Cessna 170 vs Piper PA-18 Super Cub
Head-to-head — specs, at a glance.
iSeats
4 · 2
Engine
piston single · piston single
Gear
Fixed · Fixed
Cessna 170Piper PA-18 Super Cub
Cruise speedKTAS
104
100
Stall speed (Vs0)lower is betterKIAS
45
37
Useful loadlbs
940
752
Full-fuel payloadlbs
718
536
Service ceilingft
15.5k
19.0k
Fuel burnlower is bettergph
8
9
Cruise MPGmpg
15.0
12.8
Typical pricelower is betterUSD
$107k
$171k
Cessna 170
- +Excellent backcountry performer with tailwheel gear and Fowler flaps
- +Strong parts availability through Cessna, Univair, and Wag-Aero
- +Simple airframe and Continental O-300 engine familiar to most A&Ps
- !Fabric-wing models (1948-1949) require expensive re-covering ($15K-$45K per wing)
- !145 HP engine marginal at high density altitude and gross weight
- !70+ year old airframes demand thorough corrosion inspection
Piper PA-18 Super Cub
- +Legendary backcountry performer with 200 ft takeoff roll
- +Massive parts ecosystem and mechanic familiarity
- +Benign handling and exemplary stall characteristics
- !Slow cruise (100 KTAS) limits cross-country utility
- !Tandem seating and modest payload reduce flexibility
- !Fabric airframe requires regular inspection and eventual recovery
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