CubCrafters has officially decided to certify and offer a nosewheel option for its CC-19 XCub. The decision comes after the completion of a yearlong public market survey effort designed to judge potential customer acceptance for the new version. The tricycle gear option is currently available on experimental XCubs through the company’s Builder Assist program and CubCrafters hopes to achieve FAA Part 23 certification for the nosewheel-equipped “NX” Cub in early 2021.
“Putting a nosewheel on a modern Cub type aircraft certainly surprised some people, but the overwhelming public response has been positive, especially among the more than 300 pilots that have had the opportunity to fly the airplane during the Market Survey phase,” said CubCrafters Vice President of Sales and Marketing Brad Damm. “A nosewheel-equipped XCub is a very easy airplane to fly that takes off shorter, lands shorter, and cruises faster than the tailwheel version.”
As previously reported in AVweb, the XCub received its FAA certification in June 2016. Last year, CubCrafters introduced a new 215-HP CC393i fuel-injected engine and high-performance PathFinder three-bladed composite propeller for the aircraft. When equipped with the 180-HP Lycoming O-360-C1G engine, the XCub has a useful load of 1084 pounds, top speed of 153 MPH and range of 800 miles.
Nothing is sacred anymore.
It’s not new, which underscores why it will fail. Since we do not see rag wing tail draggers at our local airports then there is no market for rag wing taildraggers. Marketing ignored reality.
Ah, my fail! Meant to say nose dragger. I could not find a way to edit my response. Sorry.
Nose gear today, autonomous tomorrow. That should make YARS happy.
Thousands of non-pilots cavorting about in autonomous nose-dragging Cubs?
Yeah – I’d smile at that. 😉
Author states, “The tricycle gear option is currently available on experimental XCubs through the company’s Builder Assist program”.
What? Cub Crafters has an experimental model of the XCub available through customer build program? I thought XCub was strictly Part 23 certified bird. That option peaks my interest.
Would this be the Tri-Pacer of the 21st century?
That was my first thought when I looked at the photo.
I wonder how a larger nose gear tire and structure, without a fairing, and a more forward CG, is faster than the tail wheel version.
“ZACKLY ” says the greenhorn as he aspires between endless Google searches.
🙂
I wondered about the same thing….faster??
The nosewheel XCub will have 215 HP standard instead of 180 HP. I’m betting that the same engine in the tailwheel XCub will be faster.
I want one. a) it looks better than the Tri-Pacer, which wasn’t a bad airplane; b) in country with lots of near-ground turbulence and cross winds, this plane is likely to have fewer landing mishaps and lower insurance costs.
Why?
Having been involved in the V-Twin motorcycle world for many decades, the “hard core bikers” always balk when something new comes out. When rear suspension came out: “Real bikers ride hardtails.” When electric start came out: “Real bikers kick their engines to life and don’t push a button.” When electronic ignition replaced points: “Real bikers change points on the side of the road.” When the Evolution, which was arguably Harley’s best engine, replaced the Shovelhead: “Real bikers don’t ride those Blockheads.” And on it has gone through EFI, ABS, cruise control, et al. While I still have an old-tech bike, 95% of my riding is on my modern bike.
When I nearly purchased a Rans S6 kit almost a decade ago, I priced insurance through EAA, and the tailwheel insurance was exactly double that of the trike. Unfortunately, job losses caused me to cancel the order, and Randy Schlitter was gracious enough to refund my deposit. Admittedly, I would have gone with the tailwheel, but I am pleased to see another option to get more people into our dwindling hobby, because as our pilot population decreases, so will our political power.
Boogie — I recognize that I am replying to an old comment, but…
EXACTLY!
I have been guilty of it myself over the years. EFI comes to mind in particular.
After much debate, I’ve ordered a tricycle-gear xCub. Landing one in a nasty cross-wind sold me. (I’ve met enough TD pilots to say with confidence, I don’t care much whether they think I’m cool. The “swipe rights” in that group are few and far between. Har har. I’m pretty much too old to be cool anyway.)