Experimenter is a magazine created by EAA for people who build airplanes. We will report on amateur-built aircraft as well as ultralights and other light aircraft.
Issue link: http://experimenter.epubxp.com/i/118927
"Ever since soloing in a Cub, I have always loved tailwheel aircraft, especially the Cub. As nice as the J-3 is to fly, I really wanted more modern features—an electrical system, flying from the front seat, and a modern cockpit display." Tony's reasoning resonated with me. I made similar choices for similar reasons in my own projects, opting for less "experimental" and more "known quantity." The ability to choose everything from colors to electronics and have them integrated into a stable and proven design is appealing. As I gazed around Tony's hangar, it was clear that his passion for flying his J-3 and for assembling the airplane of his dreams was driving construction. Looking at the open parts crates, I asked Tony how he arrived at the decision to build the aircraft himself. Tony and Lisa. Several of Tony's avocations—woodworking and welding—gave him confidence when he first thought about building his own airplane. "I didn't even consider buying," he said. Where some builders are driven by the option to save money by paying as you build, Tony was driven by being able to assemble what he calls the "perfect combination" of features in the Carbon Cub—from a spectacular power-to-weight ratio with composite materials, to a modern and advanced electrical setup with glass cockpit instrumentation. "My choice needed to accommodate two adults with pets and plenty of baggage. It had to be slow enough to enjoy the scenery but fast enough to make a reasonable crosscountry. Flying off a grass strip and enjoying the mountain scenery is my primary joy. I also wanted to be able to convert from amateur-built to LSA to have an airplane I could age gracefully with," Tony said, flashing a happy grin. Te Carbon Cub EX in its crate upon arrival at Tony's hangar. Tony looked at a Mustang II, an RV, a Zenith, and the Rans S-19 before making his choice. He did not rush into it, and waited patiently for the ideas to gel. Tony said, "These were all beautiful aircraft kits that I had on my list; it was tough to decide." In 2006 Tony attended the EAA Sport Pilot Tour at Gwinnett County's Briscoe Field. "I only looked at two planes that day: the Legend Cub and the new CubCrafters Sport," he said. "Although the Legend was a nice, modern version of my J-3, the CubCrafters somehow tugged at me: perfect fit and finish, flaps, and impressive performance from the same engine as the Legend (180 hp). It was also being built by a company that also produced a Part 23 airplane (Top Cub), so you would have some assurance that the company would be there when you needed them. I decided then and there, if they ever offered a kit, I was going to build one." Photography courtesy Lisa Turner Planning his panel. EAA Experimenter 25