Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

One of the more interesting airplanes on display at this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh show might be CubCrafters’ newest model: the turbine-powered Carbon Cub ULT. Designed under the new MOSAIC rules for light aircraft, the ULT is powered by TurboTech’s TP-R90 turboprop engine, and it can be flown by pilots who qualify under the new FAA Sport Pilot rules, with no type rating or special endorsement required.
Deliveries are planned in 2027, while CubCrafters continues flight testing the ULT at its Yakima, Washington headquarters. CubCrafters is now accepting deposits for the $690,000 (base price) ULT.
Manufactured with composite materials, the ULT traces its heritage to the Carbon Cub UL, with a “focus on lightweight performance and unleaded fuel compatibility,” according to CubCrafters. The “T” in the new airplane’s moniker reflects the turbine engine married to the lightweight airframe.
TurboTech’s TP-R90 features regenerative turbine technology, which captures and recycles exhaust heat, thus retaining energy that would normally be wasted. Fadec simplifies engine operation, including push-button engine starting and single-lever power control for the engine and DUC Hélices composite propeller. According to CubCrafters, the ULT’s turbine engine burns about the same amount of fuel as the gasoline-powered Carbon Cub UL, which is less than five gph during cruise.
CubCrafters is one of the first OEMs to select Garmin’s new Axis avionics, and the ULT will be equipped with an 11-inch Axis touchscreen display, GTR 20 com radio, and GTX 335R remote-mount ADS-B Out transponder. Other standard features include Oratex fabric and 44-gallon long-range fuel tanks. A variety of options are available, including a belly fuel pod.
“The Carbon Cub ULT demonstrates what’s possible when cutting-edge turbine technology is paired with one of the most proven and capable lightweight backcountry aircraft platforms in the world,” said CubCrafters v-p Brad Damm. “The first thing pilots notice is how effortless the airplane feels. You push and hold the start button for a few seconds, and the aircraft is ready to go fly. The Fadec handles the details, the turbine is incredibly smooth and quiet, and the aircraft retains the lightweight performance and responsiveness that pilots love about the Carbon Cub. It’s one of those airplanes that makes you look for excuses to go flying.”

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The ULT traces its heritage to the Carbon Cub UL, with a “focus on lightweight performance and unleaded fuel compatibility,” according to CubCrafters. 

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News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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