Piper J-3 Cub
Piston single engine • High Wing • Conventional gear
Range Visualization
Origin:
· nm at current load
· click map to move · two fingers to move map
Payload vs. Range
Configure weights
Default: 190 lbs
Default: 30 lbs
lbs
lbs / pax
Fuel on board
Extra weight
Range
Available Range
/ nm
Mission capable.
Aircraft can handle the current load with full fuel tanks.
Fuel tradeoff required.
You'll need to leave gallons of fuel behind
( gal usable for nm range).
Over max gross weight.
Reduce payload by lbs
to safely operate this aircraft.
Extra weight is the additional payload available with your selected passengers.
Mission Profile
Endorsements & ratings:
- • Tailwheel
65
KTAS
Cruise Speed
2
Occupants
191
nm
Max Range
383
lbs
Wet Payload
MOSAIC Eligible
Sport Pilot can fly
About the Piper J-3 Cub
Overview
The Piper J-3 Cub is perhaps the most iconic light aircraft in aviation history. Built between 1938 and 1947, this tandem-seat taildragger became the definitive flight trainer for a generation of pilots and is famous for its simple design and “Cub Yellow” paint.
Key Features for GA Buyers
- Pure Stick-and-Rudder: Offers an authentic, minimalist flying experience with exceptional low-speed handling.
- Ease of Maintenance: The simple steel-tube and fabric construction is well-understood by mechanics worldwide.
- Community Support: An enormous enthusiast following ensures that parts, advice, and social fly-ins are always available.
Trade-offs
- Slow Performance: With a cruise speed around 65 knots, it is not a cross-country machine; it’s designed for local “low and slow” enjoyment.
- Operational Quirks: Must be flown solo from the rear seat for weight and balance; visibility from the back during taxiing and takeoff requires frequent S-turns.
- Minimal Range: The standard 12-gallon header tank provides limited endurance, often cited as “two hours and a splash of nerves.”
See Also
Technical Specifications
Dimensions & Weights
- Height
- 6.7 ft
- Length
- 22.4 ft
- Parking area (ft2)
- 1238.48 ft2
- Max Takeoff Weight
- 1,220 lbs
- Max Landing Weight
- 1,220 lbs
- Useful Load
- 455 lbs
- Fuel Capacity
- 12 gal
Performance
- Cruise Speed
- 65 KTAS
- Never-Exceed (Vne)
- 106 KIAS
- Max Structural Cruise (Vno)
- 78 KIAS
- Approach Speed
- 45 KIAS
- Stall, Clean (Vs1)
- 33 KIAS
- Range
- 191 NM
- Service Ceiling
- 11,500 ft
- Rate of Climb
- 450 fpm
- Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle
- 730 ft
- Landing ground roll
- 290 ft
Similar to the Piper J-3 Cub
Similar PistonsAero Commander 200
Cruise
183 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
900 nm (higher than this aircraft)
Seats
4
Aeronca 11 Chief
Cruise
83 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
360 nm (higher than this aircraft)
Seats
2
Aeronca 7AC Champion
Cruise
74 kts (higher than this aircraft)
Range
230 nm (higher than this aircraft)
Seats
2
See how the Piper J-3 Cub stacks up against similar aircraft