STC Gives CubCrafters Super Cub Gross Weight Boost

Backcountry aircraft manufacturer gains 2,300-pound increase for Piper P-18.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 01:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A modernized 2,300-pound gross weight PA-18 Super Cub on WipLine amphibious floats [Courtesy: CubCrafters]

Key Takeaways:

CubCrafters has received an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to increase the gross weight of the Piper PA-18 Super Cub to 2,300 pounds.
This gross weight increase allows Super Cub owners to add significant modern upgrades like advanced avionics, constant speed propellers, and tundra tires, enhancing payload, speed, range, and mission capability.
The STC combines six core structural modifications, including stronger wings, reinforced fuselage, and a 180 hp engine mount, into a single FAA approval, simplifying the upgrade process and ensuring compatibility.
The upgrade is available as part of total aircraft overhauls at CubCrafters' factory or as a package of parts for installation by external third-party maintainers.

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CubCrafters, the Yakima, Washington-based builder of popular backcountry aircraft, has received an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to increase the gross weight of the Piper PA-18 Super Cub to 2,300 pounds—and that’s just the beginning.

According to Johnny McKinney, CubCrafters’ aircraft maintenance services manager, the gross weight increase will make it possible for SuperCub owners to add modern avionics, a constant speed propeller, tundra tires, or a belly pod.