Piper Aircraft Pa-18

Single Piston

The Piper PA-18 Super Cub stands as one of aviation's most beloved and enduring designs, a high-wing taildragger that has defined backcountry flying since its introduction in 1949. Built by Piper Aircraft as an evolution of the earlier J-3 Cub, the Super Cub brought more power, greater payload, and legendary short-field performance to bush pilots, flight schools, and agricultural operators worldwide. Its robust steel-tube fuselage, fabric covering, and tandem seating made it equally at home on remote gravel strips, floats, or skis—capabilities that earned it a devoted following from Alaska to the Australian Outback. Powered by engines ranging from 90 to 180 horsepower (most commonly the 150-hp Lycoming O-320), the Super Cub can lift off in under 200 feet and land in even less, a performance envelope unmatched by most modern aircraft. Its slow-flight handling and docile stall characteristics made it the trainer of choice for tailwheel endorsements, while its ruggedness supported decades of pipeline patrol, wildlife survey, and glider towing operations. The type remained in production until 1994, with over 10,000 built, and inspired numerous clones and modern recreations including the CubCrafters Carbon Cub and American Legend Cub. Today the Super Cub remains a working aircraft in remote regions and a prized vintage taildragger among recreational pilots. SkyMeter has tracked 3 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with MGS GROUP PTY. LTD. the largest observed operator.