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The Piper J-3 (ICAO type J3) is an aircraft of United States origin. It has a maximum take-off weight of 500 kg. It offers a maximum range of 160 nm, a cruise speed of 71 knots, a service ceiling of 12,000 ft and seating for up to 2 across its variants.

Piper J-3

Piper J-3
J3
Photo via Wikipedia: Piper J-3 Cub
Year
—
Owner
—
Last seen
—
MTOW
500 kg
Range
160 nm
Seats
2
J-3
Piper · J-3
Model overview

Fleet & certification

Built
122
Active
122
Origin
United States
Certifying authorities
FAA
Market

Comparable listings

NC3561K · 1947 · 3,054 hrs
$29,900
ZS-AYC · 1946 · 4,408 hrs
$49,950
N59920 · 1947 · 852 hrs
$74,900
Variants

Per-variant specifications

VariantEngineMTOWRangeCruisePax
J-3
J-3
—454–500 kg160 nm71 kt1–2
Type certification

The FAA paperwork

TCDS ATC 660

MTOW
454 kg
Seats
1 crew · 1 passengers
Fuel
34 L
Engine

Continental A-40, A-40-2, A-40-3 or A-40-4

Read the TCDS (PDF) →
Safety & ops history

Where to look next

Detailed safety & ops history coming soon — view this model's FAA Airworthiness Directives at FAA.gov.
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Piper J-3 market & fleet intelligence

Registry, flight-tracking and market data on the Piper J-3 fleet — updated daily.

Fleet age

80 yearsmedian age

Of the 96 registered Piper J-3 with a known build year (79% of the 122 we track), the median age is 80 years.

Registration activity

5changed registration in 12 months

5 of the 122 registered Piper J-3 we track changed registration in the last 12 months (4% of the fleet), across 5 registration events. Registration changes include ownership transfers, re-registrations and address updates — not all are sales.

Piper J-3 manuals & documents

26 documents for the Piper J-3 — Pilot's Operating Handbook · Checklist · Flight Manual · Maintenance Manual · Parts Catalog · Service Bulletins · Weight & Balance · Wiring Diagrams · Specifications · Other Documents · Supplemental Type Certificate · Service Manual. PDFs served from cdn.sprinkle.com.

Overview
J-3 Cub 10cc Instruction Manual · 2024

This document serves as the instruction manual for the Piper J-3 Cub 10cc model, specifically designed for hobbyists and enthusiasts interested in assembling and operating this model aircraft. It provides detailed instructions on assembly, safety precautions, required components, and operational guidelines. The manual emphasizes the importance of safety and proper handling of the model, including recommendations for pre-flight checks and maintenance. It is essential for users to familiarize themselves with the features and assembly processes outlined in the manual to ensure safe and effective operation of the aircraft.

  • The manual is for the Piper J-3 Cub 10cc model.
  • Safety precautions must be followed to prevent injury and damage.
  • A preflight checklist is essential for ensuring airworthiness.
  • Assembly instructions include specific measurements and tools needed.
  • FAA regulations apply to model aircraft over 0.55 lbs (250 grams).
Read the document

Pilot's Operating Handbook

Checklist

Flight Manual

Maintenance Manual

Parts Catalog

Service Bulletins

Weight & Balance

Wiring Diagrams

Specifications

Other Documents

Supplemental Type Certificate

Service Manual

Documents are sourced from publicly available references. Sprinkle does not host OEM-restricted materials; if you are a rights-holder and want a document removed, email .

J-3 — frequently asked
What is the range of the Piper J-3?

The Piper J-3 has a maximum range of 160 nautical miles across variants.

How many people can the Piper J-3 carry?

The Piper J-3 seats up to 2 across its variants.

What is the MTOW of the Piper J-3?

The Piper J-3's maximum take-off weight is 500 kg.

What is the ICAO type designator for the Piper J-3?

The Piper J-3's ICAO type designator is J3.

How many Piper J-3 aircraft are registered worldwide?

Sprinkle tracks 122 registered Piper J-3 airframes worldwide.