10th Completed Kit-built Texas Sport “TaylorCUB” To Venture To Oshkosh

SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS, JULY 21, 2009 -- American Legend Aircraft Company announced today the tenth completed Texas Sport amateur-built aircraft, dubbed “TaylorCUB,” will make an appearance at AirVenture Oshkosh 2009. The Texas Sport is an aircraft kit based on the design of the American Legend Cub.

The TaylorCUB was built by a first-time aircraft builder at the American Legend factory under the company’s KwikBild™ program. It was one of two customer-built aircraft started in October 2008. The TaylorCUB was certified in March 2009. The other Texas Sport received its airworthiness approval in January 2009. Actual build time of the TaylorCUB amounted to 31 days of construction.

Mike Taylor, builder of the TaylorCUB, commented on the project, “Although I’ve been to AirVenture Oshkosh several times—the first being in 1999—I only recently entertained the idea of building my own airplane. I suppose this marks my tenth anniversary, and this time I’m bringing my own airplane.” He continued, “Working at the factory was a tremendous benefit. I can’t imagine how long it would have taken had I done this at home, in my spare time. Even while away from the factory I was always thinking about my airplane. Prior to starting, I was provided a fully illustrated build manual and this enabled me to plan each next phase of the project. It also helped me to prepare myself for learning some new hands-on skills. Though the weeks spent at American Legend and the build were quite intense, time passed quickly. Time away was spent studying and shopping. There were so many choices among powerplant, instruments, avionics, accessories, and other equipment. It was a shopping excursion that was to have many meaningful outcomes. The experience was overwhelming, yet fun. I am very, very pleased with the finished aircraft.”

American Legend Aircraft Company offers the Texas Sport, a complete aircraft kit in four major sections, allowing each to be purchased separately. The sections include: 1) a completely welded fuselage with controls and cabling, 2) a nearly complete set of wings (no jigs required), 3) all tail structures ready for covering, 4) a choice of firewall forward kits depending on engine and cowling selection. American Legend also provides painting and instrument panel services. Base price of the Texas Sport kit is $39,900. Instrumentation, engine, propeller, paint and covering costs can vary, but also offer unique choices for each builder. These items are also available from American Legend.

The Texas Sport is similar in appearance and performance to the iconic U.S. original PA-18 Super Cub. The TaylorCUB is powered by the quintessential U.S.-bred 100-horsepower Continental engine. Named by its builder, Mike Taylor, the TaylorCUB is painted in silver with black trim and reflective white on the top of the wings and aft fuselage. The silver scheme is reminiscent of early aircraft when silver butyrate dope and zinc chromate were used as protective coatings. Today, American Legend uses modern materials and a proprietary paint process that includes an elastic undercoat to increase durability and offer UV blocking. The TaylorCUB sports the logos of numerous vendors that contributed equipment to the build, from powerplant and instrumentation, to covering and equipment. Cost of the completed aircraft, including the KwikBild program, was approximately $102,500. By comparison, the cost of a completely restored Piper Cub can run upwards of $60,000 not including its purchase price. The cost of a comparably equipped new Legend Cub is around $134,000.

The Texas Sport factory demonstrator and TaylorCUB will be on display at AirVenture Oshkosh 2009. The American Legend booth #38 is located on Knapp Street near the forums. The joys of recreational flying are expanded by the availability of the Texas Sport.

The Texas Sport design is based on the #1 selling American made light-sport Legend Cub. Builders of the Texas Sport kit can certify their aircraft at 1,600 pounds and fly it with a Private Pilot license, or at a gross weight of 1,320 pounds and fly it under Sport Pilot rules.

For further information on the Legend Cub, contact American Legend Aircraft Company at 1810 Piper Lane, Sulphur Springs, Texas, 75482; call 903-885-7000; or log on to www.legend.aero.

-- Texas Sport --

For photos go to www.mtay.us/preview/Oshkosh_09/