American back-country aircraft manufacturer CubCrafters is mourning the loss of its founder Jim Richmond, who died on Sunday. He was 67 years old.
Richmond founded CubCrafters in 1980 after realising the possibility of updating the classic Piper Cub with modern materials and manufacturing techniques that would increase performance and safety over that of the old design.
CubCrafters has since built 1500 aircraft that are in operation right around the world.
“CubCrafters is truly a family. Our employees, customers, and affiliates all feel Jim’s loss,” said Pat Horgan, CubCrafters' President and CEO.
“In everything we do moving forward, Jim will be with us. It was his stated intention that CubCrafters would continue as the market leader in the design and manufacture of the best back-country aircraft in the world.
"Both Jim’s family and the CubCrafters leadership team are fully committed to continue growing the aviation legacy that Jim started.”
Based in Yakima, Washington, CubCrafters manufactures light sport aircraft like the Cub SS, the Carbon Cub FX kit, the fully-certified Top Cub and XCub and a kit version of the XCub.