Piper Super Cub : Whats it like?
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That's another nice thing about Aeroncas (like Cubs, Taylorcrafts and Luscombes) - they've got historical interest, whereas Super Cubs are of the same era of the C172 and PA-28.
As most people here know, I love my 150HP Super Cub so much I get tears in my eyes just thinking about it. If you get a chance, fly one.
QDM
Join Date: Sep 2005
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I'm confused!
I thought the Super Cub was 150 hp with electric start and flaps,and the Cub has 65 hp hand start,or 90hp electric start but no flaps on either model.
Is this wrong?
Lister
I thought the Super Cub was 150 hp with electric start and flaps,and the Cub has 65 hp hand start,or 90hp electric start but no flaps on either model.
Is this wrong?
Lister
Lister
I know someone will have the definitive answer but I've flown a PA-18-95 Super Cub, so that wasn't a 150 HP.
PS Just found a share closer to home than yours and now can't afford it.
I know someone will have the definitive answer but I've flown a PA-18-95 Super Cub, so that wasn't a 150 HP.
PS Just found a share closer to home than yours and now can't afford it.
Isn't the C90 engine'd Supercub an L18-C, which is the military designation?
edited to say that the way I think of it, the Supercub has a cowled engine, whereas the Cub does not. I'm sure someone will show me the error of my ways...
edited to say that the way I think of it, the Supercub has a cowled engine, whereas the Cub does not. I'm sure someone will show me the error of my ways...
Last edited by Andy_RR; 1st Mar 2007 at 17:03.
No, Lister, I really can't afford it. It's a half share and, what with a few changes at the JAFO ranch, it's currently out of reach.
Ah well, such is life. One day.
Ah well, such is life. One day.
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Browsing the web a bit I've concluded that I didn't know anything about Super Cub history! It seems that even in 1949 it was offered with an electrical starter, flaps and a 115hp engine.
Yes, and I think the standard 150hp version was first offered in 1951 or thereabouts.
edited to say that the way I think of it, the Supercub has a cowled engine, whereas the Cub does not. I'm sure someone will show me the error of my ways...
I thought the Super Cub was 150 hp with electric start and flaps,and the Cub has 65 hp hand start,or 90hp electric start but no flaps on either model.
Is this wrong?
Is this wrong?
Isn't the C90 engine'd Supercub an L18-C, which is the military designation?
They're all great to fly. Many people swear by the 90HP and it is very economical, but it lacks the grunt to get you out of anywhere really short and you really feel the difference above 5,000 feet.
Some say that Super Cubs don't need flaps and that that is another reason why the 90HP version is better, but that isn't true. The 90HP Super Cub is a lot lighter than the larger versions and it's true it doesn't really need flaps. The larger versions are much heavier and they do need flaps. They make an enormous difference and are very effective for both lift and drag. And slipping with full flap in the 150HP version is quite an experience.
QDM
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Roots Sherpa, highly modified PA-18 Super Cub,
400-hp Lycoming IO-720, 2,200-lb useful load. Regular span version, (un-clipped wing) will hold more fuel, but useful load is not increased. This is not a computer generated image. It is a real aircraft. I hope I haven't caused a cessation of discourse on the truly classic PA-18 airframe.
400-hp Lycoming IO-720, 2,200-lb useful load. Regular span version, (un-clipped wing) will hold more fuel, but useful load is not increased. This is not a computer generated image. It is a real aircraft. I hope I haven't caused a cessation of discourse on the truly classic PA-18 airframe.
Last edited by evansb; 4th Mar 2007 at 00:01.
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The Super Cub
Otherwise a fairly conventional tailwheel ... however, I think the fellow who coined the phrase "the most fun you can have with your clothes on" certainly was talking about SuperCubs ...
Let's dispose of this one first. I'd suggest, from experience, that a night sky dive trumps flying a Super Cub (and yes, I have sky-dived out of a Super Cub but that was in daylight...).
Now, where were we. Oh yes. My first tail wheel flying was in a 135HP ex Dutch military Super Cub - the second was was an hour later in a Terrior (now that's what I call "character building"). Took to it very well in the end. I'd got about 18 hours P1 by then (C152) and 50 hrs dual.
Don't recall it being hard to fly but... what was different was the tail wheel ethos.
Glide approaches (no throttle against brakes as it was explained to me), low flying, gentle opening and closing the throttle, watch out for the wind turning the 'plane on the ground, holding off on landing in the three point attitude....
One thing was explained to me (it worked for two cases). Watch where things are pointing as that tells you which foot to press on the rudder.
1) The turn and bank has a pointer which points to the foot you press on the rudder to keep it in balance
2) Whichever side of the nose the propeller goes tells you which foot to press when taking off.
Other than that, Super Cubs are great fun. Haven't flown one for years now (did fly one of floats) - got sidetracked by skids rather than tail wheels and then moved onto a Cub which is only a cycle ride away.
Let's dispose of this one first. I'd suggest, from experience, that a night sky dive trumps flying a Super Cub (and yes, I have sky-dived out of a Super Cub but that was in daylight...).
Now, where were we. Oh yes. My first tail wheel flying was in a 135HP ex Dutch military Super Cub - the second was was an hour later in a Terrior (now that's what I call "character building"). Took to it very well in the end. I'd got about 18 hours P1 by then (C152) and 50 hrs dual.
Don't recall it being hard to fly but... what was different was the tail wheel ethos.
Glide approaches (no throttle against brakes as it was explained to me), low flying, gentle opening and closing the throttle, watch out for the wind turning the 'plane on the ground, holding off on landing in the three point attitude....
One thing was explained to me (it worked for two cases). Watch where things are pointing as that tells you which foot to press on the rudder.
1) The turn and bank has a pointer which points to the foot you press on the rudder to keep it in balance
2) Whichever side of the nose the propeller goes tells you which foot to press when taking off.
Other than that, Super Cubs are great fun. Haven't flown one for years now (did fly one of floats) - got sidetracked by skids rather than tail wheels and then moved onto a Cub which is only a cycle ride away.
Join Date: Jun 2002
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This is what it's like to fly:
Yesterday, nice day, very wet, about 10 knots southwesterly, no-one else flying -- too muddy, but we don't care.
Haul the machine out, mud everywhere, stick the dog in the back and climb in.
Fly from the strip to home, about 10 minutes, land in one of the many fields near the house which I use, about 15% gradient, 300 yards, out of wind and across the slope.
Have a cup of tea.
Take off 11.30 with the missus, 12.10 at Bolt Head, 60 miles away. (http://www.devonstrut.co.uk/pages/ai.../bolthead.htm). Fence is acros the strip, reducing it to 400m -- irrelevant to us. Checked out River Dart on the way and circled around to watch crazy canoeists.
Walk down the hill into Salcombe for lunch. Potter about.
Back to the strip after lunch.
Low level around the coast then up to Dartmoor, Tavistock, Bude, North along coast, stop in friend's field by the coast for a pee and a breather, creating two large furrows in the process and spumes of mud over the wings and fuselage (bugger!), then Hartland and to Saunton, check out Hercules doing beach landings, open the door and take some nice pics, back along the Torridge estuary lowish level, Eggesford at 4pm and at school parents evening for 5pm.
I won't say there's nothing else you can do this in, but it sure is fun and stress-free in a Super Cub. Didn't have to talk to anybody either.
QDM
Yesterday, nice day, very wet, about 10 knots southwesterly, no-one else flying -- too muddy, but we don't care.
Haul the machine out, mud everywhere, stick the dog in the back and climb in.
Fly from the strip to home, about 10 minutes, land in one of the many fields near the house which I use, about 15% gradient, 300 yards, out of wind and across the slope.
Have a cup of tea.
Take off 11.30 with the missus, 12.10 at Bolt Head, 60 miles away. (http://www.devonstrut.co.uk/pages/ai.../bolthead.htm). Fence is acros the strip, reducing it to 400m -- irrelevant to us. Checked out River Dart on the way and circled around to watch crazy canoeists.
Walk down the hill into Salcombe for lunch. Potter about.
Back to the strip after lunch.
Low level around the coast then up to Dartmoor, Tavistock, Bude, North along coast, stop in friend's field by the coast for a pee and a breather, creating two large furrows in the process and spumes of mud over the wings and fuselage (bugger!), then Hartland and to Saunton, check out Hercules doing beach landings, open the door and take some nice pics, back along the Torridge estuary lowish level, Eggesford at 4pm and at school parents evening for 5pm.
I won't say there's nothing else you can do this in, but it sure is fun and stress-free in a Super Cub. Didn't have to talk to anybody either.
QDM
QDM
I try never to be envious of others and to wish them all the best in all that they can do but you're pushing my limits there. Sounds terrific, though. Good on ya.
I try never to be envious of others and to wish them all the best in all that they can do but you're pushing my limits there. Sounds terrific, though. Good on ya.
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I try never to be envious of others and to wish them all the best in all that they can do but you're pushing my limits there. Sounds terrific, though. Good on ya.
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Best aircraft. Very reliable,lots of power, lightweight,short take-off and landing. Great visibility below you.
I got a run up in one for fifteen minutes and i could honestly say it was one the best flights i had. Was grinning from ear to ear for the next week or so.
Commanche 260
I got a run up in one for fifteen minutes and i could honestly say it was one the best flights i had. Was grinning from ear to ear for the next week or so.
Commanche 260
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Anyway, when are you going to get rid of that rag and tube thing and get a proper bush machine?
Both glider clubs I've been in have a super cub for tow duty. Both clubs also have 1 or two pawnees, which tow a lot better than a 150/160 hp cub. But get the glider off the back of the super cub, it's a ball to fly. Climbs great, handles nice, lands short. Not terribly fast. I probably have 60 hours in type.
-- IFMU
-- IFMU
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love it
I've been flying a super-cub for the last few years plus a couple of aerobatic
planes. Yet, whenever I climb back into the super cub its like coming home.
They are a joy to fly and great fun if you like popping in and out of short farm strips.Enjoy.
planes. Yet, whenever I climb back into the super cub its like coming home.
They are a joy to fly and great fun if you like popping in and out of short farm strips.Enjoy.
Join Date: Apr 2006
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I have only flown the 150horse super cub. A couple of things to remember with the cub.
One of the reasons it is a great strip machine is that its best ANGLE of climb configuration is 45kts and FULL flap. The exact approach profile, so if you get a little low or change your mind, open the throttle and you are at best angle of climb.
Another thing to remember is if you are taking passengers, remove the rear stick. I know of two Piper Cub crashes where the uneducated passenger put something in the pocket located behind the pilots seat which prevented the pilot getting full foward stick, which is required in a go around situation.
Another thing to remember which probabley wont be an issue for many, is that in extreme turbulance I have known of a couple of pilots that have been knocked unconsious due to their head hitting the tube above. So shoulder straps tight and head down.
The last thing I would like to mention is that if you have done all you Cub flying in a Cub with drum brakes and the oppurtunity presents itself to fly one with disc brakes (a modification) be very very cautious as they work alot better than the original drums.
All that said dont let it put you off, if there was only one aircraft I could fly it would be the Supercub.
One of the reasons it is a great strip machine is that its best ANGLE of climb configuration is 45kts and FULL flap. The exact approach profile, so if you get a little low or change your mind, open the throttle and you are at best angle of climb.
Another thing to remember is if you are taking passengers, remove the rear stick. I know of two Piper Cub crashes where the uneducated passenger put something in the pocket located behind the pilots seat which prevented the pilot getting full foward stick, which is required in a go around situation.
Another thing to remember which probabley wont be an issue for many, is that in extreme turbulance I have known of a couple of pilots that have been knocked unconsious due to their head hitting the tube above. So shoulder straps tight and head down.
The last thing I would like to mention is that if you have done all you Cub flying in a Cub with drum brakes and the oppurtunity presents itself to fly one with disc brakes (a modification) be very very cautious as they work alot better than the original drums.
All that said dont let it put you off, if there was only one aircraft I could fly it would be the Supercub.
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One of the reasons it is a great strip machine is that its best ANGLE of climb configuration is 45kts and FULL flap. The exact approach profile, so if you get a little low or change your mind, open the throttle and you are at best angle of climb.