CubCrafters has unveiled the Carbon Cub ULT, a turbine-powered evolution of its popular Carbon Cub backcountry aircraft and β according to the company β the first U.S.-manufactured turboprop eligible to be flown by Sport Pilots under the FAA's new MOSAIC rules. The Yakima, Washington manufacturer announced the aircraft on July 7, 2026.
At the heart of the ULT is the new TurboTech TP-R90, a FADEC-controlled regenerative turbine engine rated at 160 horsepower with turbine-plus-electric boost. Turbine power in an aircraft this small is unusual: it promises the smoothness, cold-weather starting and reliability of a turbine, while a regenerative cycle helps tame the fuel burn that normally makes small turboprops thirsty. CubCrafters quotes fuel consumption of roughly 7 gallons per hour.
The published performance estimates position the ULT as a capable backcountry machine. The company lists an estimated empty weight of 880 pounds, a maximum gross weight of 1,865 pounds and a useful load of about 985 pounds. With 44 gallons of fuel on board (40 usable), CubCrafters estimates an endurance of about 5.2 hours and a range of 682 statute miles, or roughly 593 nautical miles.
Operating the turbine has been designed to be as simple as possible. The cockpit pairs Garmin avionics with a dedicated turbine engine display and full FADEC control, giving pilots push-button starting and single-lever power management. By automating fuel and propeller control, the integrated FADEC removes much of the workload traditionally associated with turbine operation β a deliberate choice for an aircraft aimed partly at sport and recreational pilots.
The MOSAIC angle is central to the ULT's significance. The FAA's Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification rulemaking broadens what Sport Pilots are allowed to fly, and CubCrafters is positioning the Carbon Cub ULT as the first domestically built turboprop to qualify β a claim that, if it holds, would put turbine performance within reach of a far wider pool of pilots than before.
None of this comes cheaply. CubCrafters has set the price of the Carbon Cub ULT at $690,000, placing it firmly at the premium end of the light and backcountry market. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027.
The Carbon Cub family has long been a favourite among bush and backcountry flyers for its short-field performance and rugged simplicity. Adding a purpose-built turbine β rather than adapting an existing engine β signals CubCrafters' intent to keep pushing that reputation upmarket, offering the durability and hot-and-high capability of turbine power in an airframe already known for landing almost anywhere.
Sources: CubCrafters, AeroTime. Featured image: AI-generated by AviationShop. By Daniel Okafor.
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