Yakima, Washington-based CubCrafters has pulled off what many would have thought would be an impossibility. The company has achieved certification for Garmin’s G3X glass panel, an EFIS designed for the experimental and LSA market, for installation in the Part 23-certified XCub, which was introduced last year with a basic avionics package. The G3X has been a popular option for the Carbon Cub, said CubCrafters’ president Randy Lervold.
While the FAA has already approved some non-TSO’d avionics as safety enhancements, such as angle of attack instruments and electronic standby instruments, under STCs, this is the first time the agency has allowed for a full primary instrument cluster to be installed in a Part 23-certified airplane as a type certificate revision.
While XCub pilots may be tempted to hit the clouds with this highly capable PFD/MFD avionics suite, the airplane is not certified for IFR flight. However, the system will provide greatly enhanced situational awareness and navigational capabilities. The G3X also has an incorporated angle of attack indicator.
The XCub panel includes Garmin’s GTX 335R ADS-B Out transponder, allowing the taildragger to comply with the FAA’s mandate for ADS-B Out capability (required by 2020). Also available as an option is Garmin’s dual-axis GMC 307 autopilot.
The new panel will be available for the 2018 XCub model and the first delivery is expected in January. While the transponder is included in the $317,500 base price, which also includes the Garmin GTR 200R comm radio, the G3X adds $19,990 to the bottom line. The autopilot adds another $6,990.
If you get one of the early G3X-integrated XCubs, you will be awarded with a free Sandia SAI 340 Quattro self-powered electronic backup instrument, which provides, airspeed, altitude, attitude and slip information.
