CubCrafters is proud to announce that the XCub and the NXCub (the nosewheel version of the XCub), are now available as experimental amateur-built (E-AB) kits for the first time. This major expansion of the company’s kit program brings industry-leading performance, innovation, and capability to the hands of homebuilders. The NXCub specifically gives pilot-builders more stress-free access to remote airstrips thanks to its robust trailing-link nosewheel assembly, opening up the backcountry to more pilots.

Amateur builders can now assemble their own version of the same aircraft that has earned a reputation as the best-in-class for modern backcountry flying. The new kit brings the same trusted performance and innovation found in the FAA-certified XCub and NXCub. With years of design and testing expertise, it’s is everything you’d expect from a fully certified aircraft, but ready for your own hands to bring to life.

“Offering the XCub and NXCub in kit form is a milestone for both our company and the homebuilding community,” said Patrick Horgan, President of CubCrafters. “These kits represent more than just a set of parts, they are 15 years of refinement, field experience, evolution built in from the start.”

Built for the Backcountry

The introduction of the XCub and NXCub to CubCrafters’ experimental kit lineup reflects strong and growing demand from experienced builders who want more than just a project—they want an aircraft that can go the distance, reach the most remote airstrips, and perform with confidence in rugged environments.

Highlights of the new kits include:

– Tailwheel (XCub) or tricycle (NXCub) gear – interchangeable

– Engine options: Lycoming O-360 (180 HP) or CC393i (215 HP)

– Eye-popping cruise speeds in excess of 150 mph

– Gross weight of 2,300 lbs, with useful loads exceeding 1,000 lbs

– Panel configurations: from basic VFR to IFR-capable full glass cockpit

– Comprehensive builder support, including a brand-new digital manual with video guidance providing a whole new kind of build experience

A Legacy of Innovation

CubCrafters has been a leader in the experimental aircraft community since the launch of the original Carbon Cub EX kit in 2009. That legacy continued with the introduction of the EX-2 in 2016 and the EX-3 in 2017, which brought more powerful engines and increased gross weight capabilities. Now, with the introduction of the XCub and NXCub kits, CubCrafters continues to be a leader in the STOL class of aircraft bringing the highest level of performance ever offered in its kit lineup.

“We’ve had builders asking for an XCub kit for years, and we’re proud to finally make it happen,” said Brad Damm, Vice President of CubCrafters. “This is a big moment, not just for us, but for every homebuilder who’s dreamed of building a truly modern, high-performance backcountry airplane.”

15 Years in the Making

The XCub didn’t happen overnight. Design work began in 2009 with a bold goal: to build the fastest, strongest, and most capable Cub ever made. After years of engineering, development, and flight testing, the XCub achieved FAA Part 23 certification in 2016. Since then, the aircraft has continued to evolve, with nearly factory built 250 XCub and NXCub models delivered to customers worldwide.

See It at AirVenture 2025

EAA AirVenture attendees will get the first look at the new XCub Kit on display, alongside the debut of the first completed kit-built NXCub, finished in CubCrafters’ new paint scheme. CubCrafters team members will be on-site all week to answer questions, walk you through the build process, and help reserve your kit.