Cub Crafters Cc11-160

Single Piston

The Cub Crafters Carbon Cub EX represents a modern reinvention of the legendary Piper J-3 Cub lineage, built entirely from scratch as a 21st-century backcountry aircraft rather than a mere restoration. Introduced in the mid-2000s and continuously refined, the Carbon Cub combines a welded steel-tube fuselage with carbon-fiber cowling, wing struts, and fairings to shed weight while preserving the classic taildragger silhouette. Powered by a 180-horsepower CC340 engine (a certified variant of the Superior XP-360), the EX variants deliver a power-to-weight ratio and short-field performance that far exceed the original Cub: takeoff rolls under 100 feet and climb rates exceeding 1,800 feet per minute are routine, making it a favorite for Alaska bush pilots, mountain flying, and remote-strip operations. The CC11-160 designation covers the EX-2 and EX-3 models, both certified under FAA Part 23 (not experimental amateur-built) and eligible for commercial use including flight training and charter. Standard features include 31-inch Alaskan Bushwheel tundra tires, extended-range fuel tanks, and a gross weight of 1,865 pounds, nearly double the original Cub's useful load. The panel accommodates modern avionics including glass displays, though many owners opt for traditional steam gauges to preserve the minimalist backcountry ethos. With a cruise speed around 100 knots and a stall speed below 40 knots in landing configuration, the Carbon Cub occupies a unique niche: fast enough for cross-country travel, slow and strong enough to land on sandbars, glaciers, and mountain ridges where few other aircraft dare. SkyMeter has tracked 448 flights across 156 airframes and 147 operators, with BACON AIR LLC the largest observed operator.