Development milestones
First flight: 1949
Developed from: Piper PA-11 Cub Special
Aircraft libraryPiper PA-18 Super Cub
Ad Meskens · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Piper PA-18 Super Cub picturedPiper PA-18 Super Cub
A tandem-seat utility aircraft whose light structure and high wing suit bush, towing and recreational work.
General aviation4 profile choices
Know the plane
The Super Cub joined Piper's range in 1949, developing earlier Cub designs with more power and equipment. It retained the braced high wing, tandem cabin and tailwheel layout. Its working roles include glider towing, banner towing and remote-area transport.
Many individual aircraft are modified with different engines, wheels and equipment. Each simulator package identifies its represented variant and cockpit.
Piper PA-18 Super Cub · Specifications (PA-18-150 landplane) · real aircraft; source units retained
- Length
- 22 ft 7 in (6.88 m)↗
- Wingspan
- 35 ft 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 in (10.732 m)↗
- Height
- 6 ft 8 + 1 ⁄ 2 in (2.045 m)↗
- Wing area
- 178.5 sq ft (16.58 m² )↗
- Empty weight
- 930 lb (422 kg)↗
- Max takeoff weight
- 1,750 lb (794 kg)↗
- Powerplant
- 1 × Lycoming O-320 air-cooled flat four engine, 150 hp (110 kW)↗
- Maximum speed
- 130 mph (209 km/h, 113 kn)↗
- Cruise speed
- 115 mph (185 km/h, 100 kn) (75% power)↗
- Stall speed
- 43 mph (69 km/h, 37 kn) (flaps down)↗
More about this aircraft on AirframeDB
A Cub adapted to working from rough ground
Laminar’s background chapter describes a fabric-covered steel-tube fuselage, a braced high wing and the extra power, flaps and wing tanks that distinguish the Super Cub from the earliest Cub designs. It also describes the broad modification culture around the type, including large low-pressure tyres, cargo racks and additional storage. Those visible changes help explain why two PA-18 photographs can show quite different working equipment.
A factory-fresh working Cub in 1975
Garvey borrowed a new 150-horsepower Super Cub at the factory before its owner, Piper dealer Jim Porter, took it home. His report places it in an interesting period: Piper was promoting its newer designs while customers who needed a Cub already knew where to find one. The aeroplane's fabric covering, tandem seats and simple starting controls made its older lineage immediately apparent, even with the extra power and flaps of the Super Cub.
For the flight, two people and full tanks left the aircraft below its permitted maximum weight. Garvey reported a strong climb that continued at 4,000 feet. He tried stalls with and without power and flap, describing mild breaks and prompt recovery in each case. A half-flap arrival then showed the compact landing performance that helped explain the aircraft's working reputation. His brief evaluation conveys a practical, capable machine encountered during production, with the results tied to that flight's loading rather than an assumed performance standard for today's many modified Cubs.
Rediscovering the Super Cub, one landing at a time
Davisson returned to the PA-18 after roughly fifteen years away, flying Tom Hampton's restored 150-horsepower Super Cub on the same afternoon as an older J-2. Its larger tyres, comfortable seats and stronger climb made the family resemblance feel distinctly more capable. He liked the control response and could see ahead well enough on the ground without the weaving taxi he might have expected from a tailwheel aircraft. His comparison concerns these particular Cubs, not every version carrying the name.
The landings provided a candid account of relearning the aeroplane. His first clean approach floated and ended with a bounce on the large tyres. Half flap made the next descent easier to manage and reduced the float. For the final attempt, he used full flap but let the speed decay too early, leaving little elevator authority for the flare and another untidy arrival. He did not perform stalls on this flight.
From a Cessna 210 to an Alaskan float Cub
Worthy first flew a Super Cub in 2013 at Alaska Float Ratings in Moose Pass. Most of her previous experience had been in a Cessna 210, so she expected the stick and left-hand throttle to require adjustment. Instead, both felt natural almost immediately. She flew two 160-horsepower examples with different floats and panels, learning the unfamiliar work of manoeuvring on water and choosing a takeoff direction without a marked runway.
From the front seat, the view to either side became a large part of the attraction: the flights passed turquoise lakes and glacier-covered mountains. She found the float Cub much more responsive than the heavier Cessna she knew, while still feeling steady in the canyon winds she encountered. Simulated power-loss exercises also made the extra drag of the floats memorable. Her account is a recollection of supervised seaplane training, and her strongest impression was the simple pleasure of it; she remembers finishing flights with her face aching from smiling.
Public sources 9
- Piper PA-18 Super CubResearch background · Wikipedia revision 1331579518 · retrieved 2026-09-12
- Piper PA-18 Super Cub POH
- X-Plane 12 Desktop Manual
- X-Plane aircraft and avionics manuals
- Reality Expansion Pack · Default XP12 Piper Super CubOfficial developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12
- Piper Super CubWilliam Garvey · July 1975 flight report
- Piper Cub flight reportCredited to Budd Davisson, courtesy of Airbum · PA-18 portion
- Piper PA-18 Super CubR. K. Dick Williams with Crista Worthy · 22 January 2016 · Worthy first-person section
- ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsPublic search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03
How the profile models it
Piper PA-18 Super Cub Straight Floats
Free + ProMSFS 2020MSFS 2024X-Plane 12
A tandem-seat utility aircraft whose light structure and high wing suit bush, towing and recreational work.
Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Pitch-trim relief is off. Autopilot following is off.
This exact revision has not been enabled for public installation.
Aircraft and configuration
The PA18 cockpit manual identifies a control stick for pitch and roll and a rotary pitch-trim handle.
About the values
Strengths are normalized hardware-feel settings. They set the effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its limits. The IAS reference is a tuning value.
Master gain & control system
Master gain85%
The final overall output scale applied to everything the model produces, before the device cap.
More: everything (spring, loads, effects) gets stronger together.
Less: everything softens together.
Why here: Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.
Forces
Spring strength74%
The base centring force that pulls the stick back to centre. Every other force stacks on it. Too low and the stick feels limp in normal flight; too high and it fights your hand and masks the smaller cues layered above it.
More: firmer centring that resists your hand at all times.
Less: a limper stick that leans on aerodynamic load alone.
Why here: This profile uses reversible-control loading for Piper PA-18 Super Cub. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 42.5 KIAS.
Overall aerodynamic load80%
A master scale over both sustained axis loads, applied before their independent balance. Profiles normally leave this alone and tune the two axis loads instead.
More: both axes load up harder.
Less: both axes lighten together.
Why here: The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 85 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring.
Max output force55%
A cap on each steady pitch or roll force before it reaches the device, guarding against slamming or saturating the hardware in strong maneuvers.
More: stronger peak steady forces before clipping.
Less: a gentler ceiling; hard maneuvers flatten out sooner.
Why here: Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate.
Elevator load100%
The sustained pitch load from elevator deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of roll. This is the main lever behind a type's pitch weight. It does not touch aileron, spring, trim, or buffet forces.
More: heavier sustained pitch forces at speed.
Less: a lighter elevator that takes less muscle to hold.
Why here: Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.
Aileron load68%
The sustained roll load from aileron deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of pitch. Together with the elevator load it sets the control-harmony ratio reviewers talk about.
More: heavier roll forces.
Less: lighter, quicker-feeling ailerons.
Why here: Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.68 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled.
Force tuning speed85
The indicated airspeed where aerodynamic load reaches its designed full level. It anchors the whole load curve to the aircraft's real speed range: a 172 loads up by 110 knots, a jet much later.
More: loads arrive later; the stick stays light up to a higher speed.
Less: loads arrive earlier and cruise feels heavier.
Why here: Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit.
Spring engagement start8 kt
The airspeed where the spring begins climbing from its low-speed floor toward full strength: the controls "coming alive" on the takeoff roll.
Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit.
Spring engagement full42.5 kt
The airspeed where the spring reaches full strength. Between the start and this point, centring firms up progressively as airflow builds over the controls.
Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.
Spring deadband4%
A small neutral zone around centre where the spring stays quiet, so tiny movements at rest don't chatter. Wider is calmer but looser; narrower is more precise but can twitch around centre.
More: a calmer but looser centre with more free play.
Less: a tighter centre that may chatter at rest.
Why here: Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner.
Airspeed blendingTrue
Enables the low-speed spring engagement window (start/full knots above). Off, the spring is constant at all speeds.
Why here: Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it.
Low-speed spring floor50%
How much of the spring survives at a standstill, before airspeed can build any aerodynamic force. A high floor keeps the parked stick firm; a low floor gives the loose, cable-slack feel of a parked light aircraft.
More: a firmer stick while parked and taxiing.
Less: a floppier parked stick that only wakes up with airspeed.
Why here: Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength.
Centre firmness vs speed15%
How much the centring itself stiffens with speed, on top of the deflection loads. Zero keeps centre feel constant; more makes the stick centre harder at cruise and looser in the pattern.
More: a centre that hardens noticeably as you go faster.
Less: constant centre feel at every speed.
Why here: The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 42.5 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5.
Centre stiffening cap5
The upper limit on speed-driven centre stiffening, so very fast flight can't wind the spring up without bound.
More: more total stiffening allowed at high speed.
Less: stiffening clamps off sooner.
Why here: Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap.
Trim
Trim relief (elevator)0%
How strongly elevator trim relieves held pitch force and shifts where the stick settles. At 100%, a properly trimmed aircraft needs no held pressure, the trim-away-the-load workflow of real flying.
More: trim removes more of the held pitch force; at 100% full trim zeroes it.
Less: you keep holding force even when trimmed.
Why here: The profile uses the trim behaviour configured below. Pitch relief is off, with stored authority 0; roll authority is 0.
Trim relief (aileron)0%
The same relief for roll trim. Most GA types have no real aileron trim, so this stays at zero; types with roll trim get a matching value.
More: roll trim removes more held roll force.
Less: roll trim does less.
Why here: Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response.
Effect gains · ground
Runway rumble40%
Rolling surface vibration from wheel speed and surface type: pavement, grass, or gravel under the gear.
More: louder surface texture through the stick.
Less: a smoother taxi.
Why here: Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration.
Gear bumps25%
Short discrete bumps from expansion joints, ruts, and rough surface, punctuating the continuous rumble.
More: sharper hits from joints and ruts.
Less: softer ground detail.
Why here: Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact.
Effect gains · airframe
Stall buffet35%
Airframe shake approaching the stall and while the stall warning is active: how loudly this wing announces it is unhappy. Types with a crisp break get modest buffet and let the horn carry the warning.
More: a louder pre-stall shake.
Less: a quieter wing; the horn carries the warning.
Why here: Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings.
Mach buffet0%
Transonic buffet approaching the Mach limit. Meaningful for jets near MMO, zero for pistons and turboprops that never get there.
More: stronger transonic buffet near the Mach limit.
Less: a smoother high-Mach ride.
Why here: Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate.
Flap buffet0%
Low-frequency airframe vibration with flaps extended into the airflow, in the speed window where they actually work the air.
More: a rougher ride with flaps working the air.
Less: smoother approach flap.
Why here: Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate.
Gear buffet0%
Airframe drumming from retractable gear hanging in the airstream. Zero for fixed-gear types, where the airframe never changes shape.
More: more drumming with the wheels hanging out.
Less: cleaner gear-down flight.
Why here: Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate.
Stick shaker50%
The dedicated stall stick-shaker buzz, fired by the aircraft's own stall-warning system. Only types with a real shaker get a value; everything else relies on aerodynamic buffet and the horn.
More: a harder stick-shaker buzz.
Less: a subtler shaker.
Why here: Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled.
Effect gains · engine, mechanical & drag
Touchdown thump65%
The one-shot kick when the wheels meet the runway, scaled by sink rate: a greaser whispers, a firm arrival thumps.
More: a harder kick at touchdown.
Less: softer arrivals.
Why here: Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse.
Reverse rumble0%
Rollout vibration while reverse thrust or beta-range props are working. Zero for types without reverse.
More: a rougher rollout under reverse.
Less: quieter reverse.
Why here: Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue.
Engine rumble12%
Continuous powerplant vibration following RPM between idle and full power, the ever-present reminder that something is burning fuel up front.
More: more engine through the stick.
Less: a quieter powerplant.
Why here: Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration.
Flap motion12%
Continuous vibration only while the sim reports the flap surfaces actually travelling. It follows real actuator motion and failures, not an estimated timer.
More: more vibration while the flap surfaces travel.
Less: quieter flap runs.
Why here: Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue.
Autopilot follow
AP follow authority10%
How far autopilot commands may physically move the stick. Kept tiny in MSFS, where a moved axis can read back as pilot input; zero disables following entirely.
More: the autopilot visibly moves your stick further.
Less: a barely perceptible follow.
Why here: Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply.
Stick feel
StickFeel · Trim feel enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.
StickFeel · Trim relief enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount.
StickFeel · Force trim enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification.
StickFeel · G load enabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it.
StickFeel · Rate damping enabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law.
Autopilot
Autopilot · Follow enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Autopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Autopilot · Neutral hold enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.
Autopilot · Neutral hold strength0.6
Why here: Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled.
Aero
Aero · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions.
Aero · Max flap index3
Where this effect reaches full strength (or has fully faded, for washouts).
More: a more gradual build to a later peak.
Less: a quicker build.
Why here: Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3.
Aero · Min flap index2
Where this effect begins fading in.
More: the effect begins later.
Less: it begins earlier.
Why here: Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees.
Aero · Shaker enabledFalse
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment.
Ground
Ground · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry.
Engine
Engine · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry.
Mechanical
Mechanical · EnabledTrue
Whether this feature is active in this profile.
Why here: Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement.
Mechanical · Gain0
The strength of this effect.
More: a stronger effect.
Less: a weaker one.
Why here: Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects.
All profile settings
| Parameter | Value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | 0.74 | This profile uses reversible-control loading for Piper PA-18 Super Cub. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 42.5 KIAS. |
| Force gain | 0.8 | The aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 85 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master gain | 0.85 | Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Maximum output force | 0.55 | Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Elevator force scale | 1 | Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Aileron force scale | 0.68 | Roll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.68 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Force tuning speed | 85 kt | Sets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring wake-up speed | 8 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring full-strength speed | 42.5 kt | Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| StickFeel · Trim feel enabled | False | Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| StickFeel · Trim relief enabled | False | Allows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| StickFeel · Force trim enabled | False | Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| Autopilot · Follow enabled | False | Autopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold enabled | False | Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Spring deadband | 0.045 | Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Dynamic-pressure blend | True | Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| Minimum spring factor | 0.5 | Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening | 0.15 | The high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 42.5 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed stiffening cap | 5 | Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| StickFeel · Elevator authority | 0 | The profile uses the trim behaviour configured below. Pitch relief is off, with stored authority 0; roll authority is 0. |
| StickFeel · Aileron authority | 0 | Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| StickFeel · G load enabled | True | Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| StickFeel · Rate damping enabled | True | Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot · Follow authority | 0.1 | Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot · Neutral hold strength | 0.6 | Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Aero · Enabled | True | Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Aero · Gain | 0.35 | Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Aero · Max flap index | 3 | Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Aero · Min flap index | 2 | Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Aero · Gain | 0 | Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Aero · Shaker enabled | False | Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Aero · Amplitude | 0.5 | Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Ground · Enabled | True | Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.4 | Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.25 | Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Ground · Gain | 0.65 | Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Ground · Gain | 0 | Sets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Engine · Enabled | True | Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Engine · Gain | 0.12 | Sets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Mechanical · Enabled | True | Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0.12 | Sets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Mechanical · Gain | 0 | Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Public sources 9
- Piper PA-18 Super CubResearch background · Wikipedia revision 1331579518 · retrieved 2026-09-12
- Piper PA-18 Super Cub POH
- X-Plane 12 Desktop Manual
- X-Plane aircraft and avionics manuals
- Reality Expansion Pack · Default XP12 Piper Super CubOfficial developer / designated store catalogue · checked 2026-09-12
- Piper Super CubWilliam Garvey · July 1975 flight report
- Piper Cub flight reportCredited to Budd Davisson, courtesy of Airbum · PA-18 portion
- Piper PA-18 Super CubR. K. Dick Williams with Crista Worthy · 22 January 2016 · Worthy first-person section
- ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsPublic search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03
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