Piper J-3 Cub Aircraft (J-3)
The Piper J-3 Cub is the iconic 1930s-40s yellow taildragger that taught more pilots than any other aircraft of its era. A simple, two-seat tube-and-fabric trainer (rear-pilot seat, in the back), it cruises around 75 knots on a small Continental A-65 engine and is one of the most beloved aircraft in aviation history. The J-3 is a flying classic: limited capability by modern standards, but the experience of flying a Cub from the back seat with the door open is unmatched.
40 used Piper J-3 Cub aircraft for sale · 2-seat · Used median asking $60,000 · Project from $7,500 · updated 7 hours ago
Piper J-3 Cub Specifications
Model specThe Piper J-3 Cub is a 2-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 65 kt (120 km/h), a range of 191 nm (354 km), and a useful load of 455 lbs (206 kg).
Piper J-3 Cub for Sale
Browse all listings →Piper J-3 Cub asking prices range from $29,489 to $99,232, with a median of $60,000 (market reference $65,000).
Compare Piper J-3 Cub
See how the Piper J-3 Cub stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
Piper J-3 Cub Price & Cost
How much does a Piper J-3 Cub cost? Used J-3 Cub prices: $29K – $99K, average $60K (median $60K); market reference $65K, across 24 priced of 40 active listings.
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Buying a Used Piper J-3 Cub
Buying a Piper J-3 Cub comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:
What to check before buying
Frequently Asked Questions — Piper J-3 Cub
How much does a Piper J-3 Cub cost?
What is the difference between the J-3 Cub and the Super Cub?
Is the J-3 Cub a good first taildragger?
Piper J-3 Cub Inventory by Country
| United States | 17 |
| United Kingdom | 3 |
| Germany | 2 |
| Canada | 2 |
| South Africa | 1 |
| Ireland | 1 |
Piper J-3 Cub Inventory by State
| Arizona | 2 |
| California | 2 |
| Florida | 2 |
| Texas | 2 |
Piper J-3 Cub by Price
| Under $100k | 15 |
| Under $200k | 22 |
| Under $300k | 23 |
| Under $500k | 23 |
Recently Sold Piper J-3 Cub
| 1947 J-3 Cub | $90,000 |
| 1946 J-3 Cub | $78,811 |
| 1943 J-3 Cub | $87,210 |
Piper J-3 Cub Safety Record
Across all J-3 Cub variants, 3 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1984–1990. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
3
Total Events
3
Incidents
0
Serious
0
Fatal
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 29, 1990 | CLAY BANKS, WI | Incident | PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING THE DESCENT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE THE PILOT'S POOR WEA… |
| Jun 22, 1984 | HOMESTEAD, FL | Incident | — |
| Jan 14, 1984 | LOMPOC, CA | Incident | — |
NTSB records 1984–1990. Includes all Piper J-3 Cub variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.