Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser Aircraft (J-5)
The Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser is a late-1930s three-seat enlargement of the J-3, built from 1940, with a wider fuselage and a rear bench seating two behind the pilot. More powerful and roomier than the J-3, it was the forerunner of the postwar PA-12 Super Cruiser and served in WWII as the AE-1 air ambulance. It is a desirable tandem-style Cub-family classic today.
1 used Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser aircraft for sale · 3-seat · Reference price ~$55,000 ($30,000–$95,000) · updated 2026-07-12
Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser Specifications
Model specThe Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser is a 3-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 75 kt (139 km/h), a range of 300 nm (556 km), and a useful load of 650 lbs (295 kg).
Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser for Sale
Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser asking prices range from $84,500 to $84,500, with a median of $84,500 (market reference $55,000).
Compare Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser
Detailed comparisons for the Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser are being prepared.
Browse all Piper models →Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser Price & Cost
How much does a Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser cost? Used J-5 Cub Cruiser prices: from $84K; market reference $55K, across 1 priced of 1 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-5 Cub Cruiser
When buying a Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser, the biggest value drivers are engine time since overhaul, maintenance-record completeness, damage history and avionics.
What to check before buying
- Engine time to overhaul — hours and years remaining drive price more than total airframe time.
- Logbook completeness — continuous, gap-free maintenance records protect value.
- Damage history — any prior accident or incident; cross-check the registration against accident databases.
- Avionics — a modern glass panel vs legacy steam gauges materially changes price.
- Pre-buy inspection — always commission an independent inspection by a type-experienced mechanic before money changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions — Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser
How much does a used Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser cost?
How is the J-5 different from the J-3 Cub?
Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser Inventory by Country
| Belgium | 1 |
| United States | 1 |
Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser Inventory by State
| Arizona | 2 |
| California | 2 |
| Florida | 2 |
| Texas | 2 |
Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser by Price
| Under $100k | 15 |
| Under $200k | 22 |
| Under $300k | 23 |
| Under $500k | 23 |
Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser Safety Record
No NTSB events on record for the Piper J-5 Cub Cruiser. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database