Piper PA-18
Super Cub
N115NS
Low time, clean and simple
VFR Super Cub
$129,000 USD
The PA-18 Super Cub is the one that helped start it all for the backcountry.
Over the years, there have been many different permutations of the venerable PA-18 Super Cub, most with a much higher price tag. However, as many long-time Super Cub pilots will tell you, none of them give you quite the experience that a real Super Cub gives you. Its simplicity, derived partially from it's younger sibling, the J-3 Cub, allows the Super Cub to deliver a more pure and basic flying experience.
This PA-18 Super Cub has lived its life in arid, dry parts of the U.S. and has lived in dry Arizona for the past decade. It spent much of its life in Wyoming, working for the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, being used for predator control. It's a clean, nice Super Cub that is now looking for a new home.
Please carefully review the specs, the detailed high resolution image gallery, and the walkaround video below. A significant effort has been made to document the specifications and history of this aircraft. If you reach out to me, I can digitally share all logbooks and important documents.
General Specifications
| Power (Lycoming O-320-A2B): | 150 HP | Recommended Engine TBO: | 2000 HRS |
| Service Ceiling: | 16,000 FT | Fuel Capacity: | 36 GAL |
| Wingspan: | 35 FT 3 IN | Height: | 6 FT 8 IN |
| Takeoff Distance (ideal): | 200 FT | Landing Distance (ideal): | 350 FT |
| Cruise Speed: | 115 MPH | Range: |
360 NM |
| Rate of Climb (optimal): | 960 FPM | Vso (Stall, Dirty): | > 38 MPHÂ |
These specifications were gathered from a variety of sources, are not guaranteed, and are subject to buyer confirmation.
Numbers at a Glance
| Born On (Airworthiness Cert): | 30 Apr 1970 |
| Factory Serial Number: | 18-8910 |
| Flight Rules: | VFR |
| Total Time on Airframe (TTAF): | 4775 hrs |
| Engine since 1989 Overhaul (SMOH): | 675 hrs |
| Engine TBO | 2000 hrs |
| Since Magneto Overhaul: | 65 hrs |
| Prop Time Since New (2024): | 35 hrs |
| Gross Weight: | 1750 lbs |
| Empty Weight: | 1109 lbs |
| Useful Load: | 641 lbs |
| Next Annual Insp Due: | Oct 2025 |
| Transponder Cert Due: | Oct 2026 |
Hours are a close approximation and will change as aircraft is flown.
Summary
- Aircraft is hangared at KPRC, Prescott Love Field, 76 nm NNW of KPHX, Phoenix Sky Harbor Int'l, Phoenix, Arizona
- Most recent annual: compressions 78/79/79/78
- Most recent maintenance performed by a highly respected, local, independent IA
- 2008 restoration: after several years of storage, aircraft was refurbished in 2008, including disassembly, thorough inspection, cleaning of wings and airframe, new fabric, new paint, new interior, and new windows and windshield.
- Aug 2003 - landing rollout accident due to flat tire
- Apr 1999 - per logs, minor repair to left wingtip and left gear
- New AD on tail has not yet been complied with - due in less than 24 months, refer to an IA for details
- Logbooks are complete since day one and are available digitally upon request
Avionics and Equipment
- Garmin GNC250 NavCom Radio w/ GPS
- Garmin GTX327 Transponder
- Uavionix Skybeacon ADS-B Out
- EI EGT/CHT - single channel (STC)
- PS Engineering PM501 Intercom
- PTT on stick, both front and back
- New Sensenich 2-blade Composite Prop 2G0M6 (2024)
- Cubcrafters VGs (Vortex Generators) (STC)
- Cubcrafters Oil Cooler Relocation Kit (STC)
- Cubcrafters Gap Seals (STC)
- Alaskan Bushwheel (ABI) Tailwheel (STC)
- BC400 Alternator System (STC)
- Dakota Cub High Pressure Brake Master Cylinder (STC)
- Univair sealed lift struts (Sept 1997)
- Atlee Dodge Long Step (STC)
Aircraft Evaluation
| As the broker, I make a significant effort to represent an aircraft in as much detail as possible. I share with you not only the benefits and features I've discovered, but also the issues or concerns that I found during my extensive intake and deep logbook review process. I present dozens of detailed, high resolution images, and an extensive walkaround video. Please review this material in detail. All logbooks and other important documents are professionally scanned, well organized, and available for your review.
My goal is that any Buyer making the effort to look at an aircraft in person can first see the aircraft "virtually" on this web page. |
Exterior - Overall, this Super Cub looks good. The paint shows well on the fuselage and has reasonable depth. The new ground-adjustable, composite prop is beautiful and contrasts nicely against the clean nose bowl and cowling.
It was apparent to me that this aircraft has not spent much time around gravel or rocks, since the lower portions of the leading edges of the gear legs and wing struts, and the leading edges of the horizontal stabilizer, are clean and not rock-chipped. There are some smudges here and there on the paint, I think it is mostly just from oily hands. The tops of the wings are dirty and could use a good cleaning, but I didn't see any "issues". This aircraft doesn't need detailing, but a professional detail job on the paint would make it absolutely stunning.
I did not note any fabric issues during the initial intake photo session. I saw no evidence of hangar rash. There is one very minor area on the outboard trailing edge of the left aileron where it looks like the underlying tape has frayed (see detailed high resolution images in the Image Gallery). This is really just a nitpick, definitely not an issue.
The Plexiglas looks nice. It was obvious to me that this aircraft has been always hangared since its 2008 restoration when all windows and the windshield were replaced. The tires look to be in good condition and have lots of tread left on them.
The Image Gallery (below) contains close-up, detailed, high resolution images so that you can get a great view of the entire aircraft exterior. The walkaround video also shows the exterior in detail.
Instrument Panel - This Super Cub has a simple VFR panel, typical for a Super Cub. Upgrades to the panel include a Garmin Nav Com radio w/ VFR GPS, and one of the most important engine gauges ever: a CHT and EGT gauge. The transponder has been upgraded to a Garmin GTX327. Both sticks have a PTT button, and a PS Engineering intercom allows easy communication between pilot and passenger.
Please refer to the "Avionics and Equipment" list above for complete details, and to the Image Gallery below for close-up images.
Interior - The spartan interior is typical of a Super Cub, with switches and gauges split across the panel and the wing root. N115NS has had its magneto switch relocated from the wing root to the instrument panel - a welcome upgrade for any Super Cub.
The Airtex leather seats are in good working order and do not exhibit any tears or unusual wear. The short pile, industrial-looking carpeting could use a good cleaning, but otherwise looks to be in reasonable condition. The skylight has an air vent which is a welcome feature for the back seat passenger (I've not seen an air vent in that location before … very nice).
Please look at the high resolution images in the Image Gallery for more details on the interior condition.
Overall - Super Cub N115NS is a good representation of a solid, basic Piper PA-18 Super Cub. It hasn't been chopped up and customized much, as are some Super Cubs out on the market. While it is sufficiently optioned for pure enjoyment "as is", it would also be a good candidate for a few upgrades which would make it a backcountry beast. If you're looking to avoid the "experimental" category of many Cub-type aircraft, and just want a standard category aircraft, this dry country Piper PA-18 Super Cub should be top of your list.
Please reach out to me so that I may answer any questions you have.
Logbooks available digitally upon request.
Aircraft Walkaround
Here is a video of a complete walkaround of the aircraft.
Detailed Image Gallery
Click an image to zoom in on it.
Specifications and aircraft condition subject to verification and are not guaranteed.
Aircraft is subject to prior sale or removal.