CubCrafters Carbon Cub FX-3 N88NC Review

This video gives a brief overview of the configuration of my CubCrafters CarbonCub FX-3 inspired by recent inquiries about which cargo pod to use on a FX-3. My build:
-83" constant speed prop
-31" heavy tread bush wheels
-G3X
-GNC 355
-G5
-Two radios (oddly the GTR 20 is better than the GNC 355 I found out) so I definitely would get the additional radio in this config
-BRS
-USB A/C ports (black panel)
-HD fabric belly and horiz stab
-Halon fire extinguisher
-SBS-J16 Battery
-4 snapvents
-Enclosed rudder cable covers
-Float plane kit
-Carbon accented vinyl
-Carbon Concepts cargo pod - www.carbonconce...
-TK1 shocks with safety cable - store.tk1racin...
-T3 tailwheel - www.airframesa...
-Pig tail on battery for XP1 jump start battery
-Custom wiring to right wing for GoPro etc. and this USB hub as the end point: www.aircraftsp...
-Added a GEAR LT switch and 5A breaker for gear/taxi lights (used RIGID 10 inch driving light)
-Beringer wheels/brakes/stainless steel brake lines
-Reiff engine preheater - www.reiffprehea...
-Forward looking camera for safety and forward visibility while taxiing: www.amazon.com... and www.amazon.com...
-Aithre Shield CO monitor integrated in G3X - www.aircraftsp...
-Rosen sunvisor
-Cabin cover and cowl plugs from Bruce's Custom Cover - aircraftcovers...
The tacnets and other handy accessories can be purchased from TacAero at elite.tacaero.com (not affiliated)
For a helmet take a look at www.skycowboys... or www.flighthelm...
My survival vest - www.amazon.com...
I have a Garmin inReach attached to it, whistle, various survival items we can discuss another time I'm still building it out with including a laser flare - www.greatlandl...
If going with GoPro I highly recommend the subscription which will return in value on add-ons you'll buy. gopro.com/
Ultralightweight chairs, cots, etc. from helinox.com/ and I got the tent and sleeping bag etc. from various outlets - all backpacker ultralightweight options.
The hammock mentioned is from hummingbirdham...
www.nflightcam... for the gopro audio input from helmet audio
Best Tugs A3: www.besttugs.c...
Noco Genius5 Battery Tender: www.amazon.com...
Antigravity XP-1 Jumpstart kit and Pigtail: www.amazon.com... and www.amazon.com...

[@niemdan]

Timeless color scheme and gorgeous. From a ground Marine combat vet, thanks for your support of infantry and combat ground elements. I love your plane.

[@NealCuliner]

Nothing better than supporting the ground troops! Thank you for your service and kind words here.

[@CL-zz2ph]

Thanks for the walk around Neal, I’m a retired Marine Tiltrotor guy, would love to have a setup like yours someday.

[@mit7502]

1st , thank you for your service , 2nd great presentation of your plane , upgrades , and reasons .

[@EricMassey748]

Great Video Neal! Thank you for explaining all the options on your FX3.

[@4406bbldb]

Ok Neal, I don’t think a Cub is often called exotic but this one is. Note: I rode in a vary early cub, in the 50s and have always remembered the frame work and the shell moving around during crop dusting runs. Didn’t have anything extra but used everything it had. Wish I remembered more but I was about 10 and just “plane excited “.

[@sxxaredd4474]

Thank you for your service and what a beautiful plane

[@charliebowman785]

Cub is a always and forever a modern aircraft despite the time passes on. A very gorgeous sports aircraft that will be America's pet airplane. Simple livery but yet, modern with the overall white. All the best to you. Please enjoy.

[@Apodalont]

Thank you for your service and sacrifice to this great country sir!

[@iainmulholland5340]

Love the setup - white detailing on the wheels is neat. I have the exact same panel in my new xCub. Love the Tac Aero guys.

[@mattm4812]

Gosh dang, that thing is gorgeous. You did an incredible job in that thing! Kudos

[@Cubonaut875]

Thanks Neal ! I start my build in November. Keep those videos coming. Hope to see you at Oshkosh/New Holstein .

[@NealCuliner]

Congrats! I am going to Oshkosh (by motorhome) - hope we can all meetup somewhere somehow.

[@Cubonaut875]

@@NealCuliner somehow I have been associated with Chapter 439 - upper peninsula of Michigan- for the last 25 years. We have a hog roast on Thursday open to all. Just south of the Red Barn in camp Scholler 37th and Schaick avenue. Hope to meet you there!

[@taildraggaah]

@@NealCuliner Have you seen any rise in CO from the cargo pod edition? I know FX3 owners have discussed this being an issue in some cases.

[@NealCuliner]

@@taildraggaah No and this is why I got the CO monitor installed. Non issue for me.

[@adamrodgers2377]

Thank you for your Service! 🇺🇲 That is a BEAUTIFUL Plane!!! I will never be able to afford a real Plane but I do fly RC and I have 2 Carbon Cub S2 and I am modifying one to look similar to your Plane, your color choice is so nice. Thank you for sharing your Beautiful Plane with us!!!

[@NealCuliner]

Thank you! Very kind of you.

[@SaltHeadz777]

Neal, enjoy all your videos immensely…we are headed to Sun & Fun to look at all the backcountry planes. I would love to get a FX3 much like yours, problem is the wait time…2 years out, ouch. The wife and I will be demo flying the FX3 Sunday. Also looking at the Aviat Husky A-1C-200, which the wait/build time is about 6 months. I was informed by the Aviat Rep. they are waiting on FAA approval/certification on a supercharged version of the A-1C-200. I spoke to the sales rep about in which he stated it’s nothing short of just pure awesomeness. However I keep coming back to the FX3, TacAero training and their products as you show cased them very well. Hope to meet ya one when I purchase my plane. I know I am going to fall in love with it but that long wait time hurts..Roy Naylor

[@shanehay726]

Love your aircraft and everything you’ve added to it ,absolutely awesome

[@anthonynicodemo6388]

Beautiful plane and setup. Congrats

[@reggierico]

Hi Neal, Really love your Carbon Cub! The color is great and you made the right choice going with the checkerboard tail and carbon lightning bolt! I'm a former Spectre gunship pilot from the 80's/90's. Getting ready to retire from my airline job after 31 years. Cheers! Oh, BTW have you considered installing leading edge protective strips on your horizontal stabilizer ?

[@NealCuliner]

Thank you and congrats on your retirement. I've thought about it but I'm worried about how well it would look, work, and if it ever has to come off will it take paint with it. It was recently discussed on flightinfo.com as well.

[@caydenpo1001]

Awesome setup man!

[@questionmark2228]

Badass looking aircraft, sir.

[@lostgriz]

Beautiful plane!

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@joefrank6996]

Awesome video!

[@RosenSunvisors]

Such a beautiful airplane! Not a bad sunvisor in there either. 😉

[@johnd.williams3477]

We would like to see you come visit us @ KJGG and show us your plane, in person. Charley's restaurant is a great $100 hamburger run for you.

[@spenner3529]

it makes me happy the rich boys have such nice toys

[@joshhansen9979]

Ok Neil, what's this one gonna cost me? This thing is set up perfectly!! Very nice!!

[@NealCuliner]

Around 400K for mine which is the CC cost and then all the additional items I had installed and bought outside of CC including Best Tugs A3. Prices have gone up across the board since my build, sadly.

[@Dave5500]

Absolutely beautiful airplane!!!

[@jeffmitchell6867]

Thank you for your service

[@VAltoFH]

Nice plane!!

[@hedonzx822]

Thanks for your time and sharing sir 👍🏻

[@ChristianMelis]

Great videos. Keep them coming, especially all the flight ones. How long did it take from the moment you sign to delivery?

[@NealCuliner]

I was lucky to have about a year from sign to delivery. On average I think it's 2 years now.

[@RogerOscarMike613]

Almost exactly how I would have my CarbonCub colors

[@brycecampbell4845]

These are cool planes. But I just can't get past the Single pilot in front but if something happens to him the back passenger can ride until death. Is that how it would work ? Or can the rear person control the plane?

[@fabieng6864]

Awesome 😇😇😇

[@timothyjones7280]

Could you tell me what was the final price for everything including the airplane pod and everything else? Also, what engine do you have in it?

[@ravimohil8969]

Nice! I am hopefully going to get delivery of my FX3 next week. Where did you purchase the Nets, that you have in the cabin area? Also, could you tell me where did you buy the forward looking camera from? Thanks.

[@NealCuliner]

Congrats, looking forward to seeing your build. The nets are from amazon, just search for vehicle cargo nets. I updated the video description to include links such as for the camera items on amazon, super simple to install.

[@loganj.2329]

Looks like you just went all out over a weekend and bought the entire back country flying youtubers starter kit. Got the plane and all the brand new gear and not a single but of use on anything lol

[@herbyh369]

What's insurance run? Like the color scheme. I like the lightning bolt.

[@NealCuliner]

Thank you for the kind words. As to the insurance, it's going to depend on your experience, history, and whatever else insurance looks at. As these are the most expensive cubs ever, probably, insurance is insane on them sadly. You're probably looking at 7-10K per year for the first year, and hopefully go down from there around 6'ish is my guess.

[@hbrien]

Nice tail number

[@jmcguire5151]

Sharp look

[@Stony121]

Those Alaskan Bushwheels come from the company my son works for.

[@meissert]

Nice toy… have fun

[@franckdelanoe994]

Good morning. If I buy one , where it's possible buy it? I'm in France.

[@chadbobby]

SHE's BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@NealCuliner]

Thank you!

[@dwdjr6937]

Is this a fully certified IFR rated aircraft? Thanks for the video.

[@av8rshane491]

Love the paint scheme, clean and simple. How is the comfort in the rear sling style seat for a long flight?

[@NealCuliner]

I don't know. It was stowed and used for luggage in that area.

[@kasm10]

thanks for sharing

[@jamesrogers9792]

Looks like the plane I want to build. What is the time line for completion from the order? is this about $350k in price with your options?

[@NealCuliner]

I hear it's 2 years for FX-3's, not sure on EX-3 kits. Prices have gone up, my setup would be near 400 now.

[@dasrockness]

Good lord!

[@Cubonaut875]

Why did you go with the sling seat in the back?

[@NealCuliner]

Multiple reasons: 1) price, my understanding the fixed rear seat is north of $5K 2) It's easily stowed for more baggage space (or a dog) and have the seat with you at all times 3) Some have said it's more comfortable as the fixed seat sits higher, no experience with it so can't say personally.

[@ravimohil8969]

Yes, those seats are 6K; I got one for my plane. I did it so my wife would not panic sitting in a sling seat :).

[@lostgriz]

I have the sling seat in mine. My instructor sat in it from the CA coast to PA and another 15 hours since. No complaints, he says it is great.

[@TresClinton]

Can you give me more details on the front camera please.

[@NealCuliner]

Hello Tres, please see the description where I have links to what you need.

[@TresClinton]

Thank you!

[@cristianoiluminatti3389]

Switch on a light For the next video please...

[@angeloterrones9789]

Man I never covered another man’s property before, is this what jealousy feels like lol.

[@smicksmookety]

How does anyone afford these things?

[@Captndarty]

Your philosophy of oh well do it once do it right is exactly why cub crafters is able to egregiously overcharge people for their airplanes. 👎🏻

[@1225drob]

Your Rans is nice,, but your comment seems a little petty. Just let him be happy with his choice

[@unihillboulder]

Sour grapes? Your "egregiously overcharge" argument doesn't hold water. CubCrafters is a long standing company and has sold a lot of these planes. That's all you need to know to counter your statement.

[@TheSavvyEquestrian]

If they were overcharging, people wouldn't buy them. Plenty of people are buying them, so I guess there price is about right, huh?

[@Captndarty]

@@TheSavvyEquestrian plenty of people buying BBJs doesn’t mean it’s worth it. People with money don’t mind waisting it. Cub crafters is nothing more than a fanboy brand. Plenty of other aircraft out there with more tech, raw material and substance at far less a price.

[@Captndarty]

@@unihillboulder rag and tube at nearly 400k with a 80-year-old tractor engine is garbage. Not sour as I have a better modern brand new factory built metal plane at half the cost👍🏻

[@rustusandroid]

WAAAYYY overpriced. 500K for tube frame and dacron. No thanks.

[@mastershua9991]

i dont wanna be that guy but ummmmmm

[@coachallison1143]

Beautiful plane!