Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser Model Guide
Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser · Model Guide
Overview
The Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser is a three-place, single-engine piston aircraft. The library lists it as built 1946-1948. An owner article says production began in 1946, with nearly 3,800 built. A typical example has a 100-hp Lycoming O-235, cruises at 105 mph, carries 38 gallons and has a 600-mile range at 6 gph.
- Three-place piston single: 100-hp O-235, 105 mph cruise, 38 gal fuel, about 600 miles range at 6 gph (owner article figures).
- Weighs about 900 lb empty with an 850 lb useful load, so check the real weight and balance of the specific airplane.
- Open service items: magneto impulse coupling inspection and a possible brake master cylinder diaphragm defect.
- A Canadian investigation (TSB) of a fatal stall just after takeoff is worth reading before you fly a demo flight.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Reference only, not for flight. Use the current approved manual for your aircraft. See terms, section 5.
Document
Source
Copy found at sprinkle.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type ·
- Model Guide
- Year ·
- 2026
- File size ·
- 48 KB
- Copy found at ·
- sprinkle.com
Specifications & performance
Extracted from this document.
Specifications
- Engine power (hp) ·
- 100
- Useful load (lb) ·
- 850
- Empty weight (lb) ·
- 900
- Fuel capacity (gal) ·
- 38
Performance
- Fuel burn (gph) ·
- 6
Weight & balance
- Useful load (lb) ·
- 850
- Empty weight (lb) ·
- 900
How many people does the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser carry?
The Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser is a three-place aircraft. It has a useful load of about 850 lb (owner article figure), and fuel, occupants and baggage all come out of that.
How fast and how far does the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser fly?
One article reports a 105 mph cruise and a 600-mile range on 38 gallons at 6 gph with a 100-hp O-235. Family registry data shows up to 90 kt and 310 nm, so expect variation between airplanes.
What service items should a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser buyer check?
For a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, confirm compliance with the Bendix impulse coupling inspection (VSP-62) and check the Scott master brake cylinder diaphragm date. Also check the logs, wing rigging and magneto starting setup.
What is the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser Model Guide?
The Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser Model Guide is a model guide for the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, dated 2026.
What year was the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser Model Guide published?
The Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser Model Guide — the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser model guide on file — is dated 2026.
Common. More common than 97% of the aircraft models we track.
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins on file
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser for sale now
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More Piper PA-12 Super Cruisermanuals & documents
- Ethics of misdiagnosisOther Documents
- PS-POH-1-1-01Checklist
- Avidyne Traffic Advisory System Approved Model ListOther Documents
- A Handsome 1947 Piper Super CruiserOther Documents
- PIPER PA-12/14/15/16/17 with Lycoming O235 EngineSystems Description
- Aviation Occurrence Report: Stall During Initial ClimbOther Documents
- Scott Service Bulletin No. 1248H-32-53Service Bulletins
- VENDOR SERVICE PUBLICATION NO. 62Service Bulletins
- Correct Procedures for Rigging a SuperCubMaintenance Manual
- Tech Sheet: Piper PA-12: Super Cruiser, J5 CubSpecifications
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In this document
What you are buying
The PA-12 grew out of the 1942 J-5C Cub Cruiser. Changes included a fuel tank in each wing, metal spars, a new interior and a streamlined look. Wingspan is 35 feet 6 inches and length is 23 feet 1 inch. Registry data for the PA-12/PA-12S family shows up to 90 kt cruise, 310 nm range and 12,300 ft ceiling. Those are family maxima, not figures for every airplane.
Pre-buy and maintenance checks
Ask for complete logs. One restored 1947 example had engine and airframe records back to the factory build sheet. Ask how the wings were rigged, since Piper Service Memo No. 19 covers dihedral and washout. Confirm the magnetos and brake master cylinders against the service items in the safety notes.
Starting and engine notes
In one 1947 owner's O-235-C1 airplane, only the left magneto had an impulse coupling. The mechanic said to start on Left, and the owner had always started on Both. Starting got harder after that change. A rough-starting engine can also have an overly lean idle mixture, so diagnose before replacing parts. One shop bill for a magneto and primer came to almost $1,900.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Safety notes
- Piper VSP-62 (Lycoming SB 464A) covers PA-12 serials 12-02 through 12-4036: Bendix impulse coupling flyweights may be soft, risking total engine power loss.
- Scott Service Bulletin 1248H-32-53 lists the PA-12: master brake cylinder diaphragms dated 3Q86 through 2Q89 may rupture, causing loss of braking.
- TSB report A94W0078: a PA-12 stalled on departure at about 150 feet during a purchaser demo flight; both occupants died and the cause was not determined.
Summary written by AI from the source document. Check the original before relying on it. See which parts of Sprinkle are written by AI.
Full document text
Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser Model Guide The Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser is a three-place, single-engine piston aircraft. The library lists it as built 1946-1948. An owner article says production began in 1946, with nearly 3,800 built. A typical example has a 100-hp Lycoming O-235, cruises at 105 mph, carries 38 gallons and has a 600-mile range at 6 gph. • Three-place piston single: 100-hp O-235, 105 mph cruise, 38 gal fuel, about 600 miles range at 6 gph (owner article figures). • Weighs about 900 lb empty with an 850 lb useful load, so check the real weight and balance of the specific airplane. • Open service items: magneto impulse coupling inspection and a possible brake master cylinder diaphragm defect. • A Canadian investigation (TSB) of a fatal stall just after takeoff is worth reading before you fly a demo flight. What you are buying The PA-12 grew out of the 1942 J-5C Cub Cruiser. Changes included a fuel tank in each wing, metal spars, a new interior and a streamlined look. Wingspan is 35 feet 6 inches and length is 23 feet 1 inch. Registry data for the PA-12/PA-12S family shows up to 90 kt cruise, 310 nm range and 12,300 ft ceiling. Those are family maxima, not figures for every airplane. Pre-buy and maintenance checks Ask for complete logs. One restored 1947 example had engine and airframe records back to the factory build sheet. Ask how the wings were rigged, since Piper Service Memo No. 19 covers dihedral and washout. Confirm the magnetos and brake master cylinders against the service items in the safety notes. Starting and engine notes In one 1947 owner's O-235-C1 airplane, only the left magneto had an impulse coupling. The mechanic said to start on Left, and the owner had always started on Both. Starting got harder after that change. A rough-starting engine can also have an overly lean idle mixture, so diagnose before replacing parts. One shop bill for a magneto and primer came to almost $1,900. Safety notes: • Piper VSP-62 (Lycoming SB 464A) covers PA-12 serials 12-02 through 12-4036: Bendix impulse coupling flyweights may be soft, risking total engine power loss. • Scott Service Bulletin 1248H-32-53 lists the PA-12: master brake cylinder diaphragms dated 3Q86 through 2Q89 may rupture, causing loss of braking. • TSB report A94W0078: a PA-12 stalled on departure at about 150 feet during a purchaser demo flight; both occupants died and the cause was not determined.