Pieper Super Cub

Pieper Super Cub. The Trademark Plane of the Alaskan Bush Pilot. , In Alaska, the remote areas of the state are knows as "The Bush" and the term "Bush Pilot" refers to the bold and adventuresome pilots who fly in and out of these remote locations. Even today, Bush Pilots - provide an important lifeline to Alaska; whether it's helping in an emergency, carrying supplies for hunters and adventurers, or delivering mail to villages. , The first Piper Cubs were built in the early 1930's. They became an instant hit with Alaska Bush Pilots because of their outstanding wing design and extreme light weight. With the introduction of the first Super Cub in the 1950's. Piper increased the engine size to a 150 HP engine, but the basic body of the plane remained much the same. Although they have been out of production since the 1980's there are still thousands of Super Cubs in Alaska and they remain the plane of choice for the most remote difficult landing strip. , On display here is the skeleton of a 1956 PA-18 Super Cub. The frame is made from extremely lightweight Chrome-Molly tubing and weighs only 175 pounds. The skin of the aircraft, seen on the door, is a thin sheet of fabric with a special coating. The average weight for a fully equipped Super Cub is 1100 pounds. It can be equipped with skis in the winter, pontoons in the summer, or "Tundra Tires" which allow it to land on very rough terrain. , With all the advances in the aviation industry over the years, nothing has replaced the Piper Super Cub. It still remains a favorite and the trademark plane of Alaska.