CubCrafters CC19 XCub

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

CubCrafters CC19 XCub: Quick overview

What is it
The CubCrafters CC19 XCub is an American light aircraft designed and built by CubCrafters in Yakima, Washington. It was introduced in June 2016 and is sold as a complete, ready-to-fly airplane. It’s known for backcountry capability, simple handling, and strong off-airport performance.

Development
The XCub line grew from CubCrafters’ Carbon Cub EX. Development ran secretly from 2010 to 2016 and culminated in FAA type certification in June 2016. The aircraft has since been certified in Europe, Canada, and Japan, with FAA primary certification awarded in 2019. The design emphasizes high strength, carbon fiber use, and lightweight construction.

Design and construction
- configuration: high-wing, two seats in tandem, enclosed cockpit with doors
- landing gear: fixed, either conventional (taildragger) or nosewheel (depending on model)
- structure: welded 4130 steel tubing with fabric-covered flying surfaces
- wing: strut-braced, 34.3 ft span, 174.8 sq ft wing area, includes flaps
- propulsion: standard 180 hp Lycoming O-360-C1 engine driving a Hartzell Trailblazer propeller (constant-speed)
- controls: torque tubes for flight controls; aileron tubes run inside the V-struts
- versatility: can be fitted with floats; gear can be converted between conventional and nosewheel configurations with two people and about four hours of work
- materials and finish: designed for durability and off-road use, with carbon fiber content contributing to performance and weight

Variants
- CC19-180 XCub: certified conventional-gear model with 180 hp Lycoming O-360
- CC19-215 XCub: certified conventional-gear model with 215 hp Lycoming IO-390
- CC19-215 NXCub: certified nosewheel (tricycle) version with 215 hp IO-390
- CCX-2300 Experimental NXCub: experimental nosewheel model with 215 hp IO-390

Specifications (XCub) – general characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 23 ft 10 in (7.26 m)
- Wingspan: 34 ft 4 in (10.46 m)
- Height: 8 ft 4 in (2.54 m)
- Wing area: 174.8 sq ft (16.24 m2)
- Empty weight: 1,216 lb (552 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,300 lb (1,043 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 49 US gallons (about 190 L)
- Powerplant: Lycoming O-360-C1, 180 hp
- Propeller: Hartzell Trailblazer, constant-speed

Performance
- Maximum speed: around 153 mph (246 km/h)
- Cruise speed: about 145 mph (233 km/h)
- Stall speed: roughly 39 mph (63 km/h)
- Never exceed speed (VNE): about 167 mph (269 km/h)
- Range: about 800 miles (1,300 km)
- Endurance: around 6 hours
- Service ceiling: up to 14,000 ft (4,300 m)
- Rate of climb: about 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s)

Operational history highlights
- Reviews from 2016 noted strong range and backcountry capability, with praise for long endurance and versatile performance at economical cruise speeds.
- Early pilots appreciated the XCub’s handling and clever cabin layout, though some noted experimentation with flap design and pitch changes during flap deployment.
- By 2016–2017, CubCrafters announced solid sales at major events, highlighting the XCub’s appeal for off-airport flying.
- The later NXCub variant (nosewheel) was praised in kit-plane circles for offering a more familiar, easier entry for pilots used to tricycle gear, while keeping strong off-pavement capability.

For more information
Official CubCrafters XCub page and related reviews provide detailed specs, flight tests, and certification history.