I’m using this video as inspiration to buy a plane once I am done with my lessons/ratings. My wife is going to be so pissed when I send her a selfie with a plane I purchased! Thanks for giving us an idea of the costs behind owning a cub. Huge fan of these planes and I love watching your flight videos early in the morning while drinking some coffee!
I quit thinking about how much I've spent on my Champ. Its been in my family since 1961. I live in Indiana and fly out of a private strip. My costs are a little less than some of yours but I think its a regional thing. Hangar rent in some areas is crazy compared to where I choose to live. Bottom line is we want these airplanes and we will pay for them.
I've owned a 1946 J3-65 now for over 14 years. It truly is a blast to fly. Operating costs are well below that of the 150's and similar. The Cub is just about as iconic as you'll find. Go to a number of fly-in's, big and small town airports. It is an eye-catcher on the static display ramp. It is extremely fun to fly and you are not going to go anywhere fast in it. Just a 10 MPH headwind puts you 60 MPH +/- a little. Because of that you do need to properly flight plan fuel if you do want to go more than 100 miles away. Early on I had some issues with it (but I bought it right). Since, I've done lower end rebuild, then a few years later, just got tired of the worn out cylinders and went with Millenium cylinders and doesn't burn anything but maybe 1/2 qt in 25 hours. When I got it, it was based in the N.E. and after 9/11 the owner had no option but to put a wind driven alternator and transponder. I am based w/in a Mode C vail so, as the mandate for ADSB came around, I put ADSB in (even though I was aware I could be exempt), but it makes it nice not to have to call anybody and can operate anywhere I want. Use a tablet for ADSB-IN and couple that with my Navigation EFB. Total added weight was < 10 lbs. What amazes me is the engineering of simplicity on a nearly 80 year old airplane that has never failed to start each and every time. Highly recommend one.
love my J3. Only fly 10hrs yearly now . Be 74 next month. I have owned for 26 years now. Keep it hangered, annual, insured, maintained yearly, Used to fly more but trying not to let the old man in! Just happened to know all the right people to keep it going safely and legal. Hanger 400.monthly insurance 600. yearly, maintenance varies. annual almost nothing (me my friend A&P +AI work together). 1945 piper j3 c65. late 1970"s restoration always kept in closed hanger. bought for recreationally use only. Gary
Viewed with interest. I own an L-4 here in Norway. Surprised to hear that prices are fairly similar to here, I would expect things to be cheaper stateside since aviation is so much more common over there. Fuel here is crazy: 12 USD/gallon. However, hangar rental is less (I rent out a spot for 300/month, which is on the high side here). Other expenses are fairly similar. But what the hell, it's a Cub and it's legendary. Love your videos man, wish you could do one where you talk about filming, operation with drone/aircraft etc. Thanks and hope you have a great 2023 season, bro!
Thanks for the video Joe! Been following you on instagram for a while now, love the content. After finishing A&P school, I plan on buying a cub myself so the video was very insightful.
Pretty accurate assessment of costs, I would take a fabric class, I think you would enjoy the process when it comes time to recover the wings and fuselage
In 1963 four of us put in $250 apiece to buy a $1000. 1946, wood spar, J3 with an A75 and metal climb prop. It had fresh fabric and a recent top overhaul. We kept it at Moorestown tied down for about $20/month. We flew it for $3/hr. Sigh ! It behaved like a STOL but only cruised about 70 mph. I spent the next 25 years at Eastern mostly in DC 9s. I used to fly a 170A into Aeroflex Andover at night to visit a girl friend. Young and confident in the Continental C145. Never had an engine failure in 30 years of flying including 2 1/2 years behind P&W R2800s on a Convair 440. In the '60's there was a mechanic at Burlington Co/SJR named Louis Costanza.
In 1966 I was in the Navy and a group of us pilots formed a club and bought a Cub for $4,000 and a C-140 for $6,000. We charged members $4.00 and $6.00 per hour wet.
Joe, great video. I am 77 yrs old, I made my solo flight in a Champ in 1963 at the age of 16. I have flown a super cub and a tri pacer, the cub and the champ are great planes to fly. I am seriously thinking about buying a tail dragger. Most of my hours are in floats. Any advice for an older sky pilot?
Just a selfie huh? Risking it for the biscuit. 🤣 Glad it worked out in the end. Not sure I'd be so lucky but maybe I'll give it a shot. Guess I'll get to practicing my selfie skills.
Hey Joe, love work work been following for awhile…..I have a question though as you’re an airline pilot and cub owner…..I’m a PPL holder as well as instrument rated and planning on commercial next…..I work for the airlines as an A&P and make a good wage but airlines are expensive as we know, I have been looking into Aeronca and Cub style aircraft mainly for the price tag…..if I ever wanted to fly for an airline how would a company view my 1500 hours assuming maybe a good chunk, but not all of it was in something like a tail wheel and simple VFR flying…..thanks
An annual with nothing major? After 40 years of cub ownership I'm still waiting for that nothing major annual. Would I give up my plane? Only when I get too old, which is fast approaching.
you say $8 gallon is expensive and here I am wishing I had fuel that cheap... where I am in canada I have to buy it a drum at a time, and the price to buy it local 2 weeks ago was $875 which is $15.90 a gallon! getting to the point I wish I did have a 65HP J3 instead of a 150HP PA12 haha
You can. You'll have a ton of "stick and rudder" skills, but probably really lacking in navigation and communication. You probably aren't picking up Flight Following often and doing long XC's.
50k budget. Divorced. Cash in hand lol. My worry is insurance. 52. Have 65 hours, but never finished my license. No current medical. So, going light sport, sport license. Mainly, just want to fly around 50 mile radius. Hoping this is going to be doable.
@@Bananasssssssss Actually, the insurance wasn't bad at all! I actually had time in J3 already logged. So, I can pick back up there. I was thinking like thousands. More like maybe 2k or less pending plane, equipment, ME, were kept, on an on an on. Just found out Cub Crafter has a UL version of carbon cub coming in 2025! Most likely will be stupid pricing. But, INTERESTING that they will have a light sport specific with the new 916 Rotax! Pretty cool. Will be watching.
The “you’re an airplane owner so it doesn’t matter” is the dumbest statement ever. We are only watching the video because the prices DO matter and people are trying to figure out what they can afford. If it’s too high then a guy might just not buy one. But they won’t know what the cost is unless someone tells them.
Thanks man! I really appreciate this video. A lot of great info for someone like myself who is trying to navigate the weeds entering aviation! Keep it up! 🫡🇺🇸
I’m using this video as inspiration to buy a plane once I am done with my lessons/ratings. My wife is going to be so pissed when I send her a selfie with a plane I purchased! Thanks for giving us an idea of the costs behind owning a cub. Huge fan of these planes and I love watching your flight videos early in the morning while drinking some coffee!
Appreciate it! And she’ll only be mad for a little 😂
I quit thinking about how much I've spent on my Champ. Its been in my family since 1961. I live in Indiana and fly out of a private strip. My costs are a little less than some of yours but I think its a regional thing. Hangar rent in some areas is crazy compared to where I choose to live. Bottom line is we want these airplanes and we will pay for them.
Gramps bought our 15AC in 67. I love it
😮Always loved the Cub ,that yellow is beautiful
I've owned a 1946 J3-65 now for over 14 years. It truly is a blast to fly. Operating costs are well below that of the 150's and similar. The Cub is just about as iconic as you'll find. Go to a number of fly-in's, big and small town airports. It is an eye-catcher on the static display ramp. It is extremely fun to fly and you are not going to go anywhere fast in it. Just a 10 MPH headwind puts you 60 MPH +/- a little. Because of that you do need to properly flight plan fuel if you do want to go more than 100 miles away. Early on I had some issues with it (but I bought it right). Since, I've done lower end rebuild, then a few years later, just got tired of the worn out cylinders and went with Millenium cylinders and doesn't burn anything but maybe 1/2 qt in 25 hours. When I got it, it was based in the N.E. and after 9/11 the owner had no option but to put a wind driven alternator and transponder. I am based w/in a Mode C vail so, as the mandate for ADSB came around, I put ADSB in (even though I was aware I could be exempt), but it makes it nice not to have to call anybody and can operate anywhere I want. Use a tablet for ADSB-IN and couple that with my Navigation EFB. Total added weight was < 10 lbs. What amazes me is the engineering of simplicity on a nearly 80 year old airplane that has never failed to start each and every time. Highly recommend one.
love my J3. Only fly 10hrs yearly now . Be 74 next month. I have owned for 26 years now. Keep it hangered, annual, insured, maintained yearly, Used to fly more but trying not to let the old man in! Just happened to know all the right people to keep it going safely and legal. Hanger 400.monthly insurance 600. yearly, maintenance varies. annual almost nothing (me my friend A&P +AI work together). 1945 piper j3 c65. late 1970"s restoration always kept in closed hanger. bought for recreationally use only. Gary
Roughly the same costs as my Champ. All good and accurate points about ownership. Thanks for sharing.
Viewed with interest. I own an L-4 here in Norway. Surprised to hear that prices are fairly similar to here, I would expect things to be cheaper stateside since aviation is so much more common over there. Fuel here is crazy: 12 USD/gallon. However, hangar rental is less (I rent out a spot for 300/month, which is on the high side here). Other expenses are fairly similar. But what the hell, it's a Cub and it's legendary. Love your videos man, wish you could do one where you talk about filming, operation with drone/aircraft etc. Thanks and hope you have a great 2023 season, bro!
Hangars are all over the place here, just depends on area, the other thing is most airprts have years long waiting lists for hangars
I really appreciate this video, cub ownership is something I’m really striving towards so this breakdown is very helpful. Thanks!
Same
Glad to help!
Thanks for the video Joe! Been following you on instagram for a while now, love the content. After finishing A&P school, I plan on buying a cub myself so the video was very insightful.
Thanks! Appreciate that!
Thank you for this. I’m thinking of adding a Cub as a second airplane. This is really helpful.
My pleasure!
Great video my brother! 😁🤙🏼 I have found out that a Cub is about the cheapest certified aircraft that you could own. 😁
Yessir! Lol the first time in my life that I didn’t want the most expensive version etc 😂
@@Bananasssssssss Exactly. 🤣🤙🏼
Pretty accurate assessment of costs, I would take a fabric class, I think you would enjoy the process when it comes time to recover the wings and fuselage
More long form content, this is great stuff!
Thanks! Definitely working on it! Hand propping Video for next week!
In 1963 four of us put in $250 apiece to buy a $1000. 1946, wood spar, J3 with an A75 and metal climb prop. It had fresh fabric and a recent top overhaul. We kept it at Moorestown tied down for about $20/month. We flew it for $3/hr. Sigh !
It behaved like a STOL but only cruised about 70 mph. I spent the next 25 years at Eastern mostly in DC 9s.
I used to fly a 170A into Aeroflex Andover at night to visit a girl friend. Young and confident in the Continental C145. Never had an engine failure in 30 years of flying including 2 1/2 years behind P&W R2800s on a Convair 440.
In the '60's there was a mechanic at Burlington Co/SJR named Louis Costanza.
$8/gallon!!!!!
Awesome video Joe. I’m looking forward to seeing more.
Thanks!
Great video. Please do more. I'm all in for this long form content. Followed you here from your Insta.
Great video and summary of cost. One thing I learned...I think I'm way overpaying on insurance! But gas here is half (FL)!!!
Excellent video! Wish I had this before I bought the first plane. Selfie…solid move!!! Beautiful family, can’t wait for the next vid 🇺🇸🤣
Thanks for the breakdown. Always love watching your content especially when you fly to Andover!
Great Video Joe. Miss ya'll back home at the W
Thanks Reece!
Love your content. Very much enjoyed this longer video.
Thanks! Going to try and do one longer video a week and throw up the Shorts in between 👍🏼
In 1966 I was in the Navy and a group of us pilots formed a club and bought a Cub for $4,000 and a C-140 for $6,000. We charged members $4.00 and $6.00 per hour wet.
That's insane. It costs just under $200.00 an hour wet here in Colorado for a sun baked 6-pack 172L.
@@Skidmark_aviationRMFS has 172’s for 120 wet
Joe, great video. I am 77 yrs old, I made my solo flight in a Champ in 1963 at the age of 16. I have flown a super cub and a tri pacer, the cub and the champ are great planes to fly. I am seriously thinking about buying a tail dragger. Most of my hours are in floats. Any advice for an older sky pilot?
Looking forward to the RUclips vids!
Thank you for this informative video! I love cubs so this was very interesting for me
Great info Joe. I was just thinking about buying one. Keep the videos coming. 👍🏼
Thanks for the objective info on cost. No thanks for the counseling on borrowing money. This is a sickness in society.
Well, I didn’t say one had to borrow, just an option is all….
Great common sense points---nicely done!
Thanks! Really appreciate the Feedback !
Love it! Keep the Cub videos coming!
Just a selfie huh? Risking it for the biscuit. 🤣 Glad it worked out in the end. Not sure I'd be so lucky but maybe I'll give it a shot. Guess I'll get to practicing my selfie skills.
Great video, thanks.
Thank you! Appreciate the feedback.
Great video, nice work!
Thank you!
Hey Joe, love work work been following for awhile…..I have a question though as you’re an airline pilot and cub owner…..I’m a PPL holder as well as instrument rated and planning on commercial next…..I work for the airlines as an A&P and make a good wage but airlines are expensive as we know, I have been looking into Aeronca and Cub style aircraft mainly for the price tag…..if I ever wanted to fly for an airline how would a company view my 1500 hours assuming maybe a good chunk, but not all of it was in something like a tail wheel and simple VFR flying…..thanks
Great job!!!
Great info 🤙🏻
Yes.
When I was a kid there were two types of planes; a Cub and the Songbird.
80G for a 30G airplane…. Do you care? Not really!” 😂. Love it. Details for your wife to worry about😂😂
Thanks for the great info! Don't tell the wife. Ask for forgiveness. Got it! 👍
An annual with nothing major? After 40 years of cub ownership I'm still waiting for that nothing major annual. Would I give up my plane? Only when I get too old, which is fast approaching.
Sorry if I missed it, but how many hrs per month of flying are you doing?
Probably 15-20hrs
you say $8 gallon is expensive and here I am wishing I had fuel that cheap... where I am in canada I have to buy it a drum at a time, and the price to buy it local 2 weeks ago was $875 which is $15.90 a gallon! getting to the point I wish I did have a 65HP J3 instead of a 150HP PA12 haha
Seeing a few clip wing cubs on the market right now - thoughts on those?
Awesome awesome planes from everyone who has flown them. A lotta fun.
Show 👏👏👏👏👏👏
$1200 for our 15AC Aeronca annual. Totally worth it.
I heard cross keys? NJ? I’m in DE and got my PPL at ILG.
Yup!
@@Bananasssssssss maybe if my plane works out we can catch up and fly.
@@thebigbilltheory4388 absolutely
Hey Joe and everyone here, total noob question, can you accumulate your 1500 hours in a cub? Is that not welcomed?
hey! you sure can....
You can. You'll have a ton of "stick and rudder" skills, but probably really lacking in navigation and communication. You probably aren't picking up Flight Following often and doing long XC's.
Es una picada imprevista?
My wife got rid of me now I own a Carbon Cub. Best thing she ever did to me., I sure love flying my Carbon Cub SS
hahah
Gotta know the numbers, to "not" want to know the numbers.... :)
50k budget. Divorced. Cash in hand lol. My worry is insurance. 52. Have 65 hours, but never finished my license. No current medical. So, going light sport, sport license. Mainly, just want to fly around 50 mile radius. Hoping this is going to be doable.
Could always self insure
@@Bananasssssssss Actually, the insurance wasn't bad at all! I actually had time in J3 already logged. So, I can pick back up there. I was thinking like thousands. More like maybe 2k or less pending plane, equipment, ME, were kept, on an on an on.
Just found out Cub Crafter has a UL version of carbon cub coming in 2025! Most likely will be stupid pricing. But, INTERESTING that they will have a light sport specific with the new 916 Rotax! Pretty cool. Will be watching.
❤
Cub ownership starts with paying twice what a simple tube&fabric airplane should cost.
Dude ...have you taught her the magic...? Flying isn't. Everything.. it's the only THING... .. ...!
600 a month for insurance?????? Deal breaker. Hate Insurance companies.
This is my dream acft. Too bad I cant afford one with my A/P mechanics savings; less with my 100% V.A. disability pay check.
So the bank owns ur plane 😂
Nah but it’s an option for some people
Are cubs here a kdyl is 1945 and 1943 and everything is about the same as u said
The “you’re an airplane owner so it doesn’t matter” is the dumbest statement ever. We are only watching the video because the prices DO matter and people are trying to figure out what they can afford. If it’s too high then a guy might just not buy one. But they won’t know what the cost is unless someone tells them.
I layed out the costs
Thanks man! I really appreciate this video. A lot of great info for someone like myself who is trying to navigate the weeds entering aviation! Keep it up!
🫡🇺🇸