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\nIn truth, the FAA uses the word \u201cexperimental\u201d to describe a category of aircraft that are issued airworthiness certificates separate from\u00a0FAR Part 23. There are\u00a0eight\u00a0experimental certificates\u00a0including\u00a0<\/strong>Exhibition,\u00a0Market Survey,\u00a0Air Racing, and of course, Amateur-Built,\u00a0which is the category\u00a0into which\u00a0kit\u00a0aircraft fit.<\/strong>\u00a0Despite the plain-English distinction from the FAA, there is a lingering and unfair stigma attached to the word \u201cexperimental”.<\/p>\n But\u00a0things are\u00a0changing.\u00a0CubCrafters\u2019 product line includes\u00a0Part 23 certified, LSA, and Experimental Amateur Built (E-AB) aircraft.\u00a0In the 10 years we\u2019ve\u00a0offered\u00a0all three categories,\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0a\u00a0seen significant\u00a0shift\u00a0in the understanding\u00a0of, and thus\u00a0the\u00a0perception\u00a0of, experimental category aircraft ownership.\u00a0Today\u00a0many of our aircraft buyers\u00a0contend they will never own anything else because of the increased latitude allowed by experimental certification.<\/p>\n CubCrafters offers two paths to experimental ownership. Our Carbon Cub kits are\u00a0essentially the\u00a0same as our production aircraft, which puts them among the safest and highest performing adventure aircraft available.\u00a0Now,\u00a0we\u2019ll admit that\u00a0not everyone is\u00a0prepared to invest the time and energy required to build a kit, but no one can deny the\u00a0pride and satisfaction\u00a0instilled in builders who finish and fly\u00a0their own airplane.\u00a0Further, it is fair to say that kit builders have an intimate familiarity with their bird that few production airplane buyers enjoy.<\/p>\n For those aspiring to experimental ownership but unable to commit to a kit,\u00a0CubCrafters also offers a fascinating alternative. Our Carbon Cub FX (Factory eXperimental) builder assist program walks builders through the fabrication of the airplane parts themselves in a brisk five days. After\u00a0the\u00a0parts undergo quality assurance inspections, we use them to assemble\u00a0a\u00a0shiny new Carbon Cub.\u00a0FX\u00a0airplanes\u00a0are\u00a0assembled\u00a0by the same skilled technicians who build our production aircraft, thereby eliminating any apprehension builders may have about their own skills.\u00a0Having paid a visit to our factory and walked through the builder assist program, FX builders share in the satisfaction of the build and heightened pride of ownership.<\/p>\n Another\u00a0advantage to experimental owners is the ability to maintain\u00a0their\u00a0aircraft. This can save money and may also provide a logistical benefit if there are no A&Ps nearby. Owners may also use experimental aircraft within an expanded operational envelope, flying in IFR conditions for example, if the airplane is appropriately equipped.<\/p>\n From CubCrafters\u2019 perspective, the most significant benefit to experimental owners is the ability to update your airplane with the newest equipment that offers the best safety, highest performance, and greatest reliability.\u00a0Manufacturers\u00a0of these components may not invest\u00a0in obtaining TSOs or other certification.\u00a0When new\u00a0technologies\u00a0are introduced you can install them, no waiting,\u00a0rather than\u00a0hoping for possible STC, TSO, or incorporation into the airframe\u2019s\u00a0type\u00a0certificate.<\/p>\n New LED lighting packages dramatically improve a pilot\u2019s ability to see the runway in low light. Bright LED strobes make your airplane more visible to other aircraft. The systems generally draw less power and are maintenance free. Modern LED packages weigh less too\u2026 an important consideration for the CubCrafters community. New lights are easily retrofitted and affordable.<\/p>\n Avionics, like all electronic technologies, evolve at a break-neck pace and new systems provide greater capabilities at ever lower prices. It makes sense that flyers want the newest instrumentation in their cockpit and modern EFIS displays deliver tremendous situational awareness along with improved ergonomics in the cockpit. Systems usually include state-of-the-art engine monitoring and warning capabilities, and an integrated autopilot might also be available. Upgrading to the newest glass cockpit is comparatively inexpensive in an experimental. The same\u00a0upgrade path may not even be available in some Part 23 certified airplanes.<\/p>\n Since CubCrafters airplanes specialize in off-airport operations, we\u2019re particularly interested in\u00a0the newest tires and\u00a0recent advances in landing gear design. While traditional bungee gear is reliable and effective, new suspension systems, combined with low-pressure Tundra tires,\u00a0reduce bounce, stabilize ground control, and improve brake response on fast and\/or short landings. Aftermarket landing gear may improve safety and handling\u00a0for inexperienced pilots and\u00a0allow off-airport veterans to get the most out of their experimental airplane.<\/p>\n In summary, there are\u00a0four significant\u00a0benefits to experimental aircraft ownership to consider:<\/p>\n If you are like many airplane buyers who insist on owning a Part 23 certified airplane and want to enjoy the wilderness with the CubCrafters community, our XCub will fulfill your mission. If, however, you want your Cub to remain on the leading edge of technologies that assure the highest safety and performance, either the Carbon Cub EX kits or FX builder assist aircraft may be your ticket to ADVENTURE FURTHER.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cubcrafters.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/G3X-Panel-2-1024x671.jpg\")
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