Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine June/July 2022 Digital Issue
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – A brand new 2022 Carbon Cub FX-3 was given away as the Grand Prize in an annual raffle to benefit the Alaska Airmen’s Association and the many general aviation programs it supports throughout the state. The third generation Carbon Cub, produced at CubCrafters in Yakima, Washington, was flown to the association’s Lake Hood headquarters in Anchorage for the May 8th raffle at the Alaska State Fairgrounds during the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering tradeshow.
The airplane (N751AK) was built as an educational experience for youth members of the Airmen’s NextGen Club through the CubCrafters amateur builder assist program. “This is the first time we have ventured into the realm of experimental amateur-built aircraft, and we couldn’t be more excited to be collaborating with the leading manufacturer of the modern Super Cub,” said Abby Austin, Executive Director of the Airmen’s Association. Travel for the amateur builders participating in the CubCrafters program was provided by Alaska Airlines, another program sponsor.
The Airmen’s Association annual raffle is the largest general aviation fundraiser in Alaska. All proceeds from the raffle fund the majority of the association’s annual operations, including maintaining access to the places general aviation pilots love to fly, improving safety infrastructure across the state, building the Alaska aviation community, and inspiring young people to pursue their way of flight.
The founder of CubCrafters, Jim Richmond, was born in Alaska, had a deep connection to the community of aviators in Alaska, and knew their needs. The airplane given away, the Carbon Cub FX-3, was designed specifically with the Alaska pilot in mind, and Richmond really considered it the ultimate Alaskan bush plane.
Building this airplane was a team effort and several other leading aviation companies partnered with CubCrafters to support this effort for the Airmen’s Association. Hartzell Propeller provided the new Pathfinder three-bladed composite propeller, Lycoming Engines built the lightweight CC363i 186 hp fuel-injected powerplant, the IFR capable G3X glass panel avionics came from Garmin, and ACME Aero supplied their Black Ops suspension for the build. In addition, Alaska Aircraft Sales, the local CubCrafters Authorized Service Center located on Lake Hood, is donating the first year of scheduled aircraft maintenance.
The FX-3 is the most Alaska-capable Carbon Cub offered by CubCrafters. With almost 1000 lbs. of useful load, over 750 miles of range, and big tire cruise speeds in excess of 130 mph, the aircraft can still land and takeoff from even the most primitive of landing strips in under 200 feet. There just isn’t a more capable airplane for backcountry adventure.
For information on the 2023 raffle, refer to the Alaska Airmen’s Association website: https://alaskaairmen.org/raffle/
For additional information on CubCrafters, visit their website: https://cubcrafters.com/
