Owned Aircraft · Return-to-RC Bay

Carbon Cub
S2

Jon's 1.3 m Cleetus McFarland Special Edition connects SAFE-assisted skill progression, simulator practice, Smart telemetry and hands-on modification work with the giant-scale projects that followed.

Factory Baseline Why It Matters

Jon's yellow and black Cleetus McFarland Carbon Cub S2 resting on grass at the flying field

Factory Baseline

Cleetus Edition specifications.

The March 2025 Cleetus factory manual provides the original model specifications and equipment baseline.

Wingspan51 in / 1300 mm

Length34 in / 865 mm

Weight with recommended battery2.8 lb / 1285 g

Recommended battery3S 2200 mAh LiPo · IC3

MotorEFLM480BL · 960Kv

ESCEFLA1030FB · 30A

Propeller9 × 6

CG62–68 mm behind wing LE root

Why this airplane matters

From assistance to understanding.

The Carbon Cub marked Jon's return to RC flying and became the bridge from SAFE-assisted training and RealFlight simulator practice to telemetry, hands-on modifications, and the giant-scale Cub projects that followed.

SAFE as progression

Beginner, Intermediate and Experienced modes provide a structured progression from assisted flying toward full manual control.

Simulator connection

RealFlight practice supported Jon's return to RC flying, while the aircraft manual provides the factory setup reference.

Telemetry bridge

The stock ecosystem can expose RPM, voltage, current, throttle and temperatures through compatible Spektrum equipment — an early bridge toward the deeper diagnostic and post-flight telemetry work later pursued on the giant Cubs.

Factory SAFE behavior

Three modes — plus Panic Recovery.

Factory behavior and Jon's personal flying practice remain separate facts. The manual tells us what the aircraft can do; the owner record tells us how it was actually used.

Jon's Carbon Cub S2 beside the runway at the flying field

Beginner

Pitch/roll envelope limits, self-leveling and assisted takeoff/landing behavior.

Top view of Jon's Carbon Cub S2 in its as-flown condition

Intermediate

More freedom, with automatic Beginner-mode behavior below roughly 50 ft.

Close view of the Carbon Cub S2 wingtip and control surface

Experienced

No SAFE pitch/roll envelope limits or self-leveling; full manual aerobatic control.

Panic Recovery is a separate recovery function. It should not be confused with GPS-based AutoLand, which requires the optional SAFE Plus GPS system.

Factory options

Available equipment and features.

The Cleetus Edition supports several factory accessories alongside its standard SAFE-equipped configuration.

Vortex generators

Vortex generators are a factory-standard assembly feature. Replacement and alternate 3D files are also part of the project work.

Flaps

The optional flap installation uses an SPMSA382 servo, SPMA3052 extension and Port 8, with 0 / 12 / 25 mm travel.

LAS

SPMA3180 can assist the final landing phase in supported SAFE modes. LAS is separate from GPS-based AutoLand.

SAFE Plus GPS

SPMA3173 adds virtual fence, holding, home behavior and AutoLand when installed and configured.

Floats

The airframe supports the HBZ7390 float set for water operations.

Radio system

The Carbon Cub's story begins with its Spektrum and SAFE-equipped factory configuration.

3D and support work

From digital model to useful hardware.

The Carbon Cub has inspired battery-tray, vortex-generator, cowl and ceiling-hanger work in the 3D Print Lab.

Battery tray

Modified tray designs explore a better fit and more practical battery handling.

VG / cowl projects

Digital models support replacement parts, refinements and future shop work.

Captured ceiling hanger

A Jon-directed, AI-assisted PETG design for secure overhead storage, developed for the Bambu Lab P1S.

Jon's Aircraft

The Cleetus Edition up close.

Jon's actual HobbyZone Carbon Cub S2, photographed at the flying field and shown with its distinctive livery, landing gear and control details intact.