Piper Pa-18

Single Piston

The Piper PA-18 Super Cub is one of general aviation's most beloved and enduring designs, a fabric-covered taildragger that first flew in 1949 and remained in continuous production until 1994. Built as an evolution of the earlier J-3 Cub, the Super Cub added a more powerful engine (typically 150 hp), flaps, and a strengthened airframe, transforming a gentle trainer into a genuine workhorse capable of bush flying, glider towing, pipeline patrol, and aerial advertising. Its short-field performance is legendary—takeoff rolls under 200 feet and climb rates exceeding 1,000 feet per minute made it the aircraft of choice for Alaska bush pilots, backcountry adventurers, and anyone needing to operate from unimproved strips, sandbars, and mountain ridges. The Super Cub's slow-flight handling is equally remarkable, with a stall speed around 38 knots in landing configuration and docile characteristics throughout the envelope. This makes it ideal for banner towing, where pilots must hook and release advertising banners at low altitude and slow speed—a mission that demands precision, visibility, and forgiveness. The tandem seating, large windows, and high wing provide excellent sightlines, while the rugged landing gear absorbs the punishment of rough-field operations. Thousands were built for military liaison and observation roles (designated L-18 and L-21), and the type saw service in conflicts from Korea to Vietnam. Today the Super Cub enjoys a thriving second life in both restored originals and modern recreations. CubCrafters and American Legend produce factory-new variants with modern avionics and powerplants, while the used market remains strong for vintage airframes. The PA-18's combination of STOL capability, simplicity, and sheer flying joy has made it an icon—equally at home on Alaskan glaciers, Midwestern grass strips, and coastal beaches trailing advertising banners on summer afternoons. SkyMeter has tracked 42 flights across 11 airframes and 9 operators, with VAN WAGNER AERIAL MEDIA LLC the largest observed operator.