Top cub v. Husky

[Dave Calkins]

Steve, I can appreciate the idea of a guy taking the path of least resistance, also, needing to take the first-year depreciation hit. The original poster on this thread was comparing CC and Aviat, new I assume, so I shouldn't have opened my mouth here, to start.

Mike, plenty of sub-1200 pound Cubs flitting around where I live.

As far as corrosion on those steel Aviat parts, start asking around a bit, you'll find 'em. You can't take a piece of steel with mill-scale and numbers still on it, paint it, and expect it to not rust up through the paint, much less hold onto the paint.

Aviat has solved the problem with the a/c built since the year, 2000.

As far as the fabric work, Yep, Aviat do a beautiful job. Tapes in all the places you expect them to be, straight, layed down, and not too much build-up of coatings. Too bad that dog logo is vinyl....and the N-numbers, too, oh well. The rest of the plane is nicely done.

Steve, as far as educating folks, I'll quote myself :

David M. Calkins wrote:
My point is that the big manufacturer goes on to tell everyone that you gotta have it or you ain't spit.

I've said enough for a whole week, now. Sorry you all had to listen.

 

[Erik]

It's ok David. Just be patient with us when its our turn to rant!

 

[Dave Calkins]

Thanks for the OK, Eric.

By the way, the tone of my posts has seemed anti-Aviat.

I can think of at least one reason why not T-Cub, also.

If anyone wants a list of negatives, in my opinion, of each a/c, just ask.

Or you can put 'yer head in the sand. Whatever. People fall in love with certain airplanes without reason. And some WITH reason.

I'm sure I'll read back on this stuff later and feel like a real negative jerk.

I'm just trying to put the truth out, for better or worse. Thanks. DAVE

 

[bob turner]

What's a T-Cub?

 

[behindpropellers]

What's a T-Cub?

Top Cub.

hmmm

So what if your choices were:

New Top Cub $20,000
New Husky $20,000
Rebuilt to your Specs 1955 Cub $20,000

Money has to be one of the biggest factors here, no matter if it is a harley or a yugo.

 

[Erik]

If you could get a new Top Cub, Super Cub, or Husky for $20,000, then these things would not be such a status symbol anymore and I would go back to flying my $20,000 Cessna 140 (I will always maintain that a Cessna 140 is a truely wonderful airplane).

Tim, that was part of my point on page 1! "Cool" is worth $50K.

Erik

 

[behindpropellers]

If you could get a new Top Cub, Super Cub, or Husky for $20,000, then these things would not be such a status symbol anymore and I would go back to flying my $20,000 Cessna 140 (I will always maintain that a Cessna 140 is a truely wonderful airplane).

Tim, that was part of my point on page 1! "Cool" is worth $50K.

Erik

If I was cool I would be flying a P-51.

:lol:

I would like to see you fly that C140 again too....heh

 

[Fortysix12]

I know this topic has been beaten to death. I am making a decision in the near future between and Cubcrafters Top Cub and a new 180 hp Husky. My flying will be mostly in the brush coutry of South Texas with the occassional dirt road or pasture landing and in the mountains of Colorado (thousand foot strip at 8,000 foot altitude).

At least a three or four times a year I will be doing relatively long (400-700 mile) single day cross countries.

Most of the flying will be low and slow looking at game.

We owned a 180 hp supercub that was otherwise stock until about 8 years ago. Obviously I still miss it. Never should have sold it.

There is a lot of Husky bashing here, but what is the real drawback other than the lack of a jackscrew trim?

Lot of qualified opinions about performance, quality of construction etc,etc. I think from whats written, you couldn't go wrong with any of them. For me it was love. When I saw the City of Washington 12 I knew I had to have a 12. In florida it works fine. Flew it 3000 miles this summer and everthing is beautiful. Now I'm not saying go get a 12, that's just the one that really grabbed me. What airplane do you love. Which one do you dream about owning. For me that's part of fun. With all the machines I have ever owned it boiled down to love and passion to own. Sounds like you miss your 180 supercub. There's a bran spankin new one in texas with a wide body and everything else you can imagine. Go get it. And start lovin it.

 

[sj]

Dave,

There is nothing wrong with having the perspective that you do, or pointing out problems with manufacturing. The manufacturers often rely on mechanics and other independent folks to help uncover the problems they have. Some folks are better at some things.

The "delivery" on these kinds of comments can make all the difference in how they are taken. Constructive critism is more valuable, and more accepted than bashing, although bashing gets a lot more attention. I think pointing out that there are other options than new planes is important and you have done that. Nothing to have regrets about.

Having said all of that, there are some things about the 2000 top cub I have that are less than perfect. I would say that radio installation and wiring at the time mine was built was not their forte'. I am happy with the amphib install, the fabric, the comfort, etc. I can't consider a new Ranger because I can't afford it, and I really need two machines with different missions. Would a Husky get me closer? Maybe but you won't see me owning one anytime soon - and it is no cheaper.

JoeCub's Smith kit I saw at Johnson Creek looked like a whole lot of fun!

sj

P.S. Mark and Scott Warren are a small shop producing award winning cubs that fly great! I have flown them both and would be happy to own either.

 

[pzinck]

Those new supercubs,huskys and stuff may fly slow and good but the best damn stol aircraft is an A model supercub.Those huskys maybe close to a supercub(but i doubt it) but an good A model is so much more capable than a regular cub it aint funny.They climb steeper,fly much slower and are the most stable plane in slow flight period.Now i dont nessecarily know any of this for a fect,i thought it might inspire some good discussion (or arguing).But really dont you think a good A model that is light is the balls? Imagine some people actually convert A models to regular cubs,that is a sin. In my experience though they are more stable and slower flying than those fancy cubs.

 

[sj]

Phil,

The A models do seem to generally fly "out of the box" better than most of the others I have flown. It seems like Mark Englerth has some insight into this involving angle of incidence. When I go out someday (over the rainbow) to have a bird custom built for me, I plan to start with an A model.

sj

 

[mvivion]

Dave,

Did you take a look at the Cub given away by the Airmen last year? Beautiful airplane, no doubt, built by a shop that takes great pride in its workmanship, and anyone would be proud to own it.

Did you notice the empty weight? Let's just say it wasn't under 1200, as in not even close.

It also was a rebuilt airplane, meaning that there were some used parts in there.

Again, a great airplane, but I'm betting that airplane had a price tag very near what a CC airplane costs. And it had parts that may or may not have been new, and it wasn't light. And, I'm not picking on the folks who rebuilt it, cause it was really a nice airplane.

I've looked at a lot of 98 to 2000 Huskys and I have not seen any corrosion issues. Maybe I'm lucky, or blind.


MTV

 

[diggler]

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[pzinck]

Sorry dig,its been slow around here.You gotta admit they are a little homely,but thats all i got so i need to justify ownership.

 

[mikeo]

Super Cub vs Husky

My thought is speed is nice but slow speed handling is better .It took me 20 minutes longer to get to the mountvin strip in Idaho than a husky but I knew I could get in and out,My 180hp cub burns 7.2gph @3000ft cruise 103mph I have never heard of a husky using 5;5 to 6.1gph as a former poster stated.

 

[PA-18]

cub vs husky

Hello,

I have decided the best bet is to start with a old cub. Find someone like Kenny Blalock at special products aviation to rebuild it into what ever kind of plane, that suites your fancy. There are endless possibilities. Most of the fancy cubs or expensive ones are alot alike,heavy,IFR machines. You would probably do better to buy a Husky. But if you want somthing special to fill specific needs you are better off with a cub due to the fact that there are individuals out there that can build you exactly what you want. Buying one ready to go is great,but having one made to you order is alot like ordering a "Whataburger" to us Texas types. What part of Texas you in?

 

[S2D]

xxx

 

[Lasater]

Top Cub v. Husky

To answer PA-18, I live in Fort Worth. I have no desire to fly IFR in a Cub. My theory based on experience is that you're better off scud running in a cub than just about in other airplane. I never had to land our old cub off airport because of deteriorating ceilings, but in my mind that is an option you have in a cub that you have in few other airplanes.

The reality in Texas is that IFR without radar or stormscope doesn't do much for you, so why bother in a cub? I do want a good GPS, because it is hard to read a map with the door open, and post-9/11 circling water towers is probably not as acceptable as it once was.

 

[Crash]

There are a lot of low time, late model Cubs in trade a plane in the $85 - $90K range. Buy one of these and see if you like it. I did some bad stuff to my Cub when I was first learning how to fly it. I was glad it wasn't my "dream machine" when I dropped it in from 15' up and bounced it hard on the tail. I finally built my dream machine but now I don't make those rookie mistakes as often. Like everything, you get smoother and better with age and experience. Crash

 

[Dave Calkins]

Good Point Crash!

I know of 3 guys, no, 4, who've bought a Husky and learned or are still learning to fly in it.

One of 'em lives in Wyoming, so the idea of buying local makes sense.

On the other hand, A LOT can be said for a beat up or not-so-fresh airplane for your first bird.

....course that's not the question being asked here.

 

[Lasater]

I agree with Crash's point. And I agree that if you are afraid of "scratching the paint" (not to be confused with an accident or incident)you miss out on a lot of good landing spots and a lot of performance potential. This would not be my first cub, although I got my license and instrument rating in tricycle gear cessnas, I really learned to fly in a supercub (but nowhere near to Alaska standards). I'm glad my dumba$$ mistakes did not cause more damage to airplane than to my ego.

Referring back to my original post, I am considering the top end of the type, be it Top Cub, Husky, or first class rebuild and wanted educated opinions. There have been great posts, but I haven't heard from any neutral party that has flown the newly certified Top Cub.

 

[sj]

Referring back to my original post, I am considering the top end of the type, be it Top Cub, Husky, or first class rebuild and wanted educated opinions. There have been great posts, but I haven't heard from any neutral party that has flown the newly certified Top Cub.

Lasater,

I would love to try out one of the new Ranger cubs (previously known as a top cub), but have not been given the opportunity to do so yet. I suspect there is some media type person who has tried one out, but I am not sure if any neutral parties who know what to look for have.

Maybe somebody will speak up!

sj

 

[mmr]

Lasater,
You are starting to sound like a confused tire kicker!
Mark

 

[flagold]

I have never heard of a husky using 5;5 to 6.1gph as a former poster stated. -- News of my demise have been greatly . . . Those figures are quite routine to anyone working the aircraft for endurance and better can be obtained. There are many off-the-books techniques for wringing max range out of the Husky. Jim Wark has flown his from Pueblo to Ga. nonstop and many other long range missions. I have flown from BKV (n of Tampa 45 miles) to NE Texas and would have gone into central Texas but for a wayward P-bottle . . .

Carry on . . .

 

[sj]

Hey Matt! Glad to hear your demise is greatly over reported, also glad to hear for once the hurricanes may miss your place.

sj

 

[Dave Calkins]

Welcome back Matt....................................again.

I wish Aviat had an option to put the ignition switch on the RH side of the panel.

DAVE

PS Also, since I'm so lazy. What's the typical EW for the Ranger? Anyone?

 

[mmr]

Glad to see you're alive and well Matt!

Mark

 

[flagold]

Steve: agreed on the demise and on hurricanes -- I still haven't got everything fixed from the last one. Laying tracks for another movie:

Newest track (12-string): http://www.treasuresites.com/GB12-1.mp4

Not flying much at all (sad to say).

David: I check in every once in awhile just to make sure you guys (especially Steve) are behaving . . .

Agree on ignition -- they really could work on that (there's some other things too).

Adios guys.

 

[T.J.]

I'd be interested in the "off the books techniques to wring max range out of a Husky."
Are they secret?

 

[diggler]

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