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Pilot Resources Aircraft & Ownership Aircraft Guide Piper J-3 Cub

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    Photography by Mike Fizer.

Piper J-3 Cub

  • New Price: $
  • Seats:
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Overview

  • The Piper J-3 Cub is a simple and affordable light aircraft produced between 1938 and 1947. It features a lightweight design which gives it good low-speed handling properties and short-field performance. To this day, the Cub is Piper Aircraft’s second most produced model after the PA-28 Cherokee series.

    Piper J-3 Cub

Specifications

  • Powerplant

    Continental A-65

  • Propellers

  • Length

    22 ft 5 in

  • Height

    6 ft 8 in

  • Wingspan

    35 ft 3 in

  • Wing Area

    178.5 sq ft

  • Wing loading

  • Power loading

  • Cabin Width

  • Empty Weight

    680 lb

  • Maximum gross weight

  • Useful load

    540 lb

  • Payload with full fuel

  • Fuel capacity

    12 gal

  • Baggage capacity

Performance

  • Takeoff distance ground roll

  • Takeoff distance over 50-ft obstacle

  • Rate of climb sea level

  • Service ceiling

    11,500 ft

  • Landing distance over 50-ft obstacle

  • Landing distance ground roll

  • Cruise speed/endurance w/45-min rsv, std fuel (fuel consumption, ea engine) @ 75% power, best economy

    52.12 kt/hr

  • Range

    191 nm

Limiting and Recommended Airspeeds

  • VX

  • VY

  • VNE

  • VS1

  • VSO

All specifications are based on manufacturer's calculations. All performance figures are based on standard day, standard atmosphere, sea level, gross weight conditions unless otherwise noted.