Embry-Riddle flight team switches from Skyhawks to NX Cubs

The Prescott, Arizona-based precision flight team, which has been flying Cessna 172s in competition, will switch to CubCrafters NX Cubs later this year. The change to the newer, more technologically advanced aircraft is meant to improve the elite team’s flight training while also giving them an edge in competition.

The NX Cub was certified under FAR Part 23 rules in 2019 and is known for its strong, lightweight airframe, short takeoff and landing performance, and advanced avionics. CubCrafters said the aircraft’s 215-horsepower, fuel-injected Lycoming engine generates the best power in its class and helps to make the NX Cub well-suited to the team’s flight training and competition missions.

“We are honored to support the next generation of aviation professionals through this partnership with Embry-Riddle,” said Patrick Horgan, president and CEO of CubCrafters. “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.”

Embry-Riddle’s Golden Eagles have a record of excelling at the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s Safecon competition. With the arrival of the NX Cub they expect to further boost their performance.

“Our team is constantly seeking ways to enhance our training and performance,” said Shaun Shephard, the Golden Eagles’ head coach. “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 Cub aircraft will be delivered to the team in late 2025. The team wrote on its Facebook page that it will fly its current 172s during this year’s Safecon, to be held May 12 to 17 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The team also said it will retire two of its most renowned and beloved aircraft, a pair of straight-tail Cessna 150s named Eagle 1 and Eagle 2. The plan is to display one of the retired aircraft on campus and donate the other to the San Diego Air and Space Museum, the team said.