Embry-Riddle's Golden Eagles Upgrade With New Birds

Embry-Riddle flying team is changing from Cessnas to the more utilitarian CubCrafters NX Cubs. [Credit: CubCrafters]

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Golden Eagles Flight Team is upgrading its fleet with CubCrafters airplanes, the light short takeoff and landing (STOL) utility aircraft manufacturer announced.

Certified NX Cubs will be replacing the team's legacy decades-old Cessna aircraft currently based in Prescott, Arizona.

According to CubCrafters, the state-of-the-art NX Cubs will provide team members with access to avionics that enhance their flight training experience and competitive edge.

“We are honored to support the next generation of aviation professionals through this partnership with Embry-Riddle,” Patrick Horgan, president and CEO of CubCrafters, said in a statement. “The NX Cub is an exceptional platform for precision flying, offering unparalleled performance, versatility, and safety. We are excited to see how the Golden Eagles use these aircraft to push the limits of their skill and expertise.”

The NX Cub, certified by the FAA under Part 23 in 2019, is a tandem-seating airplane featuring a Lycoming 215-hp, fuel-injected engine, advanced avionics suite, and rugged lightweight airframe.

Precision Flight Training

The Golden Eagles expect the aircraft will expand their operational capabilities and help the team continue its "long history of excellence" in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s SAFECON competition, according to school officials.

“Our team is constantly seeking ways to enhance our training and performance,” said Shaun Shephard, head coach of the Golden Eagles Flight Team. “We believe that the NX Cub will be invaluable in developing our pilots’ precision flying skills, and we are incredibly grateful to CubCrafters for their support.”

Three new NX Cubs will be integrated into the team’s training program in late 2025.

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Meg GodlewskiAuthor

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.