So the question is, what is the target market for a turbine powered cub?
My motorhome manufacturer (Newmar) with a new CEO has completely missed their target audience catering to the NASCAR team owners instead of families and retirees pursuing their dream of touring the country. Sales have been abysmal. CubCrafters seems quite proud of the stunts performed with their cubs, to me, that completely misses the point of these planes. They are for people to take and explore the backcountry, camp, be with friends, etc. The joy of flight which nothing represents better than the J-3, Super Cubs, etc. Simple, low and slow, and enjoyable.
Now we've taken cubs to extremely complex glass cockpits, yeah, that's the thing of today, okay fine. Fuel injection, electronic ignition, constant speed propellers, and producing cubs now averaging 1/2 mil with insane insurance as people can't seem to figure out how to fly within their limitations.
When I was at build week for my FX-3 someone had a VFR round dial panel. I said to Zach (may he RIP) now that's the way it should be. He responded yeah but that's going to have a resale problem. Yeah, you're right, I suppose.
People have heard me say "I wish I would have just gotten a J-3" to just enjoy flight. Not pay $6K/year for insurance and be fearful of flying a stupid expensive cub with stupid expensive tires that don't like paved surfaces. Composite props that don't like, well, anything that it comes in contact with.
Now we have a turbine powered turboprop CUB. Someone explain to me the target market for this type of plane? You have an engine from France, which would be very concerning to me if I was a buyer. Other than the "I have something someone else doesn't have" what is the use case for a 750K-1M cub with a turbine on the front other than Draco (may it RIP)? What does it gain you over the other far less expensive, cough, 500K cubs? At least Draco had a 737 landing light. Now that was cool!
Instead I'd like to see innovation related to backcountry flying. Things I'm really liking in what I see coming from Legend Aircraft and now with Craig Catto helping them out with their composite components, etc. Designing wings to provide better STOL performance, removable wingtips to explore different airfoil options, built in slats or a better aerodynamic design for our type of flying. Better flap designs, larger tails for better slow speed performance. Maybe windows that don't fly out when enjoying cub flight with windows and door open, at all speeds.
I'd like to see the focus on making a better bush plane with better STOL performance and continuing to improve on the foundation of the cub. Simple to fly, max enjoyment.
