1946 Piper J-3 Cub
Single Engine Piston
Aircraft Details
Seller reportedDescription
Piper J-3 Cub, registration ZS-AYC.
Serial number: 17653 and built in 1946 and 1st registered in South Africa in 1971.
We are proud to offer to the market a Timeless Classic Piper J-3 Cub.
Piper Cubs have been desirable since they were introduced in 1938 to the civilian market.
Piper sold 19,073 J-3s between 1938 and 1947. The aircraft is a high-wing, strut-braced monoplane with a large-area rectangular wing. It is most often powered by an air-cooled, flat-4 piston engine driving a fixed-pitch propeller. Its fuselage is a welded steel frame covered in fabric, seating two people in tandem.
The Cub was designed as a trainer and it had great popularity in this role and as a general aviation aircraft.
ZS-AYC has a very good and comprehensive history with detailed logbooks and maintenance records. It has been very well looked after by its owners and always kept in a hangar. Hangared at the picturesque, Stellenbosch Airfield, Cape Province, South Africa. Viewing by appointment. Shipping to anywhere can be arranged.
Price: $49,950 USD.
Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.
Price Comparison Listed on multiple marketplaces
| Source | Price | Location | Listed | Days on Market | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Allan Contact
winglist.aero
|
$49,950
|
Stellenbosch, South Africa | May 03, 2026 | 75 days | Active | |
|
Historic & Classic Aircraft Sales
planecheck.com
|
$49,950
|
South Africa | Jun 16, 2026 | 31 days | Active |
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Piper J-3 Cub loan calculator
AeroGurus Data & Analysis
Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis
About This Piper J-3 Cub
This 1946 Piper J-3 Cub (ZS-AYC) is a 2-seat single engine piston with 4,408 hours on the airframe. There are currently 30 J-3 Cub aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $29,723 to $99,762. This aircraft is priced below the market average at $49,950.
The J-3 Cub cruises at 65 kts (120 km/h) with a range of 191 nm (354 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 11,500 ft allows operation above most weather.
Operating costs: Fuel burn is 4 GPH (15 L/h), which at current 100LL avgas prices (~$6.20/gal) means approximately $25/hr in fuel alone.
NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record.
Pre-Purchase Checklist
Piper J-3 Cub — Model Specs
Model specificationStandard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
AeroGurus estimatePIPER J-3 Cub
AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the PIPER J-3 Cub. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.
Ownership & Registration
FAA registry covers US-registered aircraft (N-numbers).
This aircraft (ZS-AYC) is registered outside the US.
Location & Ownership
Aircraft Location
South Africa
ZA
Seller reportedTitle Status
No FAA title records
Available for US-registered aircraft only
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, FAA Civil Aviation Registry (DocIndex). Title data may be delayed. Always verify with an aviation attorney before purchase.
Safety Record
NTSB safety data coming soon.
We'll check ZS-AYC against the NTSB accident database.
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