Thanks Cub MD (can we call you doc?)
We'll crafted words put in order to make since. By the way, the PA-18 I "claimed" wieghs 1067, really does, and you're right about the years, my experince is the older ones are generally lighter. Mine is a 1951 model.
Came from Piper as a PA-18 125, then we converted it to the 150, by replceing some tubes. However, as a whole, the plane is lighter than most.
The engine is worked-up 0-320 wide deck, data from the computer hook-up to the dyno we ran it on indicated 187hp at 2700 rpm. Using an 82-42 wheel I "hold" it back to 2700rpm on take off. Of course once at cruise speed the extra ponies do nothing. No doubt, some one will propably call me liar on that also, any takers? Crash? Doubt my wieght? (wanna put you're money where your big mouth is?..or is it easier just to lip off here?..do you REALLY have ANY true flying experince.....lets go for our OWN flying contest....my old (heavy) delapadated peice of junk aginst your shiny new rig)
My PA-11 Cub (actually not mine anymore, got bent) was light and could run circles around most 18's. I won several short-take competions with it, and would absoluty blow away any 180hp cub in the short take off or slow flight contest.
I live in Dillingham, which is rual Alaska, call it "bush" if you'd like. Located 350 air-miles off the road system, Western Alaska, Bristol Bay region.
The reality is that most guys around here do keep thier Cubs light. These are real working Cubs that we use everday for short & rough field work. Of couse the 1,000 lbs mark is what we all strive for. The heaviest Cubs we see around here come from road-system guys that "think" they know EVERTHING. Most of them have ever doo-dad money can buy strapped thie their machine.
ALL of at least MOST of the doo-dads add weight. The overwhelming majority of do-dads are sold to folks because "the added performance".
Well........BIG revelation to all the doo-dad buyer, it ADDS WEIGHT!
If you'd REALLY like to see TRUE maximum Cub performance...fly a lightweight Cub. A real lightweight Cub has an excellent power-to-weight ratio and will fly good, and perform great!
The fellow who built his own cub, then went into great detail, on here to defend his position, about ALL of the work he did to build it light, congradulations! Sounds like a great piece of equipment...bet it flys good to!
Good Flying...>Byron