Plans-Built Super Cub: The Ultimate “Jeep of the Skies”

The plans-built Super Cub is not just an airplane; it is a declaration of independence. While others buy pre-fabricated “bolt-together” kits, the scratch-builder starts with nothing but raw 4130 steel tubing and sheets of spruce. Based on the legendary Piper PA-18 design, this handcrafted version is the gold standard for bush flying. It is the airplane that proves that with a welding torch and enough determination, you can build a machine capable of landing exactly where roads don’t exist.

Why Is It a Legend?

The King of STOL: The Super Cub is the undisputed champion of Short Take-Off and Landing. It was designed to operate from gravel bars, mountain ridges, and soggy meadows. If there is 200 feet of open space, a Super Cub can get in—and more importantly, get back out.

The Mastery of Steel and Fabric: Unlike modern aluminum or composite planes, the Super Cub relies on a welded chromoly steel tube fuselage. Building from plans means you cut, notch, and weld every cluster yourself. The result is an incredibly rugged structure that is—crucially—repairable in the field with a simple torch and some fabric patches.

The Chameleon of the Air: It is the most versatile platform in aviation history. You can fit it with giant 35-inch “tundra” tires for rocky riverbeds, skis for the Alaskan snow, or floats for the lake country. By building from scratch, you can optimize the weight and balance for your specific mission.

Infinite Customization: Because you aren’t limited by a manufacturer’s kit, plans-builders often create “Super” Super Cubs. They add vortex generators, extended flaps, squared-off wings, and high-compression engines. It is a 1950s airframe upgraded with 21st-century bush technology.

Performance and Key Numbers

A plans-built Super Cub is often lighter than the original factory versions, which dramatically improves its “jump-off-the-ground” performance.

General Specifications:

• Crew: 2 (pilot and passenger in tandem)

• Wingspan: 35 ft 3 in (10.74 m)

• Length: 22 ft 7 in (6.88 m)

• Wing Area: 178.5 sq ft (16.58 m²)

• Empty Weight: 950 – 1,100 lbs (430 – 500 kg) (Builder dependent)

• Max Takeoff Weight: 1,750 lbs (794 kg) – often higher with modifications.

• Useful Load: Approx. 700 lbs (320 kg)

• Typical Engine Power: 150 – 180 hp (Lycoming O-320, O-360, or Titan clones)

Performance:

• Cruise Speed: 105 – 115 mph (170 – 185 km/h)

• Stall Speed: 38 mph (61 km/h) – Even lower with “slats” or STOL kits.

• Rate of Climb: 900 – 1,200 ft/min (4.5 – 6 m/s)

• Takeoff Distance: 200 ft (60 m) – A “clacker” on the beach.

• Landing Distance: 300 ft (90 m)

• Fuel Consumption: 8 – 10 gallons per hour (30 – 38 L/h)

In short, the Plans-Built Super Cub is for the pilot who wants no limits. It is for the person who enjoys the grit of the workshop as much as the freedom of a mountain summit. It is the “Jeep” of the skies: rugged, reliable, and capable of taking you to places other pilots can only see from 10,000 feet.