Cub - Should I?

[Flying_Anorak]

I know I've asked this before a few years ago, but an opportunity to have a share in a Cub has arisen but should I? My heart says yes, but my logic (and other pilots) tell me all the negatives - e.g very slow and very X wind limited.

Any sagely words of advice?

Cheers

[9 lives]

You should! Slow is relative - it's still faster than you are on your bicycle. If you need to fly fast, best to buy a ticket. Generally, if the crosswind is that strong, you land diagonally on the runway. You will be a much better pilot for skillfully flying a Cub!

[Dragon43]

Lots more trouble with partial ownership, scheduling use, paying for maintenance, is it needed, is it mandatory, any A&P's in the group, etc........ :=
A club or partners can = :ugh:

:eek: :ugh:...good luck if you do it, lot of fun.... :ok:

[Big Pistons Forever]

Flying Anorak

Why do you fly ? I think answering that question will answer whether the Cub is the right machine for you.

If all you do is a local bimble on a nice day or short hops to nearby airports then
the Cub is all the airplane you need and tremendous fun besides.

[India Four Two]

My heart says yesThen do it! Lots of good advice above.

There is nothing better than bimbling around at 500' on a warm summer's day with the door open.

I don't have much experience on the Cub and I had to look up the crosswind limit - 10 kts. Bearing in mind that the number is the "maximum demonstrated" value and that on a Cub forum that I looked at, many pilots indicated that the "airframe" crosswind limit is about double that value, I would say you should not have any qualms about cross-wind capabilities.

And as Step Turn says, you can always land diagonally across the runway, or even across it as I did once.

Concerning the speed, yes it's faster than your bike, but slower than motorway traffic when heading into a strong wind! ;)

[Tupperware Pilot]

My offer still stands Paul...
Are we still talking the same Cub?

[fernytickles]

Yes!

You won't regret it. And if for some weird reason you do, you can always sell your share.

Have fun!

[foxmoth]

As someone else said, it depends why you fly, if you want to go A-B quickly or like turning upside down it is the wrong aircraft, if you like to get airborne just for the fun of it or want something that is good for farm strips then go for it!:ok:

[BroomstickPilot]

Hi Flying_Anorak,

Early in my sixties I took a trial ride in a Super Cub and much enjoyed it, however I pursued my flying elsewhere on other types.

Some years later, and now in my late sixties, I decided to do some tail-dragging hours in the Super Cub at a club I had joined.

To my disappointment, I found that owing to my advancing arthritis I was no longer able to achieve the contortions necessary to wind myself into the Super Cub's back seat. (Heaven knows what would have happened if I had tried to get into the front seat, which looked even more awkward to get into). So I had to abandon my intended flying.

So if you happen to be of advancing years, or expect to carry passengers of that age, your ability to use that type might be of limited duration.

BP.

[bad bear]

Your heart is correct, follow it. The Cub is my favourite plane. You strap it on and it becomes part of you. It handles cross winds really well.


bb

[robin]

I flew a Cub for a number of years and it was a good machine to build confidence and skill in. There are limitations, such as having the passenger behind you, speed (or lack of it) and the need to have it hangared

I enjoyed flying it but after a few years the lack of performance and ability (mine) to use it for flights of over 2 hours began to pall. I'd have a Cub again as a second share for those bimbling days, but have access to a faster aircraft with greater lifting potential.

[Above The Clouds]

Which cub are you thinking of, J3 series or Super Cub ? either way you will have a great time. I bought mine a number of years ago through the heart and have never looked back, its not shared so that does make it more expensive to operate but you only live once :)

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

If it's a J3 / L4 you have to go for it. Super fun slow bimbling machines, best in summer with the whole side open. They are flown from the rear seat so the view is stupendous!

If it's a Supr Cub I wouldn't be so sure. They are OK, much more capable than the little Cubs, but not half as much pure aviating fun. Flown from the front seat, as well.

[Above The Clouds]

SSD
J3 / L4 or PA18 Super Cub ?

Then meet in the middle with an L18 on a permit or an L21 none EASA Annex II wrongly classed as a PA18 by the CAA. They of course are the military variants with the all round windows and of course you get the good performance some with flaps some without :)

[rateone]

I owned an L4 for a while. What a great machine. Loved it! True they are slow, headwinds can be a challenge and prop swinging is an art but nothing can beat it for bimbling in and out of farm strips. And the warbird kudos was a bonus.

They're always popular so if you don't like it I don't think it would be a problem to sell, assuming it's in good condition.

[Piper.Classique]

I go touring in a super cub, it just takes a bit longer. Right now I am on the long Mynd, from central France.
It's raining......The Cub is in the hangar. So would anything else be, unless it had serious IFR capability. But not many other aircraft will cope with landing on what is basically a field full of sheep.For those who don't know the site, it's a bit undulating and far from smooth.
Cubs don't do anything perfectly, but there isn't much they can't do, and I always have a big stupid grin on my face after flying.

[Genghis the Engineer]

The obvious answer is to ask if you can cost-share a trip somewhere for lunch in said Cub.

At the end of that, you'll know if it's for you or not.

They are delightful aeroplanes to fly, but ultimately they either do what suits your flying, or they don't. I have a slightly higher performing Condor share, and love it - and have no problem seeing the appeal. Equally, I'd not use the Condor, or a Cub, for a 300 mile business trip to Prestwick and back.

G

[astir 8]

Get on with it Cinders!

[rusty sparrow]

I got a share in an L4 Cub last year. Lovely 'plane to fly and I enjoy every minute of it. Buy the share - you won't regret it.

[IFMU]

Yes, in answer to the question.

[FullWings]

I always enjoy Cubs, more so because you have to actually fly them. You can do 10 decent landings, then lose a bit of concentration and boinggg!

Pottering about on a summer evening with the door down and windows open: priceless.

You can get them in and out of just about anywhere. Good for a bit of clandestine air-taxiing plus you can fly a circuit without the ASI getting off the stop. I think they are more vulnerable to cross/tailwinds manoeuvring on the ground without due care and attention than on takeoff or landing. They’re one of those aircraft that have to flown even when they’re stationary...

[A and C]

If you are a pilot flying a Cub is not something you should miss out on, pure flying pleasure !

[shortstripper]

I think they are more vulnerable to cross/tailwinds manoeuvring on the ground without due care and attention than on takeoff or landing. They’re one of those aircraft that have to flown even when they’re stationary...

Above is very true!

For landing and taking off, our L4 is easy in a crosswind compared to some taildraggers I've flown. I've landed at Priory farm (not that short but narrow) with a 90 degree 15 knot crosswind with no problem. The Cub lets you feel what is going on and is very responsive.

Slow yes, but if you're not in a hurry - Go for it! :ok:

[piperboy84]

With a Cub there is no such thing as a crosswind, silly billy.

[Rod1]

I have flown a cub (about 7 hours) and it is a very good aircraft for having a bit of fun. It is however a lot of money compared with a lot of similar aircraft which are also a lot of fun.

Rod1

[mary meagher]

The Piper J3 cub and the Supercub are classic. Multi purpose. If you look after it and don't bend it, you may well end up making money when the time comes to sell it. The Cub can be fitted with skis or tundra tyres, the J3 makes a very good seaplane with floats. The 150 Cub is an acceptable glider tug, and will earn its keep. The 180 Cub is a bit nose heavy and needs special care not to tip over, but the amazing power to weight ratio means it can tow up the heaviest gliders full of water, only a Pawnee can do better, and you can't train a tug pilot in a Pawnee because he would have to sit on your lap.

But even if you do tip up the Cub or tip it over, it will still look after you, and you will most likely walk away, such is the great virtue of arriving at a sedate speed. (if you ever do end up upside down, be very very very careful about releasing the seatbelt, as a sudden release can injure your neck.)

Special care in handling after touchdown is called for; particularly in cross winds; if you are taxying walking pace and are caught by a gust, the Cub may go where it likes, which can be embarassing. Be cautious using the wheel brakes. Gently does it. I did tip my Cub on its nose in an Irish bog, at walking pace; there was no damage. Nice soft bog.