CubCrafters XCub / Top Cub vs Piper Super Cub
Head-to-head — specs, at a glance.
iSeats
2 · 2
Engine
piston single · piston single
Gear
Fixed · Fixed
CubCrafters XCub / Top CubPiper Super Cub
Cruise speedKTAS
126
100
Stall speed (Vs0)lower is betterKIAS
40
37
Rangenm
695
400
Useful loadlbs
1,084
820
Full-fuel payloadlbs
790
604
Service ceilingft
14.0k
19.0k
Fuel burnlower is bettergph
9.5
9
Cruise MPGmpg
15.3
12.8
Typical pricelower is betterUSD
$400k
$140k
CubCrafters XCub / Top Cub
CubCrafters of Yakima, Washington has done what no other manufacturer has accomplished — taking the legendary Piper PA-18 Super Cub concept and engineering it into a modern, high-performance backcountry aircraft that dramatically exceeds the original's capabilities while maintaining its soul.
- +Pinnacle certified backcountry aircraft — 300-foot takeoff, 1,084 lbs useful load, 126 KTAS cruise
- +Exceptional economy cruise — 104 KTAS at 6 GPH enables 8+ hours endurance and 700+ nm range
- +Modern construction with strong factory support — carbon fiber design, CubCrafters-trained network, good parts availability
- !Young design with limited long-term field history — carbon fiber components are unproven over 30+ year aircraft lifespans
- !High operating costs — $18,000–$28,000 annual all-in ($5,000–$10,000 insurance alone); $100–$150/hour operating cost
- !Carbon fiber repair complexity and cost — requires CubCrafters-authorized repair; more expensive than traditional fabric/tube repairs
Piper 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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