Photograph:
Classic Aviation Adventurer CA18-1530-C200 ZK-CMR (c/n PT001) at Pauanui, NZ in December 2016 (Richard Currie – NZCivAir)
Country of origin:
New Zealand
Description:
Two-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 75 kw (100 hp) Continental O-200 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Length: 7.01 m (23 ft)
- Stalling speed: 64 km/h (40 mph)
- Fuel capacity: 100 litres (22 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 381 kg (840 lb)
- Loaded weight: 680 kg (1,500 lb)
History:
The CubFlyer was designed by Malcolm Savill of Classic Aviation Designs in Hamilton, NZ. The idea was to have students at the Otamatea High School build an aircraft. In 2002 work commenced on the construction of a Light Miniature Aircraft LM-5X-W, which was completed on 9 April 2011, becoming ZK-OHS (c/n PT001). The aim of the plan was to get young students interested in flying and aviation, and involved in the construction of a light aircraft.
The aircraft completed ZK-OHS was fitted with a 75 kw (100 hp) Continental O-200 engine and was registered under New Zealand Class 2 microlight regulations, but the design could also be completed under Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) Regulations.
Work then commenced on the construction of a CubFlyer CA-18, which was of all wood, the decision being taken to use Western Hemlock in the process, this being readily available in New Zealand, being strong enough for the purpose. The undercarriage was built from 4130 steel using Wag-Aero plans.
The Otamatea High School at Maungatoroto, in conjunction with the owner of ZK-OHS, Paul Morrison, formed the Otamatea Aviation Academy and during 2012 a new building was constructed at the school for the construction of the CubFlyer CA-18. ZK-OHS was taken to Springhill Airfield at Wellsford for final assembly where, after certification was completed, test flying commenced on 4 September 2011. Of similar appearance, the CubFlyer CA-18 was also a full size replica of the Piper J-3 Cub of wooden construction and was given the serial number PT-002. When completed, it also performed test flying at Springhill Airfield.
The CubFlyer CA-18 became known as the CA-18-1530-C200 Adventurer and was registered on 10 July 2015 as ZK-CMR (c/n PT001) to Malcolm Savill of Mt Maunganui. Other variants proposed have been referred to as the Adventurer CA-18-1320 and the CA-18-1920.
Mr Savill’s company became known as Classic Aviation Designs Ltd and was previously known as Savill’s Performance Engineering which had designed and built racing trucks for off-road racing for some years. The Company indicated it proposed to re-introduce affordable aviation to new and inexperienced builders of light aircraft, offering plans or kits, and to this end at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) event at Oshkosh in Wisconsin in 2012 unveiled what it called the CubFlyer Education program. This program involved the CubFlyer CA-18 aircraft being built over a three-year period at high schools but constructed from wood.