. Damm noted that 100LL avgas is increasingly difficult to source or prohibitively expensive in regions outside of North America. Furthermore, domestic availability of Jet-A often exceeds that of leaded fuel in many parts of the U.S. By adopting Jet-A, CubCrafters is positioning its aircraft to align with the aviation industry's broader transition away from leaded fuels as the decade concludes.
The company has indicated that the first customer deliveries of the Carbon Cub ULT are slated for 2027.