Meet the XCub, The Adventure Junkie’s Dream
If most airplanes are like office workers flying from one big airport to another the CubCrafters XCub is that wild cousin who lives in the mountains, wrestles bears, and still shows up to family dinners looking cool. This little bush plane isn’t about sipping champagne at 40,000 feet. Nope. The XCub wants dirt strips, riversides, and mountain ridges. Basically, anywhere a normal plane says, “No way,” the XCub says, “Hold my propeller.”
The Specs: Small Size, Big Attitude
Don’t let its cute name fool you. This machine is no toy it’s a serious backcountry weapon.
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Engine: Lycoming IO-390, pumping out 215 horsepower like strapping a rocket to a bicycle, but safer
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Cruise Speed: Around 145 mph fast enough to get you to the fishing hole before your friends
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Range: Over 800 miles plenty to escape civilization or your in-laws
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Takeoff Distance: Under 200 feet yep, it can basically launch from your backyard (please check local laws first)
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Landing Distance: Even shorter because gravity loves this thing
The XCub is like a flying mountain goat: small, nimble, and capable of going places that make airline pilots break into a cold sweat.
What Makes It Special? Short. Takeoff. And. Landing.
The magic of the XCub is in its STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) abilities. Forget runways this airplane laughs in the face of asphalt. Gravel bars? Fine. Grass strips? Child’s play. Sandbars? Absolutely. If you can imagine it, there’s a good chance the XCub can land there. Well… maybe not your neighbor’s roof. Unless your neighbor is super chill.
Cabin Comfort: Rugged Yet Cozy
Inside, the XCub isn’t a luxury lounge. But it’s comfy, functional, and surprisingly modern for a bush plane. Garmin glass cockpit? Check. Leather seats? Check. Cup holders? Of course because hydration matters, even when you’re dodging moose on landing.
Why Pilots Love It
Pilots adore the XCub for one reason: freedom. It’s not about getting to your destination fast it’s about getting anywhere. This plane is like owning a motorcycle with wings. Except it carries more gear, doesn’t require a helmet, and makes you look like a backcountry legend.
Plus, thanks to its lightweight carbon-fiber construction and beefy landing gear, the XCub can take a beating and still fly like a champ. Basically, it’s the Chuck Norris of bush planes.
Fun Facts (Because We Love Them)
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The XCub was designed for adventure junkies, not businessmen.
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It’s one of the few planes where “landing on a riverbank” is considered a normal day.
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XCub pilots often say, “If you’re not flying off the beaten path, you’re doing it wrong.”
Final Approach: Why We Love the XCub
The CubCrafters XCub is the ultimate escape machine. It’s not about speed, luxury, or Instagram likes (okay, maybe a little). It’s about going where others can’t and looking awesome while doing it. If you want an airplane that makes airports irrelevant, this is your ride.
Because life is short, and your runway should be too.
