Piper J-3 Cub question

ktsai91 said:
Does the ORIGINAL Piper J-3 Cub have a built-in radio? What about a transponder?
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Nope, no electrical system at all on the stock ones.

Unfortunately, many of the ones flying around today have radios, transponders, starters and all that other stuff that you don't need.
 
tlewis95 said:
Nope, no electrical system at all on the stock ones.

Unfortunately, many of the ones flying around today have radios, transponders, starters and all that other stuff that you don't need.
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For my introductory flight, I flew in a cub and there were no electronics, just an intercom thing the guy brought that was run by batteries. It made the skyhawk feel like such a technologically advanced airplane.
 
So does that mean the original piper cub is limited to uncontrolled airspace? What about if I have a hand-held radio? Could I enter controlled airspace?
 
ktsai91 said:
So does that mean the original piper cub is limited to uncontrolled airspace? What about if I have a hand-held radio? Could I enter controlled airspace?
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Well controlled airspace that you don't need two way radio comms (E) you can go all over, but to fly at D,C, or B airports, you would of course need to required equipment.

With a hand-held radio you could operate from a class D airport (no transponder required)
 
There is no better flying a cool fall evening spent in a cub sans radio and the door open.

Totally legal, totally safe, and totally cool.
 
The cub I rent from Medina has no electrics. Hand prop and off you go. There is a hand held radio in it though. Amazing plane to fly with the door off and skim boaters.
 
Jack Brown's in Winterhaven had no Electrical to speak of. A batter powered intercom system was the closest they had to 'electrical'.
 
The one I rent here (Brazilian made Taylor J-2 cub), no electrical system and hand prop, we use a transceiver has radio when needed.
 
tlewis95 said:
ktsai91 said:
So does that mean the original piper cub is limited to uncontrolled airspace? What about if I have a hand-held radio? Could I enter controlled airspace?
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With a hand-held radio you could operate from a class D airport (no transponder required)
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Did just that for a month or so prior to rebuilding my Citabria.

Radio died and we didn't want to spend the money to have it fixed as we had already ordered the new GPS/COM.

Worked just fine... remember... always have either spare batteries or a spare battery pack. Never know when they might come in handy. ;)
 
If you want to fly in airspace that requires a transponder and radio it can be done in the cub. You would not want to make it a daily event but if you had to you can contact the controlling agency and give them the details of your flight. They will likely ask or tell you your route of flight and you will tell them when you plan to enter the airspace. They will track you on radar and be aware of your intentions.

If you want to make things even easier, if you have a hand held radio you can simply call the controlling agency and tell them you are negative transponder and so long as you have two way comm it will not be an issue.

I have done both on a few occasions.
 
By hand propping, what do you guys mean? Do you start the engine by manually turning the propeller with your hand?
 
Yes but dont do it unless you are trained by someone who knows what they are doing. They key is during the pull to get your momentum going away from the prop in case you slip so that you dont fall into the prop. My way of doing it is I use three fingers on the prop. Dont wrap your fingers around it! I stand so that only my right side is exposed to the prop. Then as I start to pull the prop I take a big step with my left foot away from the plane so that I'm out of harms way if the plane starts.
 
But doesn't the cub have a starter that you don't need to start it with your hand? Why would I need to hand prop the cub in order to start it?
 
All of you guys commenting on how great it is to have no electronic systems just lost the right to complain about jagoffs cutting you off in the pattern with no calls :)
 
USMC-SSGT said:
If you want to fly in airspace that requires a transponder and radio it can be done in the cub. You would not want to make it a daily event but if you had to you can contact the controlling agency and give them the details of your flight. They will likely ask or tell you your route of flight and you will tell them when you plan to enter the airspace. They will track you on radar and be aware of your intentions.

If you want to make things even easier, if you have a hand held radio you can simply call the controlling agency and tell them you are negative transponder and so long as you have two way comm it will not be an issue.

I have done both on a few occasions.
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This is correct.

When I was running the TPE -1's and -10, there was a repair facility at the local Class C. I went in and out several times with no radio or transponder. Also did it in a Taylorcraft with nothing.
 
ktsai91 said:
But doesn't the cub have a starter that you don't need to start it with your hand? Why would I need to hand prop the cub in order to start it?
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Most J-3's will have no starter or electrical system of any kind. Thus, the need to hand prop it.

I do know of one old Taylorcraft (same type aircraft) that the guy starts with a Black & Decker portable hand drill. :)
 
<HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d1d1e1; COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1>All of you guys commenting on how great it is to have no electronic systems just lost the right to complain about jagoffs cutting you off in the pattern with no calls :)
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Hey now I carry a hand held when flying the cub lol
 
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