CubCrafters of Yakima, Wash., announced that it has obtained a validation of type certification (VTC) from the Civil Aviation Administration of China for its model CC18-180 Top Cub. The certification, issued Oct.18, will allow the Top Cub to be imported and operated in China.
CubCrafters said that the Part 23-certificated Top Cub is a “classic back-country airplane” inspired by Piper's PA-18 Super Cub and incorporating CubCrafters' own supplemental type certificates in the design to produce an aircraft with a gross weight of 2,300 pounds and a useful load of 1,100 pounds.
CubCrafters logged international sales in Canada in 2009 and in Australia in 2010, and has established a European sales hub. The China certification will position the firm to participate in that country's emerging general aviation marketplace, the company said.
“We've always maintained a global market perspective,” said company General Manager Randy Lervold in a news release. “Our recent increases in engineering resources, along with improved manufacturing capacity have allowed us to push beyond domestic sales and develop markets abroad.”
CubCrafters' product line also includes two FAA-certificated special light sport aircraft: the Sport Cub S2, and the 180-horsepower Carbon Cub.
