My New Cub

[phdigger123]

Well, here it is. I have been dreaming of a new Super Cub since 1976 when I was taking flying lessons at Ice Flying Service at KPIR. My kit arrived from Javron on March 2,2022. Today I received my airworthiness certificate.



Empty weight is 1068 pounds with a CG 12.75” behind the leading edge. The engine is a Superior O-320 160 hp with a Vetterman exhaust system, and a Sensenich ground adjustable propeller. Zero thrust line engine mount, Trig com and transponder. Li-Fe battery on the firewall. I used Stewart Systems for covering.



I used a fabric headliner. All of the interior panels are fabric covered as well. It also has a rear seat heater installed.



I tried to keep the panel simple. There is an I-Pad mount in the middle for navigation, otherwise no bells or whistles.

Weather and insurance permitting, I hope to make the first flight tomorrow!

[SJ]

Congratulations! Looks great!

sj

[stewartb]

Congrats! Enjoy the first flight.

[mixer]

Cecil would be proud. Well done.


Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org

[phdigger123]

Cecil would be proud. Well done.


Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org

So, how did you know Cecil? He gave me my first airplane ride in a Super Cub.

[mvivion]

Very nice!

[tedwaltman1]

Awesome! Motivating and very special to hear of you achieving your life-long dream!

[DJ]

So cool. Looks great!

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using SuperCub.Org mobile app

[Mr. Ed]

Congratulations! Give us a report on how the first flight goes.

[Steve Pierce]

Congratulations, more fun to come.

[umwminer]

Less than a year and a half to get her built and she’s gorgeous. First build ?

[hotrod180]

Less than a year and a half to get her built and she’s gorgeous. First build ?

My thought too.
I've seen projects like this drag on for years, and some never get done....
taking only a year & a half is pretty damn impressive.

[Blairarne]

good job mike

[rjmech]

Nice work!
Lets see that 18 around Airlake sometime.
Tad

[DENNY]

Great job!!
DENNY

[Bill Rusk]

Congratulations!!! Very well done!!

Bill

[Cardiff Kook]

Nice. I am in awe of builders. I want to do it one day…. Probably would do a javron.

[phdigger123]

Time flies, and so does the new Cub! I have 10 hours on it so far. When I started to fly it, it had a strong left turning tendency. I turned the right rear strut out one turn and the left rear strut in one turn. It now flys hand off.

I have the zero thrust line engine mount. Compared to the 18A I used to have, it seems that I need a lot more down trim. Thinking it through, this makes sense to me, but I am curious what other folks have experienced with the trim on the zero thrust line mod.

Indicated stall at idle is 32 MPH with no flaps and 28 with full flaps. It does have VGs. Testing indicated airspeeds against GPS speeds seem to be fairly close. More testing will tell the whole story on indicated airspeed accuracy.

My engine rpm has been low. I was only getting 2525 RPM in full throttle cruise with a 76" Sensenich ground adjustable prop in the zero pitch pin position. I visited with Sensenich and it appears that my prop blades were set up for an O-360 versus the O-320 that I actually have. The blades are at Sensenich right now getting re-pinned for an O-320. I am looking forward to seeing how the airplane performs with the prop actually set up for my engine.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with my new Cub. What a great airplane! I will post more information as the test flying progresses. This was my first build to completion. I built about 80% of a Pietenpol in the 1990's. My company transferred me to Mexico to manage a plant and I never got back into the swing of building it. It has been sold twice and is still not complete.

Regards,

Mike

[SJ]

Mike, I find that with the Thrustline mod on my plane, I don’t have to re-trim for landing, that the cruise setting works great with full flaps.

Looking forward to seeing it in person!

sj

[supercub83a]

I also made the exact same strut adjustments as you on my Javron cub. I think most others have made those as well. Probably reasonable that anyone building a Javron save themselves a little work and just start with the left aft strut in one full turn and the right rear strut out one full turn. After the plane is rigged to spec that is.


Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org

[KevinJ]

I also made the exact same strut adjustments as you on my Javron cub. I think most others have made those as well. Probably reasonable that anyone building a Javron save themselves a little work and just start with the left aft strut in one full turn and the right rear strut out one full turn. After the plane is rigged to spec that is.


Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org

At least they’re consistent! Is there a jig a hair off or an attach fitting not quite kosher?

[tempdoug]

At least they’re consistent! Is there a jig a hair off or an attach fitting not quite kosher?

or the tail fin not offset a touch?

[supercub83a]

My tail fin is offset. Im sure there must be variation in every jig. Also if I recall a lot of planes have the left wing at a slightly higher AOA. Maybe a precisely built cub requires the same? Mine flies hands off with the ball centered. Actually much straighter and faster than my last cub which I was also happy with.


Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org

[Steve Pierce]

So do these struts come pre-set from Javron? If not how are you rigging the wings?

[supercub83a]

They are not preset. Mine was rigged once before fabric cover using a digital protractor and straight edge. I verified after cover and final assembly that it was rigged to spec with the protractor and also verified on another 3ft digital level. Probably spent more time than I should have but Im certain it was correct per the piper specs.

Dihedral was set first, measured with string and measuring from wing spar at fuselage attach.




Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org

[Steve Pierce]

Did you compare the two outboard aileron bay rib angles? Usually when I get those the same it flies hands off or might take a 1/2 turn or so. There are so many variables when rigging it is hard for me to imagine that every Javron is gonna take the exact same rigging for each airplane.

[DENNY]

Adjusting the vertical is not done in the jig. It is a eyeball/strong arm SWAG adjustment.
DENNY

[Gordon Misch]

SWAG and TLAR. I think it's s'posed to align with 1 1/2" left of centerline at the top of the birdcage? Maybe more with 180 HP???????

Steve P???????????

[Steve Pierce]

SWAG and TLAR. I think it's s'posed to align with 1 1/2" left of centerline at the top of the birdcage? Maybe more with 180 HP???????

Steve P???????????

Yes, I set the vertical stabilizer to point 1 1/2" left of the middle of fuselage at windshield prior to cover. I have always been able to tweak from there by pushing the leading edge of the stab to get the ball centered in flight after the wings fly hands off.

[supercub83a]

Did you compare the two outboard aileron bay rib angles? Usually when I get those the same it flies hands off or might take a 1/2 turn or so. There are so many variables when rigging it is hard for me to imagine that every Javron is gonna take the exact same rigging for each airplane.

I believe that I did on mine and they were within 1/10 of a degree, but I cant remember. I can measure mine when I get home and see.



Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org mobile app

[BC12D-4-85]

Torque reaction and other P-effects can make the plane roll left depending upon power. Watch a floatplane or multi amphib with power getting on step...left wing can briefly drop. In flight look at the ailerons (edit: and flaps if equipped)....level and the same? If not adjust the wings. And that's why there's asymmetric wash on wings if the P-effects are there.

Gary

[phdigger123]

Sensenich reworked the propeller blades for an O320. All I can say is wow. The engine now turns 2650 in level flight at full throttle. Full throttle cruise is now 119 mph indicted that cross checks with GPS.