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Piper Cub Followers

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Key Takeaways:

  • The iconic Piper Cub, introduced in the 1930s, has undergone numerous design improvements due to its enduring popularity and the need for modernization.
  • Piper itself evolved the design through several iterations, including the Cub Coupe, Cub Special, and most significantly the Super Cub (PA-18), which featured increased horsepower, added flaps, and expanded fuel capacity.
  • After Piper ceased Super Cub production, companies like Aviat, CubCrafters, and American Legend continued the aircraft's legacy by developing and producing modern, often more powerful, and sometimes LSA-compliant versions.
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The simple design, appealing shape and fun flying characteristics of the Piper Cub put a glint in the eye of most pilots. Countless aviators trained and made their first solo flights in this beloved bird. But, being introduced in the 1930s, it’s no wonder the original Cub design could benefit from some improving modifications. Piper went through several iterations of the design, and a few companies have made a business of producing modern versions of C.G. Taylor’s ingenious little airplane.

Piper Cub Coupe
Introduced in 1939, the Piper J-4 Cub Coupe featured a door on each side of a wider fuselage that was able to accommodate a side-by-side seating arrangement. Despite an upgrade to Continental’s 75-horsepower engine in later versions, the Coupe’s cruise speed didn’t increase much over the J-3 Cubs’.

Pia Bergqvist

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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