CubCrafters CC11-160 Carbon Cub SS
The CubCrafters CC11-160 Carbon Cub SS is an ASTM certified light-sport aircraft based on the Piper J-3 Cub manufactured by Cub Crafters. It is modernized, with light-weight carbon fiber components and a 180 hp engine.[2]
CC11-160 Carbon Cub SS | |
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Carbon Cub SS | |
Role | Light-sport aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Cub Crafters |
Introduction | 2007 Alaska State Aviation Trade Show and Conference |
Unit cost |
From $189,990 As of June 2016[1] |
Developed from | CubCrafters CC11-100 Sport Cub S2, Piper J-3 Cub. |
In January 2016 the Carbon Cub was named AVweb's "Airplane of the Year" for 2015.[3]
Development
The Carbon Cub SS was originally named the "CubCrafters Super Sport Cub".[4] In order to maintain certification under American Light Sport Aircraft limitations the maximum takeoff power is limited to five minutes.
Design
The Carbon Cub SS uses a carbon fiber spinner and air-induction scoop. The Carbon Cub weighs 300 pounds (140 kg) less than a Piper PA-18 Super Cub.[5] The carbon cowling weighs six pounds (2.7 kg).[6] The fuselage is welded SAE 4130 chrome-molybdenum steel tubing with fabric covering. The wings are fitted with vortex generators for low-speed flight control. Some models use a partial color on silver base coat paint job that weighs 11 pounds (5.0 kg) less than an all-color paint job.
The CC340 engine, based on the Lycoming O-320, is developed with Engine Components International, Inc. (ECi),[7] using dual electronic ignition and ECi O-320 cylinders.[6] The engine is rated at 5 US gallons (19 litres) per hour fuel consumption at an 80 horsepower (60 kW) cruise setting.
- An early Carbon Cub SS on tundra tires
- Fuselage of a CubCrafters Carbon Cub
- Carbon Cub interior with an iPad (displaying a nautical chart)
- Carbon Cub SS under maintenance
Variants
- CubCrafters CC11-100 Sport Cub S2
- An O-200 powered LSA variant[2]
- CubCrafters Carbon Cub EX
- An experimental kit variant of the Carbon Cub SS with a gross weight of 1,865 lb (846 kg).[8]
Specifications (Carbon Cub SS)
Data from Flying
General characteristics
- Capacity: 2
- Length: 22.75 ft (6.93 m)
- Wingspan: 34.25 ft (10.44 m)
- Height: 9.25 ft (2.82 m)
- Wing area: 171.9 sq ft (15.97 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 5.2-1
- Airfoil: USA35(B)
- Empty weight: 896 lb (399 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,320 lb (599 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 24 gallons usable in 25 gallon tank
- Powerplant: 1 × CC340 horizontally-opposed piston engine, 180 hp (130 kW) for maximum of 5 minutes, 80 hp continuous. The short term increased output is suitable for short field takeoff and initial higher rate of climb. In level flight, 80 hp produces 76.3% of the speed produced by 180 hp, the cube root of 80/180.
- Propellers: 2-bladed CATTO composite propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 88 kn (101 mph, 163 km/h) Vno, the boundary between green and yellow on the airspeed indicator.
- Stall speed: 27 kn (31 mph, 50 km/h) out of ground effects, without assistance of engine power, with full flaps (35 kn without use of flaps).
- Never exceed speed: 123 kn (141 mph, 227 km/h) Vne, boundary between yellow and red on the airspeed indicator, achievable in powered flight pitched for dive with 1G wing loading in smooth air.
- Range: 390 nmi (450 mi, 720 km) maximum, using 24.0 gal of fuel, with 1.0 gal unusable remaining in tank, with no reserve fuel.
- Ferry range: 650 nmi (750 mi, 1,210 km) with increased fuel capacity of optional extended range fuel tank.
- Service ceiling: 17,999 ft (5,486 m)
- Rate of climb: 2,100 ft/min (11 m/s) using 180 hp, no flaps, below gross weight.
- Wing loading: 7.37 lb/sq ft (36.0 kg/m2)
- Thrust/weight: 7.33 per hp
References
- "How to Buy 2016 Carbon Cub SS". Cub Crafters. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16, page 42. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. ISSN 1368-485X
- "AVweb's Stuff of the Year". avweb.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
- "CubCrafters Super Sport Cub Becomes Carbon Cub SS". Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
- "King Kong "Little" Cub". Plane and Pilot. August 2010.
- Charles, Michael Maya (October 2010). "Carbon Cub SS". Aircraft. Flying. Bonnier Corporation. ISSN 0015-4806. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- Continental Motors, Inc. purchased Danbury Aerospace in 2015, of which Engine Components International, Inc. in San Antonio, Texas, was a division.
- Vandermeullen, Richard: 2012 Kit Aircraft Buyer's Guide, Kitplanes, Volume 28, Number 12, December 2011, page 49. Belvoir Publications. ISSN 0891-1851