BOB CIESLAK COLLECTION
No. 13349. Wag-Aero CUBy Acro Trainer (C-GSLP c/n PRICE 3)
Photographed by Bob Cieslak

Wag-Aero CUBy Acro Trainer

01/31/2018. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Wag-Aero of Lyons, Wisconsin, USA supplied amateur constructors plans and kits of parts of four different modern versions of the famous Piper Cub.

Known as the CUBy Sport Trainer, the basic two-seat sporting aircraft followed the original design, but benefitted by utilizing up-to-date construction techniques. The wing has a wooden main spar and ribs, light alloy leading edge and fabric covering. The fuselage and tail unit are of welded 4130 chrome molybdenum steel tube with fabric covering. The CUBy can be powered by any flat-four Continental, Franklin or Lycoming engine of between 65 and 125 hp. Design of the CUBy began in 1974 and construction of a prototype started in December of that year. First flight took place on March 12, 1975. By 1987 more than 1,600 sets of plans for Sport Trainers had been sold.

In 1977 came available the CUBy Acro Trainer which differs from the standard version by having a strengthened fuselage, shortened wings, modified lift struts, improved wing fittings and rib spacing, and a new leading edge. Also offered was the CUBy Observer which is a replica L-4 military liaison aircraft; and the Super-CUBy with structural modifications to accept engines of up to 150 hp, making it suitable for glider towing, bush operations, or for operation as a floatplane.

The pictured aircraft was built by Gordon Price of Guelph, Ontario, Canada in 1979, it was registered C-GSLP. Gordon built the aircraft for his wife to do aerobatics, hence the registration stands for Gordon and Sandy Lynn Price. Subsequent owner was Charles Miller of Orangeville, Ontario, who owned it till March 8, 1984.

The next owner, Gary Schroeder of London, Ontario, had the aircraft for less than three years, but during this time he was seen performing aerobatics and became known by ending the show routine with a landing on a platform in the back of a speeding truck. The registration was cancelled on February 20, 1987.

On May 14, 1987, the aircraft was registered to Keith Francis of Toronto, Ontario, it was cancelled on October 19, 1993.

Subsequently the aircraft was sold to the USA, where it was registered N300HS. It received a CofA on October 29, 1993, and it had several consecutive owners. On October 10, 2003, while enroute from Carefree, Arizona to El Paso, Texas, the aircraft ran out of fuel short of its destination. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby gravel road. During the landing roll, he noticed some children directly in front of the aircraft and applied maximum brakes to avoid them. Subsequently, the airplane nosed-over and came to rest on its nose. The pilot escaped injuries, but the aircraft was substantially damaged.

The registration expired and it was cancelled on September 4, 2014."


Created January 31, 2018