Skyward is pleased to announce that we have added a PA-18-150 “Super Cub” to our fleet and our capabilities now extend to providing tail-wheel conversions and ab-initio PPL flight training in what is arguably one of the finest tail-wheel training aircraft ever built.
In total Piper produced 10,326 Super Cubs between 1949 and 1994 and models ranged from the PA-18-95 powered by a Continental C-90 engine through to the PA-18-150. Military variants of the Super Cub included the models L-18 and L-21 and many of these have subsequently been re-engined with the 150 hp Lycoming. Skyward’s Super Cub G-CVMI, which was built in 1957, is one of only a few genuine PA-18-150 models used for training in the UK that was originally built with the larger engine, and which is certified with a MTOW of 1750 lbs.
The 150 Super Cub’s high power to weight ratio gives the aircraft a truly sparkling performance and the ability to take off and land on even the shortest strips. At gross weight and with no wind it will lift off with only a 200-foot ground roll, and G-MI, which is fitted with a tow hook, is even certified to tow two gliders simultaneously!
Tail-wheel conversion courses are individually tailored depending on student experience but are typically structured to include an hour of general handling followed by take off and landing practice until solo standard is reached. Students embarking on a PPL course are welcome to train from the outset on our Super Cub, and having passed their skills test they will then be dual qualified to fly “tail-wheel” and “tricycle” types.
Those enrolling on either course are provided with comprehensive Super Cub Pilot Notes and we are currently working on the production of an instructional video to enhance the tail-wheel learning experience.
Congratulations to Kevin Morrissey who recently started his PPL course with Skyward for making his first ever solo flight in our Super Cub, and also to Adrian Addison for being our first PPL undertaking tail-wheel familiarisation to solo in G-MI.