Super Cub Bush Planes

Super Cub Bush Planes

To many people, the Super Cub is the first imagine that comes to mind when the subject of bush flying is mentioned. Small and rugged, the Super Cub easily handles impossibly short landing areas and its rugged construction makes it a natural for rough fields hewn with rocks. It can easily be fitted with floats, skis or tundra tires.

Originally manufactured by Piper as the PA-18, the Super Cub was an advanced model of the J-3 Cub. Unlike the J-3 Cub, the Super Cub featured a strengthened airframe, a more powerful engine and wing flaps. Engine power ranged from 90 to 180 horsepower with the Lycoming 0-320 and 0-360 (150 hp and 180 hp respectively) being the engines of choice for many Super Cub owners and pilots.

Piper ceased production of the Super Cub in 1991 but Cub Crafters of Washington still manufacturers the airplane to this day. In addition to Cub Crafters, there are approximately 10 different �kits� of the Super Cub offered by various companies for people who are willing to build their own Super Cub. In addition to kits, Super Cub projects are available (some of which are even sold over the internet) and many current Super Cubs are restored versions of older Super Cubs. Super Cubs can be purchased as licensed aircraft or experimental if one chooses to build his or her own Super Cub.

In addition to the airframe itself, many companies offer modifications for the Super Cub. Popular modifications include larger climb props, extended landing gear struts and modified wingtips. Externally mounted baggage and fuel tanks are available. Several companies offer wider fuselages that offer more interior room. Less common modifications include clipped wings or slotted wings. �Alaska Cub mods� is often advertised when people are selling their Super Cub and refers to airplanes that have been modified for the cold and sometimes brutal conditions experienced in Alaska. Although the phrase is not precise, popular �Alaska mods� include powerful cabin heaters, insulation, a climb propeller and extended landing gear struts. Super Cubs can be found with only rudimentary flight instruments and no avionics to ones that are certified for instrument flying.

Picture of Super Cub bush plane on floats

In terms of performance, the Super Cub easily two people and will generally cruise between 90 and 100 mph (or 70 to 80 mph with floats or some varieties of tundra tires). Because the Super Cub is a relatively �draggy� airframe there is no practical way to make the airplane fly faster. Some Super Cubs have been mounted with 260 hp engines, but cruise speeds in these aircraft barely exceeds 100 mph. With such large and heavy engines, payload and range suffer immensely and make these airplanes practical for only very short distance flying.

Flying a Super Cub is considered by most pilots to be a pure joy. The controls are light and well harmonized for an aircraft of this type. Pilots new to taildraggers generally find the rudder to be quite a bit heavier and more authoritative than in other planes, but most soon become accustomed to this. Super Cubs equipped with floats will generally yaw more than non-float equipped planes. Take-offs are generally thrilling for even experienced Super Cub pilots as Cubs quickly become airborne in very short distances. Vertical take-offs are theoretically possible if the pilot is able to take-off into a sufficient headwind. Depending upon exact wing and modifications, some Cubs are able to fly around speeds as low as 35 mph.

Construction of the Super Cub is traditional welded 4130 Steel tubing for the fuselage and aluminum spars and ribs for the wings. Super Cubs are covered with fabric. Such construction makes the Cub easy to repair in remote areas with tools that are typically available in such areas (such as welders). Other bush planes of more modern construction exist but easy field repair of semi-monocoque or composite is questionable in the minds of some bush pilots.

This next Piper Super Cub shows off its STOL power in 18 feet. The video is only 4 seconds long but definitely worth a go!