CubCrafters Unveils Carbon Cub ULT Turbine Aircraft with Lightweight Composite Construction
BY Composights
Published: 14 Jul 2026
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CubCrafters, a U.S. manufacturer of light sport and backcountry aircraft, has introduced the Carbon Cub ULT, a next-generation turbine-powered aircraft that combines lightweight composite construction with advanced propulsion technology to enhance recreational and utility aviation.
The new model represents the latest evolution of the company's Carbon Cub platform. While the original Carbon Cub UL emphasized lightweight performance and compatibility with unleaded aviation fuel, the new ULT designation adds "T" for turbine, reflecting the integration of a turboprop powertrain while also signifying what the company describes as the ultimate evolution of the Carbon Cub family.
At the heart of the aircraft is the TurboTech TP-R90 regenerative turboprop engine, a FADEC-controlled propulsion system designed to deliver the smooth operation and reliability associated with turbine engines while maintaining fuel consumption comparable to gasoline-powered Carbon Cub variants. The engine is intended to simplify operation, improve durability, and reduce maintenance requirements for recreational pilots.
The aircraft combines the new propulsion system with CubCrafters' lightweight composite airframe and proven short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities, creating a platform intended for backcountry operations where low weight, efficiency, and rugged performance are critical.
The Carbon Cub ULT represents some of the most advanced engineering work ever undertaken at CubCrafters, said Patrick Horgan, President and CEO of CubCrafters. Bringing together regenerative turbine technology, full FADEC controls, lightweight composite construction, and our proven STOL capability into a practical backcountry aircraft demanded an incredible amount of focused innovation and refinement from our team. The result is an aircraft that combines the excitement and refinement of turbine power with the simplicity and accessibility that have always defined the Carbon Cub.
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We are extremely proud to be working with CubCrafters as our launch partner in the United States, said Damien Fauvet, CEO of TurboTech. CubCrafters has an exceptional reputation for innovation and engineering excellence in backcountry aviation, and the Carbon Cub ULT is an ideal platform to demonstrate the capabilities of the TP-R90 engine. Together, we believe we are introducing a new generation of efficient, practical, turbine-powered recreational aircraft.
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 Brad Damm, Vice President of CubCrafters. 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.
The Carbon Cub ULT is currently undergoing an extensive flight-test campaign at CubCrafters' headquarters in Yakima, Washington, where engineers are validating performance and fine-tuning the aircraft ahead of its official public debut. The company plans to showcase the aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh later this summer and has begun accepting customer deposits, with the first production deliveries expected in 2027.
The introduction of the Carbon Cub ULT highlights the growing adoption of lightweight composite structures and advanced turbine propulsion in recreational aviation, offering improved efficiency, simplified operation, and enhanced performance for the next generation of high-performance backcountry aircraft.
Source: CubCrafters | News
