Super Cub Gallery

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

Piper PA-18
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
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Piper PA-18 Super Cub has been a staple of bush flying for nearly 70 years, celebrated for its ruggedness and adaptability in backcountry operations.
  • Its exceptional short-field performance is significantly enhanced by modifications like big tires, floats, or skis, allowing it to land and take off from diverse, rough, and otherwise inaccessible terrains.
  • Evolved from earlier designs with increased power and features, the Super Cub's enduring utilitarian design and innovative owner modifications continue to influence modern backcountry aircraft.
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Big Tires Help with Landing

Big tires help make gravel beds into perfectly suitable landing sites. The technique is often to skim across the water surface leading up to the gravel, thereby extending the landing run and perhaps just as importantly, greatly increasing the fun quotient.

Photo by Bill Brine – CC by 2.0/Flickr

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