Real Close UP | Piper J3 Cub | Interior Setup 

Took my first lesson in a J3 Cub back in 1978, never lost the love of that friendly little plane, it may not get you there in a big ole hurry but when you do get there, you'll have a big ole smile on your face. Comfy as the living room couch.........................with wings. Cheers

For us r/c flyers, your detailed description is first rate and very helpful. Thank you!

I grew up around my dads tailwheel airplanes, got my license in a Cherokee 140 in high school and hated flying that way. I became a dad at 22 and gave up flying until about 4 years ago when my Dad and I bought a J3 from a friend. I’ve been flying the pants off of it since then. I really enjoy the simplicity and rugged versatility of the J3. Even with 65 hp, it is a very capable airplane when you use it wisely. Wisdom comes from mistakes, and mine has been a great teacher. I’ve learned way more about mountain flying with a J3 in WV than I ever expected!

Building a Pietenpol. Thanks for posting. Greetings from Africa.

The last time I flew in a J-3 was 1974. I love this aircraft for its simplicity.

I flew a Cub a couple of times a few years ago and loved everything about it. It had a radio that didn't work and a compass that was about 45 degrees out and it smelled of old aeroplane. Utterly glorious.

I fly a J3C-65 built in 1946, one year after I was born. I truly like flying it but I like your version of the instrument panel. I can see it's been only slightly modified with the turn-slip indicator and the Hobbs. One thing somewhat difficult in a J3C is the amount of muscle needed in the back seat during taxi. I've heard that mentioned on other Cub videos on youtube. I got my PPL in 1991 but am only now getting around to tail wheel. I received my log book signoff about a month ago and have not been able to fly it since. A month ago (February) I got my certification, the Tennessee weather improved for a week but my wife had surgery. I still work every day and I'm the boss so I can't be fired but work does get in the way with my flying. I used to spend a lot of time sailing on one of the TVA lakes but the months I avoided were June, July and August. There was no wind. Now I'm waiting for those months so that I'll have a better time flying. I am a recreational pilot now and am not looking for challenges. Rough crosswinds, which I was luckly enough to practice with a CFI, are not recreational flying. I consider those conditions as "survival landing". click on my photo and you'll see what I've been doing for the last 50 years.

I flew once as a passenger in a Legend Cub. Windows open, along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean on a beautiful 75 degree day. Was the absolute best hour of flying I've ever had. I totally get the passion people have for these airplanes. I have a PPL, but have only ever flown nosewheel aircraft.

Great tour of the innards of a classic! Thanks so much for taking the time to make the video.

Learned to fly in 1976 in a 1940 J3. Moved up to nose rollers to finish off all the nav/radio work to get private. Bought a 1941 Aeronca 65TAC and rebuilt it for the most part. Kept it 5 years then took flying job. Did that gig for 18 years, moved to flying a mahogany desk for next 26 years. Had kids to raise until they grew up and left the nest. Hadn't flown anything for 26+ years. On a whim bought a 46 J3 65 around 8 years ago. Got BFR in C172. Waited a week before Cub got ferried to me. Jumped in and took to the skies. Just like I'd flown it yesterday after all that time. Done over 1,000 take off and landings in this Cub and fly as much as I can - when I can. It's a good hands off plane in smooth air. Done a LOT of work over the years on it. Just love to fly the Cub now. Low and slow is a hell-of-a-lot-more-fun than go fast glass cockpit nose rollers. Looks like your's gets the attention it needs and looks really nice inside. I had a bunch of spaghetti wires all over the place, then did some upgrades. Based in and fly a lot within Mode C veil so just decided to bite the bullet with all necessary stuff to be 2020 compliant even though never had electrical system. Have wind driven alternator that keeps everything charged. Fun and highly recognized aircraft. Best toy I've ever had!

Sweet! My son is sitting on my lap watching too and agrees. 👍 Probably the most thorough J3 interior "checkout" I've ever seen.

Wonderful! Only just getting into the world of private flying. I love the Piper Cub. This was a great tour of the actual workings of the aircraft. Thank you so much.

Very nice video. Love flying J3. Flying the way it was meant to be.

Hi Josh, love the videos, im doing my first Cub flight Tail dragging rating today. Very helpful, thanks Mate!

Hi this is the first time seeing your channel. I've always been interested in the cub and flying. I've never been up in a cub. Really enjoyed your tour

Awesome video Josh!

Hey Josh! Its Jared Cable! Nice videos, you've done a lot of work to the cub since you took me up!

The Bailing Wire and Bubble Gum are missing from your little tool bag . 😁😱 Thanks for the J3 videos !!

Great video bro!😁👍🏼

Great job 👍 looks like a good solid flyer. Liked 👍 and subscribed 👍 hello from the Kentucky mountains. Happy landing's 👍

Love the J3 Cub never had a chance to fly one hoping to soon

Hi Josh first time on . Yes I have flown in aj3. Your video. Is great I look forward to seeing you more thank you sir.

Thanks, thinking hard on buying a J3 soon.

Thanks

Awesome videos. All my friends have cubs and I am currently looking to purchase one myself. I have a private 1200' grass strip.

Hi Joshua. Great video. I just bought a 1946 J3 on floats. I have fallen in love. Light aircraft for me were a means to an end(Airline pilot) but this beauty changed all that. Now that I’m an aircraft owner, I wish instead of getting a degree in aviation, that part was fine, but instead of wasting my time on business classes, which for me I had no interest, but if they would offer say an A&P course, wow that would have been right up my alley. Anyway enough about me, great channel, brand new subscriber. Looking forward to looking more at your videos. Thanks. I think you asked what we might want to see, for me Mechanical stuff. What breaks, what doesn’t. What to look for etc. oh how about(maybe you have) an oil change video. Already know I need to learn to safety wire! Would love to go back to school, A and P!! Congratulations on earning that! Sorry about the long winded reply!! Take care.

Nice setup. Got some ideas for my J3. Own one since a few weeks, and so LOVE flying her! I have a question: Do you mount GoPros outside? And if so, where and how? I do usually a lot of filming during flights, but not so sure, where to put the cameras on the J3.

I just discovered your channel and love it! I fly a Piper L4 with no electric system with an Odyssey battery to power the starter. Currently using an Icom A25 for radio, with a portable Intercom similar to yours, but plan to install a TRIG TY91. Do you think I Can use the same battery for both the starter and the radio? Thanks.

Learned to fly a J3 in 1969 and always had a desire to get a PA-18 someday but alas prices for even a beat up example just became absurd. Even J3's are overpriced now. I get the nostalgia aspect and all but about ten years ago I picked up a 90hp 7EC Champ for half of what people were asking for J3's and despite being a born and bred "Cub guy" who had an ingrained bias against Champs the thing has really grown on me. So if you yearn for a Cub but balk at the price take a serious look at the Champ, especially the 90hp 7EC. Lots of bargains out there.

Thank you, really very interesting, is there a fuel gauge??

Do you like the full open plexiglass canopy? Or would you prefer stock middle strip canopy?

Got my tailwheel in a J3 and a Stearman. Soon to be a proud owner of a 46 J3. Do you use anything for ADS-B IN for traffic? Stratux? Stratus?

bit of advice if your working as a A and P make sure your own airplane looks good and this cubs seen better days no way i 'd want the same work done to something i dropped alot money on .. Dump time into it and mke it right !

What do you have for radios?

Is the canvas baggage compartment standard on a J3? I'm starting to think that's what I should've done on my Sonex...

how does cabin heat work?

Would a short person have trouble flying it I'm 5' tall?

I like the plane but too simple for me personally.

I realize the line of thinking here is keep as much original as possible, but it escapes me why any Cub owner, who regularly flies it, would settle for the use of those original seats. I want my fat ass in a firm, modern seat, with headrest in the rear seat and both more ergonomic and durable, and include some larger crash harnesses. Secondly, why not install say, a dash mounted Attitude Indicator? For a Tail Dragger, this would add such a larger degree of safety to know precisely where you are, particularly if youre caught suddenly in IMC with updrafts. So much crash and Vestibular Illusion avoidance with that single instrument. Lastly, was hoping since back in the day they didnt have any of this, a source where I can find any published specs on the Cub beyond its original POH, such as W&B, etc.? That "20lb" in Luggage Compartment is a gas! Like, how do they know what everyone weighs, lol?!! Personally I would remove that sign and put it in storage just in case some knucklehead trys to rely on it. Anyways, great professionally produced video! Please try to answer my question on addtl. specs too if you can, and Take Care!

Josh, if you have an email address that you are willing to give out... Other owners of J3- aircraft could send videos to be added, be fun.

Poor instructions on what you are discussing. Give detail you are an A&P so I would expect a better pre- flight with such a basic aircraft. Come dude do better.

I should be flying in a cub in a couple of weeks. what is the primary piece of advice you would give someone?