Super Cub Photo Gallery - Plane & Pilot Magazine

The J-3 Cub is a classic. The PA-18 Super Cub is downright iconic.

Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 11:44 AM ET

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The Piper PA-18 Super Cub has been around for almost 70 years, and while it's the current darling of a new set of backcountry flyers, it's been a staple of bush flying pretty much since the get got. Photo by Bill Brine - CC by 2.0: Flickr

Key Takeaways:

The Piper PA-18 Super Cub is an iconic bush plane, renowned for nearly 70 years for its ruggedness, high-lift wing, and powerful engine, making it a staple for backcountry flying.
Its exceptional short-field capabilities are greatly enhanced by optional large "bush" tires for rough terrain, or by floats and skis, allowing it to access diverse and otherwise inaccessible remote locations.
Evolving from the J-3 with increased power and features, the Super Cub's legendary design continues to inspire modern aircraft like the Cub Crafter's Sport Cub, showcasing its enduring influence on aviation.

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Super Cubs weren’t born with big tires. In fact, giant round appendages like these weren’t very popular until recent decades. The tires don’t help with cruise speed at all but they transformed the rough field capabilities from really god to otherworldly. Here the big wheels are used as impromptu floats.

Photo by Bill Brine – CC by 2.0:Flickr