General Aviation

Piper Aircraft J3c-65

Manufacturer: Piper Aircraft

The Piper J3C-65 is the Continental A-65-powered version of the two-seat J-3 Cub. The simple high-wing, tandem-seat taildragger became one of the best-known American training and personal aircraft.

Aircraft Facts

Type Key
piper-aircraft-j3c-65
Class
General Aviation
Registry Count
3,190
Example Registration
N100

Specifications

Wingspan
10.74 m / 35 ft
Length
6.83 m / 22 ft
Height
2.03 m / 6 ft
Max Speed
140 km/h / 87 mph
Cruise Speed
121 km/h / 75 mph
Range
354 km / 191 nmi
Ceiling
3500 m / 11500 ft
Production Start
1939

Aircraft Overview

History

The J-3 family entered production in 1938. The J3C-65 received approval on July 6, 1939 and became a central civil Cub version before and during World War II.

Design

The J3C-65 uses a welded steel-tube, fabric-covered fuselage, a strut-braced rectangular wing, fixed conventional landing gear, and a 65 hp Continental A-65 flat-four engine driving a fixed-pitch propeller.

Variants

The J3C-65 is distinguished by its Continental engine. Other Cub designations used Franklin or Lycoming engines, while military liaison developments were designated L-4.

Operations

J3C-65 Cubs served as trainers, private aircraft, and the basis for military liaison aircraft. Their low-speed handling and short-field capability also made surviving Cubs popular for bush flying.

Notable Facts

  • The J3C-65 was approved on July 6, 1939.
  • It used a 65 hp Continental A-65 engine.
  • The Cub seats two people in tandem.
  • Its fuselage is a fabric-covered welded steel frame.
  • Military Cub developments were designated L-4.

Variants

  • J3C-65- 3,190 registrations - Example N100

Machine-Readable Resources

Sources