The Piper Cub’s Timeless Appeal Continues

A pilot's first flight training experience helps to shape their lifetime of flight adventures. Thousands of American pilots have discovered the joy of powered flight through the Piper Cub (or its descendants). This iconic "low and slow" training and sport aviation aircraft remains popular with pilots of every generation.The Piper J-3 Cub's IntroductionAccording to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, the lightweight Piper J-3 Cub debuted in 1937 as an easy-to-operate flight trainer. This high-wing monoplane was 22 feet 5 inches long with a 35-foot 3-inch wingspan. The J-3 Cub's steel-tube fuselage was covered with fabric, enabling a straightforward production sequence. Here's how the Piper J-3 Cub story unfolded. In the late 1920s, ex-barnstormer brothers C. Gilbert and Gordon Taylor formed the Rochester, New York-based Taylor Brothers Aircraft Company. While they were marketing their two-seat "Chummy" monoplane, Gordon Taylor was killed in a crash. Undeterred, Gilbert Taylor relocated to Bradford, Pennsylvania, where business-friendly town leaders provided a $50,000 investment for his fledgling Taylor Company. Gilbert built five Chummy aircraft before the Great Depression shut down company operations. However, one Taylor Company investor saw an opportunity. Oilman William T. Piper funded the construction of an aircraft projected to sell for half the Chummy's cost. The E-2 airplane's two-cylinder "Tiger Kitten" engine was woefully underpowered, but this misstep had a silver lining. Gilbert Taylor's accountant unknowingly sparked the Piper Cub brand, saying an aircraft with a "kitten" engine should be called a "cub." After the Taylor Company fell into bankruptcy in 1930, William T. Piper bought the business's assets, keeping Gilbert Taylor as president. With a bigger engine, the Taylor E-2 sold over 300 units. Piper's plan for owner-requested aircraft improvements spurred multiple design changes and the launch of the Taylor J-2. However, Gilbert Taylor strongly opposed the new aircraft's design. William T. Piper simply bought him out and moved the company to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. The newly launched Piper Aircraft Corporation produced the Piper J-2 Cub and the J-3 Cub at the facility. The J-3 Cub featured a bigger engine, brakes, and a better cable and control system. Finally, Piper standardized the Piper Cub Yellow color accented by black trim, a hallmark of this iconic little aircraft. The J-3 Cub's World War II Contributions Before the United States entered World War II, the government launched the Civilian Pilot Training Program (or CPTP). This initiative turbo-charged Piper J-3 Cub sales, with 3,016 aircraft rolling off the assembly line in 1940. For perspective, a full 75% of Civilian Pilot Training Program participants trained on J-3 Cubs. Many pilots received advanced aircraft training during their military service. As Simple Flying notes, the Piper Aircraft Corporation modified the Piper Cub to suit the United States Army's wartime needs. Named the Piper L-4 Grasshopper, this olive-green Cub was given higher-visibility windows. However, mechanically, the aircraft was identical to the J-3 Piper Cub. The United States government purchased 5,677 L-4 Grasshoppers during World War II. The L-4 Grasshoppers were "jack of all trades" airplanes. The aircraft saw service as an air ambulance plus an observation and liaison aircraft. When the J-3 Cub's production ceased in 1947, an impressive 19,888 aircraft had joined the United States' Piper Cub fleet. The Piper Cub's Evolution Continues Although the Piper J-3 Cub ceased production in 1947, Simple Flying highlights Piper Aircraft Corporation's two new Cub models. Each aircraft commanded a niche in the small, easy-to-fly aircraft market. The Piper Cub SpecialThe Piper Aircraft Corporation's next Cub version was the Piper PA-11 Cub Special. Although the new aircraft matched the J-3 Cub's dimensions, the Cub Special sported two improvements. The Cub Special's fully enclosed Continental C90-8 engine boasted 95 horsepower and a l00mph top cruising speed. These metrics compare to the J-3 Cub's 65-horsepower engine that enabled an 80mph top speed. The Cub Special featured a more spacious interior, accommodating two passengers plus the pilot. During two years of production, approximately 1,500 aircraft rolled off the Piper Aircraft Corporation's assembly line. The Piper Super Cub The Piper PA-18, commonly called the Piper Super Cub, shared the previous two Cubs' exterior dimensions. However, the Super Cub featured wing flaps and a new interior electrical system. Perhaps most importantly, the Piper Super Cub typically contained the 150-hp Lycoming O-320 engine - considerably more powerful than the aircraft's two predecessors' power plants. The Piper Super Cub was wildly popular, with over 10,000 units making their way out of the Piper Aircraft Corporation's manufacturing facility. Piper Cubs in the 21st CenturyAs the Piper J-3 Cub approaches its centennial anniversary, antique airplane aficionados still appreciate this spunky little airplane. In today's high-tech era, aircraft manufacturer CubCrafters uses current technology to transform the original Piper Cub into four Carbon Cub models. CubCrafters' Wildly Popular Carbon Cub Hartzell Propeller highlights CubCrafters' 2009 introduction of the Carbon Cub Light Sport aircraft. Drawing inspiration from the J-3 Cub, CubCrafters' engineers produced a brand-new structural design via computer-aided design software. The Carbon Cub contains numerous lightweight carbon fiber components and is approximately 300 pounds lighter than a similarly outfitted Super Cub. The Carbon Cub also has half the number of parts as the Super Cub. Despite its reduced weight, the innovative Carbon Cub doesn't compromise on performance. The Light Sport aircraft boasts an impressive 180hp Titan CC340 engine. This optimal combination enables excellent Short Takeoff and Landing (or STOL) execution whether on an airport runway or a remote air strip. Early-adopter customers enthusiastically embraced the just-launched Carbon Cub, making it the United States' top-selling Light Sport airplane. The Carbon Cub's Safety FeaturesCubCrafters emphasizes the Carbon Cub's safety enhancements. First, a chromoly steel fuselage provides the aircraft's occupants with a protective cage. Practical static testing ensures that the Carbon Cub has the most substantial structure in its aircraft class. The Carbon Cub's extremely slow stall speed makes it a safer aircraft to fly. Four 21st-Century Carbon Cubs• Carbon Cub UL: The newest CubCrafters offering, this aircraft meets the United States' Light Sport parameters. The Carbon Cub UL also conforms to numerous international Ultralight standards. • Carbon Cub SS: This super-light manufacturer-produced Light Sport aircraft boasts an industry-leading power-to-weight ratio. • Carbon Cub FX: This Builder-Assist / Experimental Amateur-Built airplane can receive a 2,000-lb. gross weight certification. The builder requires seven days' fabrication time. • Carbon Cub EX: This complete aircraft kit can earn a 2,000-lb. gross weight certification. The Carbon Cub EX-2 can also become a Light Sport aircraft. A typical customer will spend 800 to 1,000 hours building this aircraft. Carbon Cubs Beckon Pilots to Backcountry EscapesIn the 21st century's third decade, general aviation pilots generally fall into two camps. Technology enthusiasts enjoy sophisticated aircraft that foster upscale flight experiences. At the other end of the spectrum, an increasing number of pilots choose destinations (and aircraft) that bring elegant simplicity and nature together. The e3 Aviation Association says these adventurers revel in an unforgettable backcountry escape. Some backcountry pilots seek out remote Alaskan sand bars while others touch down in small mountain meadows. Dirt and gravel air strips are also found throughout the backcountry. Each adventurous pilot chooses a STOL aircraft designed to perform in these primitive, unforgiving conditions. That's where the CubCrafters Carbon Cub really shines. A descendant of the Piper J-3 Cub, this super-light aircraft's powerful engine enables it to excel in the backcountry's unpredictable environments. The Carbon Cub requires less than 150 feet of takeoff length - and the aircraft can land on an even shorter airstrip. Montana Carbon Cub owner Jake Miller succinctly voices the essence of backcountry flying. "It's a game-changer — I can land on a sandbar, fish for trout, and take off again in minutes." A leisurely backcountry jaunt offers a chance to camp, hike, fish, or hunt in places inaccessible to wheeled vehicles. Backcountry pilots also have numerous opportunities to build their short-field landing and takeoff skills. Not surprisingly, backcountry pilots tend to congregate into their own close-knit community. Preparation is Key for Backcountry Flights Backcountry flights aren't for the casual, ill-prepared pilot. First, buying or building a STOL aircraft involves considerable expense. Once the aircraft is operational, pilots need well-maintained precision flying skills. Challenging air strips and crazy weather are often the norm. Finally, self-reliance is key, as the backcountry lacks parts stores and aircraft maintenance facilities. Thoroughly prepared pilots can confidently steer their Carbon Cubs toward spectacular scenery and rewarding flight experiences.