CubCrafters Carbon Cub SS / Sport Cub

CubCrafters started in 1980 in Yakima, Washington, originally repairing and modifying classic Cub aircraft. The company expanded into producing modernized Cub-derivative airplanes over the following decades. The Sport Cub launched in 2004 as one of the first dedicated Light Sport Aircraft designs, using a 100 hp Continental O-200 engine and meeting the LSA weight limits.

The Carbon Cub SS introduced in 2009 was the company's response to a specific market gap: pilots who wanted maximum performance within the LSA category. CubCrafters developed the CC340 engine specifically for this application: a 180 hp peak / 80 hp continuous power derivative of the ECi Titan O-340 family. The peak power rating allows extraordinary takeoff and climb performance while the continuous rating keeps the engine within thermal and mechanical limits at sustained cruise power.

The Carbon Cub family expanded into multiple variants over the 2010s and 2020s, including the kit-built Carbon Cub EX in the experimental category and the Part 23 certified XCub for buyers wanting traditional certification. As of mid-2026, CubCrafters remains the dominant modern Cub manufacturer with continued production from Yakima. The Sport Cub variant continues at lower volume for buyers who want the LSA economics without the Carbon Cub price tag.

The Carbon Cub SS has takeoff performance that defines what the LSA category can do. Sea-level takeoff distance at gross weight is under 200 feet. Climb at sea level exceeds 2,100 fpm at 80 knots indicated. The airplane can clear a 50-foot obstacle in under 400 feet of ground roll. No certified backcountry airplane in any category does what the Carbon Cub does on short fields.

Cruise is moderate. The CC340's 80 hp continuous rating produces 105 to 115 KTAS at long-range power settings, burning 4.5 to 5.5 gph. Higher cruise speeds are possible at higher power settings but with significantly increased fuel burn. The airplane is happiest in slow flight, takeoff, and climb regimes rather than high-speed cross-country cruise.

Useful load is the LSA constraint. A Carbon Cub SS at 1,320-pound MTOW with full fuel (24 gallons, 144 pounds) and the typical equipped weight has about 400 to 440 pounds of useful load for occupants. That fits one normal-size pilot plus a passenger of similar size with light bags. The airplane is designed for missions where the pilot wants extreme STOL capability rather than maximum payload.

The CubCrafters CC340 is purpose-built for the Carbon Cub SS application. It's a 180 hp peak / 80 hp continuous derivative of the ECi Titan O-340 cylinder design. The dual-rating structure is essential: the LSA category limits the airplane to 1,320 pounds and a sustainable horsepower output that keeps the engine within reliable thermal limits. CC340 published TBO is 2,400 hours.

Field overhaul of a CC340 runs $25,000 to $40,000 in 2026 at CubCrafters or an authorized service center. Top overhauls between TBOs are uncommon. The engine has been in service since 2009 and most early-production engines have not yet reached TBO, so the historical overhaul economics are still developing.

The Sport Cub variant uses a Continental O-200-A (100 hp). Lycoming-clone shops handle O-200 overhauls routinely at $20,000 to $30,000 in 2026. The O-200 has a published TBO of 1,800 hours per Continental SIL.

Propeller on both variants is a fixed-pitch metal Sensenich. Fixed-pitch props are zero-maintenance on a calendar basis and overhaul on condition runs $1,000 to $2,000.

The Carbon Cub SS is the most expensive LSA to acquire but a moderately-priced airplane to operate per hour thanks to the LSA category's Light Sport Repairman maintenance privileges.

Fuel runs $26 to $38 per hour at $5.50 to $7 per gallon and 4.5 to 5.5 gph at long-range cruise. Engine reserve is $10 to $17 per hour on the CC340. Prop reserve is under $1 per hour. Airframe maintenance reserve is $10 to $18 per hour, lower than typical because LSA owners with the LSRM-Maintenance certificate can do most of their own maintenance work. All-in at 100 hours a year runs $80 to $115 per hour, plus $3,500 to $7,000 in annual fixed costs.

The LSRM-M (Light Sport Repairman Maintenance) certificate is the key economic lever. It requires a 120-hour training course and authorizes the holder to perform most maintenance and annual condition inspections on Light Sport Aircraft they own. Roughly 60% of Carbon Cub SS owners get the LSRM-M certificate. For those who don't, A&P maintenance and annual inspection adds $1,500 to $3,000 a year to operating cost.

Acquisition cost in mid-2026 runs $185,000 to $235,000 for a clean used Carbon Cub SS. Factory new from CubCrafters lists around $275,000 to $325,000 depending on equipment. The Sport Cub trades at meaningful discount: $95,000 to $135,000 for used examples, $175,000 to $225,000 new. The Carbon Cub commands a real premium for its performance.