What Cub Crafters does

CubCrafters is a Yakima, Washington-based aircraft manufacturer founded in 1980 by Jim Richmond that designs and builds modern backcountry/STOL aircraft derived from the Piper Super Cub platform. Its product portfolio spans the Light Sport Category (Carbon Cub UL with Rotax 916iS, Carbon Cub SS), Experimental Amateur-Built kits and builder-assist programs (Carbon Cub EX/FX, XCub/NXCub kits introduced in 2025), and Part 23 Certified factory-built aircraft (Top Cub, XCub), supported by Super Cub restoration, modern avionics upgrades, and more than 60 performance-enhancing STCs. The company holds an FAA Part 21 Production Certificate plus Part 23 Type Certificates and is the only LSA manufacturer operating from an FAA-certified facility, with international certifications from EASA, TCCA, JCAB, and CASA covering Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia.

The business sells through a hybrid channel mix: factory-direct sales from Yakima, a regional Certified Sales Center dealer network (including Four Corners Cubs and Adventure Flying LLC), an exclusive flight-training partnership with TacAero, a builder-assist program where customers spend 7 working days assembling aircraft at the factory, and an e-commerce parts and accessories store. Revenue streams include new aircraft sales, E-AB kit sales, parts and accessories, STC licensing, and aircraft restoration and modernization services. CubCrafters has shipped more than 1,000 production aircraft cumulatively and nearly 250 XCub/NXCub units by July 2025, with customer concentration spread across individual backcountry pilots, homebuilders, flight schools, government agencies such as the USDA, and international buyers across at least five continents. The company pursued SEC qualification in November 2022 but has not completed an IPO.

Name

Cub Crafters

Legal name

Cub Crafters, Inc.

Website

https://cubcrafters.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CubCrafters is a Yakima, Washington-based FAA-certified aircraft manufacturer founded in 1980 that designs, builds, and restores modern Piper Super Cub-derived backcountry aircraft (Carbon Cub, XCub/NXCub, Top Cub) for individual pilots, homebuilders, flight schools, and government customers across multiple continents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Backcountry Aircraft Manufacturing

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft (3721), Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Conversion & Modification (STC/Completions) (IMABAAAI), Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAJ), Engine Control, Fuel & Ignition Systems (FADEC/Accessories) (IMABADAK)

Keywords

• Backcountry aircraft
• Light sport aircraft
• Experimental aircraft kits
• STOL performance aircraft
• Super Cub modifications

Headquarters

HQ city

Yakima

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. New Aircraft Sales: Sale of factory-built aircraft including Carbon Cub SS (LSA), Carbon Cub FX (builder assist), Carbon Cub EX (kit), XCub/NXCub (Part 23 certified or kit), and Top Cub. Aircraft range from Light Sport to Part 23 certified categories.
2. Kit Sales: Sale of experimental amateur-built (E-AB) aircraft kits including Carbon Cub EX-2, EX-3, and newly introduced XCub/NXCub kits for homebuilders.
3. Aircraft Restoration and Services: Super Cub repairs, complete restorations, and modern avionics upgrades. The company offers full ground-up restorations with performance enhancements, digital avionics upgrades, and STC modifications.
4. Parts and Accessories: Sale of aircraft parts, mods, STCs, accessories, maintenance supplies, and branded merchandise through the CubCrafters Store e-commerce platform.
5. STC Licensing: Sale of Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for Super Cub modifications including the 2,300 lb gross weight increase STC, packaged with required upgraded parts and assemblies for third-party maintainers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cub Crafters designs, manufactures, and sells a family of modern backcountry aircraft spanning Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) kits, and Part 23 Certified categories. The product line includes the Carbon Cub UL, SS, FX, EX, and the flagship XCub/NXCub, all derived from the Piper Super Cub platform. The company also offers Super Cub restoration and avionics upgrade services, performance-enhancing STCs, parts and accessories through its online store, and partners with TacAero for flight training.

Product overview

CubCrafters designs and manufactures a family of modern backcountry aircraft spanning Experimental, Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), and Part 23 Certified categories. The product portfolio centers on the Carbon Cub family (Carbon Cub UL, SS, FX, EX) and flagship XCub/NXCub, all derived from the Piper Super Cub platform. The company offers multiple ownership pathways including factory-built, builder-assist (FX), and kit (EX/E-AB) programs. Supporting services include Super Cub repair/restoration with 60+ STCs, modern avionics upgrades, and the exclusive 2,300 lb gross weight STC for PA-18 aircraft. Products are sold through Certified Sales Centers with TacAero providing flight training. Recent additions include Summit Aircraft Skis (acquired) and infrared camera technology for Garmin G3X integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Carbon Cub: Family of lightweight sport aircraft featuring advanced carbon fiber construction, powerful engines, and exceptional backcountry STOL performance
• XCub
• NXCub
• Top Cub
• Carbon Cub UL

Products and services

• Carbon Cub UL Light Sport / Ultralight aircraft or E-AB (Builder Assist) featuring Rotax 916iS 160HP engine, 1,320 lbs gross weight, and multi-fuel capability (MOGAS and AVGAS). Designed for pilots entering backcountry flying.
• Carbon Cub SS Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) with CC340 180HP engine, lightweight and powerful design delivering breathtaking performance, 1,320 lbs gross weight.
• Carbon Cub FX E-AB (Builder Assist) aircraft with CC340 180HP or CC363i 186HP engine, 1,865-2,000 lbs gross weight, designed for longer missions with 7 working day factory assembly participation.
• Carbon Cub EX Experimental Aircraft Kit with fixed or constant speed prop, most complete kit available for homebuilders, 1,320-2,000 lbs gross weight.
• XCub Part 23 Certified or E-AB (Kit or Builder Assist) aircraft with O-360 180HP or CC393i 215HP engine, 2,300 lbs gross weight. The fastest and strongest Cub with unmatched range, cruise speeds exceeding 150 mph.
• NXCub Nosewheel version of XCub with trailing-link nosewheel assembly for more stress-free access to remote airstrips. Available in Part 23 Certified or E-AB kit form.
• Top Cub Part 23 Certified modern Super Cub with O-360 180HP engine, 2,300 lbs gross weight, combining classic utility with modern engineering.
• Pre-Owned Aircraft Pre-owned CubCrafters aircraft available through certified sales centers for buyers seeking existing inventory.
• Super Cub Repair and Restoration Services Full-service Super Cub repairs and complete ground-up restorations, with over 60 performance-enhancing STCs developed for PA-18 and similar legacy aircraft, including digital avionics upgrades and performance enhancements.
• Super Cub Modern Avionics Upgrade Complete digital avionics upgrade replacing legacy six-pack panels with all-glass instrument panels featuring full weather capability, ADS-B In/Out, integrated engine monitoring, and comprehensive flight information.
• PA-18 2,300 lb Gross Weight STC FAA-certified Supplemental Type Certificate increasing the gross weight of PA-18 Super Cub from 1,750 lbs to 2,300 lbs, including 180 HP engine, strengthened fuselage, new wings and landing gear, and vortex generators, available to third-party maintainers.
• Parts and Accessories Store Online store offering parts, mods and STCs, accessories, maintenance items, and apparel for CubCrafters aircraft.
• Flight Training Training through partner TacAero offering expert instruction in CubCrafters aircraft for tailwheel proficiency and backcountry flying skills.
• Summit Aircraft Skis Composite wheel skis acquired from Summit Aircraft Co., enabling year-round backcountry operations on snow.

Quantifiable outcome

• Deliveries exceeded 1,000 new production aircraft by December 2023
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Luke CzepielaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026Red Bull racing pilot collaborating with CubCrafters and RS Flight Systems on Carbon Cub UL performance software. Flying Carbon Cub UL in Red Bull livery.
• Four Corners Cubs (Ladd Klinglesmith)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 March 2026Certified Sales Center dealer for Southwest region covering Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. Based at Mack Mesa Airport in Grand Junction, Colorado. CFII and A&P mechanic with experience across all CubCrafters models.
• Adventure Flying LLC (Ray and Melisa Fowler)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 November 2025Certified Sales Center dealer for Mid-Atlantic region covering Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Both are Delta Airbus pilots and CFIIs. Ray Fowler is former F-35 pilot and FAA DPE.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Golden Eagles Flight Team)minorOthers · 24 July 2025Received first NXCub delivered to Embry-Riddle's Golden Eagles Flight Team at EAA AirVenture 2025.
• TacAerocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025Exclusive authorized flight training partner providing tailwheel and backcountry flying instruction. Operates full fleet of CubCrafters aircraft with courses developed in collaboration with CubCrafters team. Jeremy Young serves as president and has flown extensively with CubCrafters aircraft including floatplane operations.
• Bridger AerospaceminorOthers · 20 December 2023Customer receiving 1000th new production CubCrafters aircraft - a Certified CC19-215 XCub.
• Hood Tech AerocoreTechnology or Integration · 7 November 2023Developed thermal infrared imaging system for CubCrafters aircraft integrated with Garmin G3X avionics. Project Manager Brian Prange led development of smallest pixel pitch LWIR sensor in a compact, lightweight package.
• Hartzell PropellercoreTechnology or Integration · 7 July 2020Supplier of next-generation carbon fiber composite propellers. Trailblazer prop standard on XCub and Carbon Cub EX-3/FX-3. Pathfinder propeller offered as option on NXCub.
• Wipaire Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2018Manufacturer of Wipline 2100 amphibious and seaplane floats. FAA certified float installation on XCub type certificate. Extensive experience with XCub floatplane certification including both amphibious and seaplane configurations.
• Superior Air PartscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2017Supplier of core engine components for CC363i including tapered barrel Millennium cylinders, roller tappets, and counterweighted crankshaft. Long-time engine component partner.
• Aero Sport PowercoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2017Engine assembly and testing partner for CC363i using Superior components, Precision Airmotive Silver Hawk EX fuel injection, Lightspeed dual electronic ignition, and CubCrafters proprietary induction system and oil sump.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Aviat Aircraft: Aviat manufactures the Husky A-1C and Husky A-1B-200, the most direct head-to-head competitor to CubCrafters' Super Cub-derived aircraft. Both companies target the backcountry/STOL private pilot segment with similar payload, short-field performance, and tailwheel configurations.
• Maule Aircraft: Maule has built backcountry short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft since 1942 (M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7 series), competing directly with CubCrafters for STOL buyers, federal contracts (USDA/Fish & Wildlife), and the operator-owned bush aircraft segment.
• Just Aircraft: Just Aircraft produces the SuperSTOL line of high-performance STOL kit aircraft and the Highlander, targeting the same backcountry and homebuilder markets as CubCrafters' EX and FX programs. Direct overlap on tailwheel STOL performance claims and builder-assist offerings.
• Zenith Aircraft: Zenith designs and sells the STOL CH 750 and CH 801 kit aircraft—a major competitor in the backcountry kit and Light Sport category. Their factory-assisted builder programs mirror CubCrafters' FX approach and target an overlapping customer base.
• RANS Aircraft: RANS designs and sells kit-built light sport and experimental aircraft (S-6S Coyote, S-7S Courier, S-12 Airaile) that overlap with CubCrafters' SLSA and EX kit offerings in the recreational/homebuilder segment.
• WACO Classic Aircraft: WACO Classic Aircraft is a Part 23 certified classic-era aircraft manufacturer; CubCrafters' President Patrick Horgan was previously WACO's General Manager. Comparable in scale, vintage-derived certified aircraft positioning, and small-team operations.

Broad incumbents

• Piper Aircraft: Piper Aircraft is the original manufacturer of the Super Cub, on which CubCrafters' platform is built. As a much larger general aviation OEM, Piper competes broadly across the certified single-engine piston market while CubCrafters specializes in the Super Cub derivative niche.
• Textron Aviation (Cessna): Textron Aviation manufactures the Cessna 150/152 and 172 family—Light Sport and Part 23 certified aircraft that compete with CubCrafters' broad LSA/Part 23 certified product line for private pilot and training dollars at a much larger scale.

Emerging players

• Vashon Aircraft: Vashon Aircraft's Ranger R7 is an FAA-certified Light Sport kit aircraft, positioning them as a newer-generation competitor in the certified LSA space, with a kit/factory-build hybrid model that overlaps with CubCrafters' EX/FX programs.
• Flight Design USA: Flight Design is a German LSA/CTLS manufacturer certified in multiple jurisdictions; their products compete with CubCrafters' Carbon Cub SS in the Light Sport and trainer segments, especially relevant in the European market where CubCrafters is also expanding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CubCrafters

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cub Crafters