Cub - Should I?
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: N/W London
Cub - Should I?
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
Any sagely words of advice?
Cheers
Joined: Jan 2008
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 650
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From: Canada
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!
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: N/W Arkansas
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 =
...good luck if you do it, lot of fun.... 
A club or partners can =
...good luck if you do it, lot of fun....
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,658
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From: Canada
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.
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.
Joined: Jun 2002
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 7,177
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From: Nanaimo (CAC8)
My heart says yes
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!
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,077
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From: Oop North, UK
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!
Last edited by foxmoth; 1st June 2015 at 06:40. Reason: Spellcheck being stupid!
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Surrey, England
Cub - a word of caution.
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.
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.
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Not a million miles from EGTF
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.
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.
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: In an ever changing place
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 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,325
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From: UK
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.
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.
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: In an ever changing place
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
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
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 56
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From: Scotland
Go for it
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.
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.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,086
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From: France
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.
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.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: UK
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
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