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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Lower 48 types think of the Super Cub as being a relatively recent import into Alaska, but the PA-18 was there from the beginning, even before Alaska was a state, you know. This vintage, undated shot of a Super Cub shows the bird far from anything resembling civilization and its pilot not the least concerned about the fact.

Photo by Thayer Avery S, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Public Domain