Any day that starts in a Cub is a good day! This morning we had the chance to do a sunrise flight in the new Carbon Cub EX2, back to back with the original Carbon Cub EX. The changes are in the wing – or more accurately, in the flaps and ailerons. With airfoil-shaped ailerons that feature a slotted hinge line and redesigned flaps that also have a noticeable slot and deploy more like a Fowler, the wing handles differently both in cruise and at slow speeds. Roll responsiveness is remarkable because of the new ailerons, with delightful stick forces, and the excellent low-speed handling is even better when dropping int to a short field with the new flaps. Our flight review will be appearing soon!
With the flying out of the way, we headed back to the main show and spent time looking at new engine packages at both Aerosport and ECI – expect to see reports on their programs in coming issues. iPad integration was tried out with both Dynon and AFS EFISes – a neat trick that allows flight planning at home and a wireless transfer of the route to the airplane when you climb in. Garmin has this capability as well – we just ran out of time to give it a try today. We did take the time to poke our head (and wallet) into “Hangar E” and take a look at the many parts exchange items arrayed there by builders and pilots willing to sell their excess items to raise money to buy someone else’s excess items. We picked up a few drill bits and building supplies ourselves – definitely worth a look if you are at the show.
Three members of Team Aerodynamix appear to have borrowed some of the Teen Flight and Eagle’s Nest RV-12 airplanes and gave a 3-ship fly-by in the Showcase hour, with the students who built them looking on from the ground. We counted about 60 airplanes in the homebuilt parking area mid-morning, and the pattern was full of arrivals and departures right up until the field closed for the afternoon airshow.
That will wrap up our in-person reporting on Sun ‘n Fun 2015, as our team heads home to write up the many experiences and things we have learned. Watch for those articles and more in coming issues of Kitplanes.
