This 2016 CubCrafters XCub Is a Modern-Utility ‘AircraftForSale’ Top Pick

Latest engineering meets classic practicality in a high-speed, heavy-hauling taildragger.

FLYING Staff

Monday, December 08, 2025 at 10:32 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

2016 CubCrafters XCub [Credit: Aerista]

Key Takeaways:

The 2016 CubCrafters XCub is featured as "Today's Top Pick," reimagining the classic Cub name by blending its legendary short-field backcountry capabilities with modern aerodynamics and carbon-fiber construction.
This aircraft offers a unique "dual personality," delivering impressive cross-country speeds up to 145 mph while retaining rugged utility and a high useful load for off-airport adventures.
The specific 2016 "Launch Edition" model, with only 245 hours total time, is available for $299,900, presenting a ready-to-fly modern adventure machine.

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Every day, the team at Aircraft For Sale chooses an airplane that catches our attention because it is unique, a good deal, or has other qualities we find interesting. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 2016 CubCrafters XCub.

For decades, the Cub name has been synonymous with low-and-slow backcountry flying. But when CubCrafters introduced the XCub, it didn’t just update a classic. It completely reimagined the performance envelope.

By applying modern aerodynamics and carbon-fiber construction to a certified Part 23 airframe, the company created a machine that retains the legendary short-field capabilities of its predecessors while delivering cross-country speeds previously unheard of in this class.

This 2016 model is a prime example of that “Launch Edition” lineage. It offers a rare combination of rugged utility and refined speed, making it an ideal choice for pilots who want to land on a gravel bar but don’t want to take all day getting there.

The XCub is distinct for its sleek lines—the result of an extensive aerodynamic cleanup that includes a composite engine cowl, faired landing gear, and a spring-aluminum gear design that reduces drag while improving ground handling. Under the cowling of this machine is a 180 hp Lycoming O-360-C1G engine. Paired with a composite Hartzell constant-speed propeller, the powerplant delivers the thrust needed for short takeoffs and the efficiency required for long-range cruising.

One of the XCub’s most impressive feats is its dual personality. It can cruise at speeds nearing 145 mph—leaving traditional Piper Super Cubs in the dust—yet it boasts a useful load that rivals many larger aircraft. This specific airframe has logged just 245 hours total time since new, presenting an aircraft that has barely been broken in for the next owner.

Modern avionics manage the navigation duties, while the sturdy landing gear and high-clearance prop ensure it is ready for off-airport adventures. Whether you are looking to explore remote mountain strips or simply want a fun, fast, and capable taildragger for weekend getaways, this aircraft checks all the boxes.

Listed at $299,900, this CubCrafters XCub represents a chance to own a modern, certified adventure machine without the wait time of a factory order. It is a proven performer ready to expand your horizons immediately.

If you’re exploring ownership options, FLYING Finance can help get you airborne. Use our airplane loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments, or connect with an aviation finance expert at flyingfinance.com.