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Since its debut in 2016, CubCrafters’ XCub has been an industry-leading personal adventure aircraft, thrilling backcountry pilots around the world. With an original structural design inspired by the iconic Piper Super Cub, the XCub offers remarkable STOL performance, generous useful load, class defining speed and cross-country range. Now, the versatile aircraft is getting an upgraded engine and propeller combination developed in collaboration with Lycoming Engines and Hartzell Propeller.
The new, high-power, lightweight, fuel injected CC393i engine from Lycoming delivers more than 215 horsepower but adds only 10 pounds to the aircraft’s overall empty weight when compared to similar legacy fuel injected 180 HP engine options. The CC393i is the highest horsepower engine CubCrafters has ever offered.
An integral part of CubCrafters’ updated firewall forward package is Hartzell’s newly developed lightweight Pathfinder composite three-blade constant speed propeller. With updated aerodynamics and internal structure, the Pathfinder is quieter, smoother, and, like the popular two-blade Hartzell Trailblazer propeller, the Pathfinder is optimized for backcountry operations.
The Pathfinder propeller with aluminum hub and structural composite blades weighs just 44 pounds and is a three-blade alternative to the reliable Trailblazer propeller. CubCrafters is Hartzell’s exclusive launch customer for the new Pathfinder prop.
“It has been a pleasure working with Lycoming and CubCrafters to upgrade the performance of the XCub and we are pleased to be at the forefront of yet another forward leap in performance,” said Hartzell Propeller Executive Vice President and General Manager JJ Frigge.
In a news release, CubCrafters noted that the XCub was always intended to be more than just a new airplane; it was designed right from the start as a platform upon which new technologies and different configurations can be offered to fulfill different missions. The new CC393i engine is expected to open a host of new possibilities for the airplane.
Hartzell Propeller President Joe Brown said, “As a backcountry pilot, I’m eager to experience the enhanced performance of the XCub. The combination of the Lycoming CC393i engine, partnered with the Hartzell Pathfinder propeller, will take the XCub flying experience to the next level.”
The new engine and propeller combination was featured at CubCrafters’ exhibit at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019, giving pilots and aviation fans an up-close look at the impressive new powerplant.
The new Lycoming CC393i engine and Hartzell Pathfinder propeller combination is an option for new XCub orders with delivery in 2020 and beyond. Learn more about the CubCrafters and the XCub here.
