Photo above – A modernized 2,300 lb. gross weight PA-18 Super Cub on WipLine amphibious floats – Photo courtesy of CubCrafters.
CubCrafters has announced the public availability of its Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) that increases the gross weight of the Piper PA-18 Super Cub to 2,300 lbs.
Originally obtained by CubCrafters in 2007 and updated in 2012, this STC has previously been used primarily for in-house work, but now the company is reaching out with the upgrade to the broader market for inclusion in more Super Cub restorations and overhauls than ever before.
“This STC was a critical part of our internal certification program for the Top Cub almost two decades ago,” said Brad Damm, CubCrafters Vice President. “Given the increasing demand for performance enhancements in legacy Super Cubs, we believe the time is right to make this valuable capability more easily available to qualified aircraft owners, operators, and shops.”
“Our mission has always been to blend innovation with heritage,” added Patrick Horgan, CubCrafters President and CEO. “We’re committed to giving classic aircraft like the Super Cub new life by applying modern engineering solutions that significantly enhance performance, safety, and mission capability.”
The STC increases the certified gross weight of eligible PA-18 aircraft from 1,750 lbs. to 2,300 lbs., offering more than a 30% boost in payload capacity—an enhancement that is particularly attractive to backcountry pilots and operators who depend on every available pound for gear, fuel, and safety margins. Float-equipped aircraft owners will also find this STC very appealing, as the increased legal useful load makes it feasible to comfortably carry two people, fuel, and baggage—something often difficult or impossible under the Super Cub’s previous weight limits.
Extensive overhaul work is required for the aircraft to be eligible for the 2,300 lb. gross weight increase, including a structurally upgraded airframe, new wings and landing gear assemblies, a 180 HP engine with a stronger engine mount, and specialized aerodynamic devices like tail strakes and vortex generators. These enhancements were designed and tested to modernize Piper’s original Super Cub design, increasing both performance and safety.
CubCrafters is offering this STC to interested customers as part of total aircraft overhauls done through its own factory Services department in Yakima, WA, but also intends to package the STC with the required structurally upgraded parts and assemblies for use by external third-party aircraft maintainers and restorers.
Johnny McKinney, CubCrafters’ Aircraft Maintenance Services Manager, notes that most other popular Super Cub STCs are complementary to the 2,300 lb. GW increase STC. “Our customers will often incorporate modern avionics, a constant speed propeller, tundra tires, or a belly pod as part of their overhaul project — all of which can also be incorporated into a 2,300 lb. gross weight Super Cub project.”
Owners interested in upgrading their aircraft with the STC can contact CubCrafters Services in Yakima, WA for eligibility details, pricing, and installation requirements.
