~5 gph
Cruise fuel burn
What a Piper Cub (J-3, PA-11, PA-18 Super Cub) costs to own in Canada
Light, slow and thrifty on fuel; tailwheel and fabric condition, not fuel, are the main cost drivers. Below is a realistic starting point for the running costs — then use the full ownership calculator to plug in your own hangar, insurance and flying hours.
~$42
Fuel $/hour
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Fuel
About 5 US gal/hour in cruise. At roughly $2.2/litre for 100LL that's ~$42 per flying hour before oil.
Maintenance & reserve
Routine maintenance plus an hourly engine-overhaul reserve so the eventual overhaul isn't a five-figure surprise. Set the reserve in the calculator.
Hangar & annual
Hangar or tie-down and the mandatory annual inspection are due whether you fly or not — the biggest fixed costs for most owners.
Insurance
Driven by the insured value and your experience in type. Complex, retractable and float aircraft cost more to insure than a simple trainer.
Estimates for planning only. Fuel figures are typical cruise numbers; real costs vary with the individual aircraft, engine, avionics, how it's flown and where it's based. Not financial advice.
Full cost calculatorAdd your hangar, insurance, fuel and hours for your true cost per hour.Piper Cub (J-3, PA-11, PA-18 Super Cub) fleet & pricesHow many are in Canada, where, and what they cost.Loan calculatorEstimate the monthly payment if you finance.
Common questions
How much does a Piper Cub (J-3, PA-11, PA-18 Super Cub) cost per hour to fly in Canada?
In fuel alone, a Piper Cub (J-3, PA-11, PA-18 Super Cub) burns roughly 5 US gallons an hour, which at about $2.2/litre for 100LL is around $42 per flying hour. Add oil, an engine-overhaul reserve and maintenance to get your true hourly cost — the calculator does the full math.
What are the fixed costs of owning a Piper Cub (J-3, PA-11, PA-18 Super Cub)?
The costs that come due whether you fly or not: hangar or tie-down, insurance, and the mandatory annual inspection. For a typical piston single in Canada these commonly land in the low-to-mid four figures each per year, more for complex, retractable, float or high-value aircraft.
Is a Piper Cub (J-3, PA-11, PA-18 Super Cub) expensive to maintain?
Light, slow and thrifty on fuel; tailwheel and fabric condition, not fuel, are the main cost drivers.