2011 (1961) Piper
PA-18 Super Cub
N3833Z
Super Cub on 35s!
Very well optioned,
restored, super clean
$179,000 USD
Piper Super Cub N3833Z
at Vinegaroon Strip, Western Arizona
The PA-18 Super Cub is the one that started 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 spent most of its life as a ranch airplane, serving the ranch owners for several decades on their large Texas ranch. It was used primarily to survey and manage the expansive ranch, and at one point even had a loudspeaker mounted in the empennage so the pilot could communicate with ranch hands on the ground. After 5 decades of service, Cub N3833Z found its new temporary home at H.O. Aircraft, a reputable aircraft restoration business based in Minnesota.
In 2011, after a year of ground-up restoration work, N3833Z came out a nearly new airplane, with practically every STC possible having been installed. While the aircraft "legally" has over 7,000 hours on the airframe, so much of the aircraft was rebuilt or replaced that in reality, N3833Z looks and behaves as if it has only several hundred hours on it. Not a whole lot, including the airframe itself, is left from its early days. It seems that H.O. Aircraft was building this Super Cub to be amphibious: it has the amphibious-type of wing vents, water rudder pulley attach brackets, float fittings, a beefed up frame, and a separate switch and circuit breaker cutout on the panel for landing gear. However, the aircraft has never been on floats.
This refreshed Super Cub, with its mid-time, upgraded 160 hp Lycoming, is in fantastic condition, is flown regularly, and is ready for its next home.
The aircraft doesn't belong to one of my clients, it is my own personal aircraft which I've flown extensively for three years. With it, I've explored every corner of Central Arizona from about 100 feet AGL. It has never let me down. I've recently acquired a Cessna 182, to be used for business travel, and it isn't practical for me to own two aircraft. So, regrettably, it's time to find a new home for this awesome Super Cub.
Please carefully review the detailed, high resolution image gallery and lengthy walkaround video below. You'll see every inch of the aircraft. If you reach out to me, I can digitally share all logbooks and important documents.
General Specifications
| Power - Lycoming O-320-B2B: | 160 HP | Recommended Engine TBO: | 2000 HRS |
| Vso (Stall, Dirty): | ~32 MPH | Fuel Capacity (2 tanks - total): | 48 GAL |
| Wingspan: | 35 FT 2 IN | Height: | ~8 FT |
| Takeoff Distance (ground roll): | ~150 FT | Landing Distance: | ~120 FT |
These specifications were gathered from a variety of sources and are not guaranteed.
Important Numbers
| Born On: | 1/9/1961 |
| Major Restoration On: | 4/20/2011 |
| Factory Serial Number: | 18-7576 |
| Flight Rules: | VFR |
| Airframe Legal Total Time (AFTT)*: | 7980 hrs |
| Airframe Total Time Since Major Restoration*: | 560 hrs |
| Engine SFOH (Lycoming factory overhaul 2003)*: | 995 hrs |
| Engine (Lycoming O-320-B2B) TBO: | 2000 hrs |
| Prop Time Since New (McCauley 1A175/8244)*: | 995 hrs |
| Gross Weight: | 2000 lbs |
| Empty Weight: | 1163.7 lbs |
| Useful Load: | 836.3 lbs |
| Next Annual Inspection Due: | Aug 2025 |
| Transponder Cert 91.413 Due: | Aug 2026 |
*Hours are a close approximation and will change as aircraft is flown.
Highlights
- Aircraft based at 18AZ SkyRanch Carefree Airport (private), 24 nm NNE of KPHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Complete restoration in 2011 by H.O. Aircraft, Blaine, MN
- Nearly every STC created for making a PA-18 backcountry-worthy has been installed on this aircraft
- Restoration spec was apparently to build out a seaplane - this aircraft has never been on water, but it is fully prepped for amphibious operations including float mount points, plumbing/switch for float gear retraction system, and water rudder pulley attach brackets
- Ongoing and current oil analysis/trend established and the reports indicate excellent engine health
- New paint (2011)
- New instrument panel (2011)
- New LP Aero windshield (2011)
- All new glass - Lexan (2011)
- New fabric - Stewart Systems (2011) w/ BASF urethane paint (White, Indigo Blue, Silver)
- Stainless steel firewall (2011)
- Dog Leg brace, ceiling X-brace
- Cubcrafters 180 HP cowling and baffling
- Wipaire 2000 lb gross weight increase
- Extended baggage access doors (lower and upper)
- Dakota Cub 24 gal extended range fuel tanks (2011)
- Recent compressions (cold) are 78/76/75/78 over 80
- Aircraft is always hangared, no hail damage or corrosion
- Damage history: June 1969 landing accident - no longer a factor since complete rebuild in 2011
- Complete logbooks since factory test flight, organized and cleanly digitized, ready for your inspection
- All ADs complied with and fully documented
Avionics and Equipment
- Garmin G5 Artificial Horizon (eliminated vacuum system)
- Icom IC-A200 COM radio w/ flip-flop freq
- PAI 700 Vertical Card Compass
- Primary instruments either replaced or overhauled during 2011 restoration
- Garmin Aera 660 GPS w/moving map (in docking panel)
- Bendix King KT-76A transponder and SSD120 alt encoder
- PS Engineering PM1000-II intercom
- uAvionix TailBeacon ADS-B OUT
- Stratus ADS-B IN (permanently mounted)
- AK-451 406 MHz ELT
- EI Volt/Amp Meter
- Mini SPT red LED dimmable instrument lighting
- Engine upgrade to 160 HP (STC)
- Borer 8244 Prop (McCauley 1A175)
- Oil Cooler (new - 2011)
- Univair sealed struts and large forks
- Landing and Taxi Lights
- Seaton Engineering "Max Pulse" light system
- Whelen HD strobes
- Aviat Husky toe brake system (STC)
- Atlee Dodge 3" extended heavy duty landing gear
- Atlee Dodge float fittings
- ABI Alaskan Bushweel 35" main tires
- ABI 6.50x10 main wheels
- ABI Baby Bushwheel wide fork and wheel
- Micro AeroDynamics VGs
- Wing gap seals
- Cubcrafters gap seals for tail controls
- Casper Labs Oil Filter Adapter
- Cubcrafters Headerless Fuel System
- Brackett Air Filter
- Steve's Aircraft Gascolator
- Odyssey SBS-J16 lightweight/compact battery
- Hooker Harness lap belts and shoulder harnesses
- PlanePower 60 amp alternator
- Thrustline Mod
- Performance Air Motive Muffler
- Atlee Dodge Main Gear Long Step
- Atlee Dodge Main Gear Safety Cable
- Auto Fuel STC
Aircraft Evaluation
| As broker, I make a significant effort to represent the aircraft up front in as much detail as possible, identifying not only the benefits and features, but also the issues that may catch your attention when you look at the aircraft in person. I present dozens of detailed, high resolution images, in some cases noting with text and arrows, directly on the image, the issues which caught my attention. All logbooks and other important documents are well organized and readily available in high resolution, digital format.
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 and through video. I am also available via FaceTime to show the aircraft. This helps a Buyer avoid surprises when they arrive to view the aircraft in person. |
Exterior - 8.5/10 The exterior of Super Cub N3833Z is in very good condition. There are no significant issues to note, though there are several nitpicks which include some minor paint chipping around the engine nacelle and a couple of other cosmetic issues which are clearly documented in the image gallery below. Paint depth and shine are excellent, as H.O. Aircraft did a beautiful job with the Stewart Systems fabric recover and the urethane paint. The Borer prop is in good condition and shows typical wear for its age. The nearly new windshield is clear and has only a few minor scuffs on the inside which aren't easily seen. The Lexan glass on the sides is also fairly new. The pilot left-side window shows a fair amount of light scuffs, presumably from being opened and closed against a tight weatherproofing strip - not an issue, but in all fairness, this must be disclosed. The Alaskan Bushwheels, both mains and tailwheel, are in good condition (I go to extremes to avoid landing on anything other than dirt or grass).
Please review the detailed, high resolution images in the image gallery below for close-up views of the exterior.
Instrument Panel - 7/10 The instrument panel on Super Cub N3833Z was custom-built during the restoration and is clean and well organized. The Garmin G5 was a tasteful upgrade, eliminating the entire vacuum system and providing a significant amount of information in one package. The COM radio has flip-flop frequencies, and the permanently-mounted Garmin Aera 660 provides a moving map with its own GPS (which also serves the Garmin G5). A TailBeacon provides ADS-B OUT, and a permanently mounted Stratus ADS-B IN receiver w/ AHRS, conveniently located against the right wing root, provides wireless GPS data for iPad/ForeFlight and other similar tablet-based EFB systems.
One of my favorite features of the panel is the MaxPulse landing and taxi light controller. This unit allows you to control how, and how often, the landing and taxi lights pulse during operation. This arrangement makes the aircraft significantly more visible to distant aircraft. My only nitpick about the panel is that after the vacuum system was removed, the "Suction" round-dial instrument wasn't removed. This is not an issue, just an annoyance.
For additional details on the panel, please see the equipment list above. The image gallery below provides high resolution, close-up images of the entire instrument panel.
Interior - 8.5/10 The spartan interior is overall in great shape. The nostalgic "ribbed" seats, seen so commonly in the early Super Cubs, are in good condition and are surprisingly comfortable. I flew this aircraft from Arizona to Montana and back last year, and not once did I have an issue with seat comfort. All side panels, roof liner, and flooring were installed new during the 2011 restoration, and still look practically new. There are no significant scrapes, scratches, or issues in the interior. Overall, it looks as good as it does in the image gallery pictures below.
Engine - The previously stock 150 horsepower Lycoming O-320 has been replaced under an STC with a Lycoming factory overhauled O-320-B2B 160 horsepower engine which is now mid-time. The engine has run without any issues. The engine compartment is clean and void of pesky oil leaks. I have been faithful about doing an oil analysis every time the oil is changed. The analysis reports continue to indicate excellent engine health and are available digitally along with the other aircraft documents.
Overall - I know this aircraft very well, and it has proven itself to be reliable. If it were not for practicality, I would not be selling N3833Z. I am comfortable taking this aircraft in and out of remote backcountry strips, and at the same time, I can take it to a fly-in and know I will receive compliments on how great it looks. This is one of the nicest real Piper Super Cubs around.
Please reach out to me so that I may answer any questions you have.
Logbooks available digitally upon request.
As Featured on YouTube
Here I am being interviewed with N3833Z
Aircraft Walkaround
Here is a video of a complete walkaround of the aircraft.
Detailed Images
85 High Resolution Images
Click any image to see a gallery of larger images.
Specifications and aircraft condition subject to verification and are not guaranteed.
Aircraft is subject to prior sale or removal.