Piper Pa-11 Cub Special

Single Piston· 431 globally registered

The Piper PA-11 Cub Special represents a pivotal moment in post-war general aviation, bridging the legendary J-3 Cub and the more powerful Super Cub that would follow. Introduced in 1947, the PA-11 was Piper's answer to pilots who wanted more performance than the 65-hp J-3 could deliver but weren't ready for a fully redesigned aircraft. The company fitted a 90-hp Continental C90 engine to an upgraded Cub airframe, added a steerable tailwheel, and moved the fuel tank from the cabin to the wing roots, small changes that transformed the flying experience. With its distinctive rounded wingtips and that extra 25 horsepower, the PA-11 could carry two adults and camping gear into remote strips that would become the backbone of Alaska bush flying culture. Only about 1,500 were built during its brief 1947-1949 production run before Piper moved on to the PA-18 Super Cub, but the PA-11 earned a reputation for honest handling and go-anywhere capability that keeps survivors highly prized today. The type's operating envelope reflects its bush-plane DNA: a never-exceed speed of 135 knots, a stall speed below 40 knots with flaps, and a maximum structural cruising speed of 115 knots that made it equally at home on floats, skis, or tundra tires. SkyMeter has tracked 161 flights across 57 airframes and 55 operators, with YOUNG RANDY JAY, YOUNG JULIE B among the most active observed operators.