I'm also hoping one day to get into a CC product. I love the looks of the CarbonCub and everyone is raving. But I have a question about real world applications with a useful load around 400 lbs. The original poster (OP) said that his use needs are '400 lbs of flesh plus 50lbs of gear'. So, can someone help me understand the math? 1320 - 920 (E-LSA equipped as desired) leaves 400 lbs of useful load. The OP is 50 lbs over gross before loading fuel.
Understanding that the 1320 gross is a certification limit and that the aircraft is tested to 1865 lbs gross, I know the aircraft will perform the mission with muscle to spare. But if the OP loads his E-LSA certified aircraft to about 1500 lbs (which is what it sounds like his mission will require), he is technically busting regs and without published W&B data, has no way of really knowing if he is safe. He is now a test pilot.
So I guess I'd like to hear from some Carbon Cub owners out there. How are you dealing with the limited useful load in the real world. Can you get two adults in the airplane and go anywhere? I see several videos on YouTube of Carbon Cubs flying with two adults on board, but it seems like there could only be very little fuel on board.
I've always done my best to operate in a way that is safe and legal. I would not want to suggest that the airplane can be operated above gross weight. It seems to me that publishing that the airplane has been tested to 1865 lbs and that the 80hp limitation is also statutory naturally encourages thoughts that the airplane can be operated above the LSA limits.