A Revolutionary Turbine-Powered Backcountry Aircraft Designed for the MOSAIC Era
CubCrafters Vice President Brad Damm flies the new Carbon Cub ULT over the pine-covered foothills of Washington’s Cascade Mountains during flight testing near the company’s headquarters in Yakima, WA.
YAKIMA, Washington — July 7, 2026 — CubCrafters is proud to announce the new Carbon Cub ULT, an innovative turboprop-powered evolution of the company’s popular Carbon Cub UL platform. Designed to combine the simplicity and efficiency of modern sport aviation with the smooth power and reliability of turbine technology, the Carbon Cub ULT represents a major step forward in lightweight backcountry aircraft design.
The aircraft’s name is also a nod to the Carbon Cub UL program itself. The original “UL” designation reflected the aircraft’s focus on lightweight performance and unleaded fuel compatibility. The new “UL’T” branding builds on that legacy by adding “T” for turbine — while also representing what CubCrafters believes is the ULTimate evolution of the backcountry Carbon Cub platform.
The Carbon Cub ULT is powered by the new TurboTech TP-R90 regenerative turbine engine, an advanced FADEC-controlled turboprop engine that delivers turbine smoothness and operational simplicity while achieving fuel economy comparable to the gasoline-powered version of the Carbon Cub UL. The engine brings easy-to-maintain turboprop reliability to a new generation of recreational aircraft, combining exceptional durability with simplified operation and reduced maintenance requirements.
The Carbon Cub ULT cockpit combines advanced Garmin avionics, a dedicated turbine engine display, and full FADEC controls to deliver a remarkably simple flying experience. With push-button starting and single-lever power management, pilots can focus on the adventure rather than engine management.
The TP-R90’s fully integrated Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system eliminates traditional fuel and propeller management, providing pilots with an exceptionally simple and intuitive operating experience. Like the Carbon Cub UL, the ULT benefits from CubCrafters’ latest generation of performance-enhancing airframe improvements, including advanced aerodynamic refinements, lightweight composite construction, and the exceptional short-field capability that has made the Carbon Cub the benchmark for backcountry aircraft worldwide.
Starting the Carbon Cub ULT is as simple as turning on the master switch and pressing the start button. The FADEC system automatically manages fuel flow, ignition, engine temperatures, and propeller operation throughout the start sequence and flight envelope, eliminating many of the procedures traditionally associated with both piston and turbine aircraft.
The Carbon Cub ULT is also the first U.S.-manufactured turboprop aircraft eligible to be flown by Sport Pilots under the FAA’s new MOSAIC regulations — representing a major milestone in the evolution of recreational aviation.
At the heart of the Carbon Cub ULT is the TurboTech TP-R90 regenerative turboprop engine—a revolutionary new powerplant that combines turbine smoothness and reliability with remarkable fuel efficiency, durability, and ease of operation, redefining what pilots can expect from turbine-powered flight.
“The Carbon Cub ULT represents some of the most advanced engineering work ever undertaken at CubCrafters,” said Patrick Horgan, President and CEO of CubCrafters. “Bringing together regenerative turbine technology, full FADEC controls, lightweight composite construction, and our proven STOL capability into a practical backcountry aircraft demanded an incredible amount of focused innovation and refinement from our team. The result is an aircraft that combines the excitement and refinement of turbine power with the simplicity and accessibility that have always defined the Carbon Cub.”
“We are extremely proud to be working with CubCrafters as our launch partner in the United States,” said Damien Fauvet, CEO of TurboTech. “CubCrafters has an exceptional reputation for innovation and engineering excellence in backcountry aviation, and the Carbon Cub ULT is an ideal platform to demonstrate the capabilities of the TP-R90 engine. Together, we believe we are introducing a new generation of efficient, practical, turbine-powered recreational aircraft.”
“The Carbon Cub ULT demonstrates what’s possible when cutting-edge turbine technology is paired with one of the most proven and capable lightweight backcountry aircraft platforms in the world,” said Brad Damm, Vice President of CubCrafters. “The first thing pilots notice is how effortless the airplane feels,” said Brad Damm. “You push and hold the start button for a few seconds and the aircraft is ready to go fly. The FADEC handles the details, the turbine is incredibly smooth and quiet, and the aircraft retains the lightweight performance and responsiveness that pilots love about the Carbon Cub. It’s one of those airplanes that makes you look for excuses to go flying.”
The Carbon Cub ULT has been undergoing active flight testing at the company headquarters in Yakima, Washington, where the program continues to validate performance and refine the aircraft ahead of its public debut. CubCrafters will officially showcase the Carbon Cub ULT this summer at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI, where attendees will have their first opportunity to see the aircraft in person. The company is accepting customer deposits for ULT production positions, with initial customer deliveries expected in 2027, as it prepares for the MOSAIC era and the next generation of high-performance recreational aviation.
For additional information, visit the CubCrafters website or stop by the CubCrafters exhibit at booths 272-274 during EAA AirVenture 2026.
About CubCrafters
Founded in 1980 by Jim Richmond, CubCrafters has its roots in classic grassroots aviation history while delivering modern, innovative aircraft. We design and manufacture Experimental, LSA, and Certified planes known for exceptional backcountry performance. Our Carbon Cub family redefines the flying experience with advanced materials, powerful engines, and modern design. The flagship XCub expands backcountry capability with greater speed, range, and payload than others in its class. We modernize classic aircraft designs with cutting-edge engineering, lighter composites, upgraded avionics, and improved safety—combining tradition with top-tier performance. Our newest UL-class aircraft brings next-gen engine and airframe tech to the field, minimizing environmental impact without sacrificing capability. The key to our success is delivering unmatched value in personal adventure aviation.
For more information about CubCrafters, visit our website at: www.cubcrafters.com
About TurboTech
TurboTech is a French aerospace company developing a new generation of turbine propulsion systems for light aircraft. Its flagship TP-R90 engine combines patented regenerative turbine technology with full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) to deliver turbine smoothness, reliability, and operational simplicity while achieving fuel consumption comparable to many modern piston engines. Developed specifically for light aircraft applications, the TP-R90 provides push-button starting, single-lever power control, simplified maintenance, and exceptional efficiency by recovering and reusing heat energy that would otherwise be lost through the exhaust. Through partnerships with leading aircraft manufacturers worldwide, TurboTech is helping bring practical, affordable turbine power to the next generation of recreational and utility aircraft, with the Carbon Cub ULT serving as the company’s first production aircraft partnership in the United States.
For more information about TurboTech, please visit: www.turbotech-aero.com
What’s the fuel burn and fuel load?
What’s the empty weight and MGTOW, and useful load with fuel?