Piper J-3 Cub
3,805 on the U.S. register across 22 versions the FAA records separately. Built from 1938 to 1994; half of them date from 1946 or earlier. Texas has the most (325). 22% are registered to companies, flight schools, clubs and other organisations; the rest to individuals, who are never named here.
About the J-3 from the FAA's model table
- Type
- Fixed-wing, single engine · Piston singles
- Power
- Piston (reciprocating), 1 engine
- Common engines
- Cont Motor A&C65 Series (2,170), Cont Motor C85 Series (528), Cont Motor A&C75 Series (189)
- Seats
- 2
- Cruise speed
- about 67 mph
- Makers on the register
- Piper, Piper Aircraft Corp
- Registered
- earliest certificate September 5, 1946; newest October 1, 2026
Where they are owner's state
Texas325Florida283California230Wisconsin158Pennsylvania151Georgia151New York136Ohio134North Carolina134Washington112Minnesota110Illinois110
Who owns them registrant type
Individual2,485 (65%)Co-owned486 (13%)LLC415 (11%)Corporation319 (8%)Partnership92 (2%)Non-citizen corporation5 (0.1%)Not stated2 (0.1%)Government1 (0.0%)
Versions as the FAA records them · click one to list only those aircraft
| Version | Registered | Built | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| J3C-65 | 3,191 | 1937 to 1985 | 83.9% |
| J3L-65 | 179 | 1931 to 1955 | 4.7% |
| J3F-65 | 127 | 1938 to 1994 | 3.3% |
| J-3 | 104 | 1937 to 1975 | 2.7% |
| J-3C | 56 | 1940 to 1957 | 1.5% |
| J3C-85 | 34 | 1939 to 1946 | 0.9% |
| J3C-65S | 26 | 1940 to 1946 | 0.7% |
| J3F-50 | 22 | 1938 to 1984 | 0.6% |
| J3L | 15 | 1939 to 1946 | 0.4% |
| J3F-60 | 13 | 1938 to 1941 | 0.3% |
| J3C-50 | 13 | 1938 to 1947 | 0.3% |
| J3C-75 | 7 | 1939 to 1946 | 0.2% |
| J3C-90 | 6 | 1941 to 1946 | 0.2% |
| J3P | 3 | 1938 to 1939 | 0.1% |
| J3C65 | 2 | 1944 to 1946 | 0.1% |
| J3L-65S | 1 | 1939 | 0.0% |
| J3F-90 | 1 | 1946 | 0.0% |
| J3C-90-8F | 1 | — | 0.0% |
| J3C-75S | 1 | 1946 | 0.0% |
| J3C-50S | 1 | 1946 | 0.0% |
| J3-L4J | 1 | 1992 | 0.0% |
| J-3C-65/L-4 | 1 | 1944 | 0.0% |
When they were built by decade · 816 with no year on file
Registrations by year certificates issued since 2010, including changes of owner · 2026 is the year so far
Registration status
Valid3,754 (99%)Pending26 (0.7%)Sale reported8 (0.2%)Revoked7 (0.2%)Pending cancellation4 (0.1%)Canceled3 (0.1%)
Airworthiness certificate class
Standard3,395 (89%)None on file166 (4%)Restricted134 (4%)Multiple74 (2%)Experimental34 (0.9%)Special flight permit2 (0.1%)
Biggest operators companies, schools and clubs
Van Wagner Aerial Media LLC10Cape May Aerial Advertising LLC7Stewarts Aircraft Service INC6Pa-18 LLC6Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum5Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee5International Air Services INC Trustee5Plane Fun INC Tr Trustee4Orton Aviation LLC4Texas Barnstorming Museum3Scootair LLC3Riggin Flight Service INC3
Fleet pages: Van Wagner Aerial Media LLC · Cape May Aerial Advertising LLC · Stewarts Aircraft Service INC · Pa-18 LLC · Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum · Southern Aircraft Consultancy INC Trustee · International Air Services INC Trustee · Plane Fun INC Tr Trustee
Accident history NTSB records · 356 cases since 1982, 54 fatal
2026-07-20CEN26LA266 · J3C-65 N92432 · accident near Richmond, TX · serious injuries
2026-04-10ERA26LA168 · J3C-65 N92480 · accident near Crestview, FL · serious injuries
2025-07-25ANC25FA079 · J3C-65 N5050R · accident near Dillingham, AK · 1 killed
2025-07-13CEN25LA249 · J3C-65 N88220 · accident near Howard, WI · no injuries
2025-06-24ERA25FA239 · J3C-65 N28DR · accident near Dunlap, TN · 1 killed
2025-05-04CEN25FA166 · J3C-65 N98416 · accident near Wilson, KS · 1 killed
2024-07-27ERA24LA328 · J3C-65 N77522 · accident near Groveland, FL · minor injuries
2024-07-27CEN24LA290 · J3C-65 N98813 · accident near Fort Worth, TX · no injuries
The 8 most recent of 356 cases where the NTSB's make and model match this family's versions. Rates per registered aircraft, phases of flight and causes are coming with the analytics stage. Each aircraft's own page also shows its record.
Questions people ask answers refresh every morning
How many Piper J-3 Cub aircraft are registered in the U.S.?
3,805 as of October 2, 2026, counting 22 versions the FAA records separately.
Which state has the most Piper J-3s?
Texas, with 325.
Who owns the Piper J-3?
22% are registered to companies, flight schools, clubs and other organisations; the rest to individuals and co-owners, who are never named on this site.
Aircraft newest certificates first · 3,805
| Tail no. | Maker and model | Owner and base | Certificate | Registered | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N6872H | Piper J3C-65 |
N6872H LLC Raleigh, North Carolina |
Standard | 2024-04-18 | Valid |
| N7385H | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2024-04-16 | Valid |
| N98548 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner North Carolina |
Standard | 2024-04-16 | Valid |
| N42083 | Piper J3C-85 |
Co-owned owner Texas |
Standard | 2024-04-11 | Valid |
| N26950 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Florida |
Standard | 2024-04-10 | Valid |
| N92132 | Piper J3C-65 |
Withheld at owner's request | Standard | 2024-04-08 | Valid |
| N92398 | Piper J3C-65 |
Co-owned owner Maryland |
Standard | 2024-04-07 | Valid |
| N217DR | Piper J3C-65 |
Tec Concepts LLC Fruita, Colorado |
Standard | 2024-04-04 | Valid |
| N11814 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner West Virginia |
Standard | 2024-04-03 | Valid |
| N3471N | Piper J3C-65 |
Moser Luke V S Valentine, Nebraska |
Standard | 2024-04-03 | Valid |
| N98358 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2024-04-01 | Valid |
| N92249 | Piper J3C-65 |
Co-owned owner Alabama |
Standard | 2024-03-30 | Valid |
| N88567 | Piper J3C-65 |
Co-owned owner Washington |
Standard | 2024-03-28 | Valid |
| N37955 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2024-03-21 | Valid |
| N3647N | Piper J3C-65 |
English Christian M Santa Cruz, California |
Standard | 2024-03-20 | Valid |
| N70793 | Piper J3C-85 |
Co-owned owner Florida |
Standard | 2024-03-20 | Valid |
| N3586N | Piper J3C-65 |
Papa Leasing LLC Helena, Montana |
Standard | 2024-03-19 | Valid |
| N42303 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Virginia |
Standard | 2024-03-19 | Valid |
| N6345H | Piper J3C-65 |
Barker Aviation LLC Ardmore, Oklahoma |
Standard | 2024-03-18 | Valid |
| N70130 | Piper J-3C |
Individual owner Kansas |
None on file | 2024-03-16 | Valid |
| N98762 | Piper J3C-65S |
Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2024-03-16 | Valid |
| N2139M | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Arkansas |
Standard | 2024-03-15 | Valid |
| N23289 | Piper J3C-65 |
Jb West Aviation LLC Dumas, Arkansas |
Standard | 2024-03-15 | Valid |
| N5781N | Piper J3C-65 |
Boyertown Museum Of Historic Vehicles Boyertown, Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2024-03-15 | Valid |
| N250KE | Piper J3C-65 |
Co-owned owner Oregon |
Standard | 2024-03-14 | Valid |
| N98303 | Piper J-3 |
Individual owner Tennessee |
Restricted | 2024-03-13 | Valid |
| N2059M | Piper J3C-65 |
Co-owned owner Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2024-03-12 | Valid |
| N23325 | Piper J3C-65 |
Pa-18 LLC Hood River, Oregon |
Standard | 2024-03-12 | Valid |
| N30596 | Piper J3C-65 |
Pa-18 LLC Hood River, Oregon |
Standard | 2024-03-12 | Valid |
| N6036V | Piper J3C-65 |
Pa-18 LLC Hood River, Oregon |
Standard | 2024-03-12 | Valid |
| N1436N | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Alaska |
Standard | 2024-03-11 | Valid |
| N38318 | Piper J3L-65 |
Individual owner Iowa |
Standard | 2024-03-11 | Valid |
| N40774 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner New Jersey |
Standard | 2024-03-08 | Valid |
| N10U | Piper J3L-65 |
Individual owner Mississippi |
Standard | 2024-03-07 | Valid |
| N21583 | Piper J3F-65 |
Individual owner Mississippi |
Standard | 2024-03-07 | Valid |
| N98202 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner New York |
Standard | 2024-03-07 | Valid |
| N88338 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Colorado |
Standard | 2024-03-06 | Valid |
| N20255 | Piper J3C-65 |
Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum Hood River, Oregon |
Experimental | 2024-03-05 | Valid |
| N25786 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Nebraska |
Experimental | 2024-03-05 | Valid |
| N30210 | Piper J3C-65 |
Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum Hood River, Oregon |
Standard | 2024-03-05 | Valid |
| N42497 | Piper J3C-65 |
Mission Aviators LLC Spring, Texas |
Standard | 2024-03-05 | Valid |
| N3564K | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Massachusetts |
Standard | 2024-03-04 | Valid |
| N2090M | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2024-03-03 | Valid |
| N70584 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner California |
Standard | 2024-03-03 | Valid |
| N40975 | Piper J3F-65 |
Individual owner Tennessee |
Standard | 2024-02-29 | Valid |
| N70373 | Piper J3C-65 |
Co-owned owner California |
Standard | 2024-02-29 | Valid |
| N1463N | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Colorado |
Standard | 2024-02-26 | Valid |
| N11GD | Piper J3C-65 |
Co-owned owner Virginia |
Experimental | 2024-02-23 | Valid |
| N33596 | Piper J3C-65 |
Co-owned owner California |
Standard | 2024-02-19 | Valid |
| N71093 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Florida |
Standard | 2024-02-19 | Valid |
| N42628 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Kansas |
Standard | 2024-02-16 | Valid |
| N38622 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Georgia |
Standard | 2024-02-14 | Valid |
| N42909 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Florida |
Standard | 2024-02-14 | Valid |
| N92167 | Piper J3C-65S |
Individual owner Connecticut |
Standard | 2024-02-14 | Valid |
| N70375 | Piper J3C-85 |
Hatbrightfarm LLC Wilmington, Delaware |
Standard | 2024-02-12 | Valid |
| N7104H | Piper J3C-65 |
Spinnin Blades Services LLC Newton, North Carolina |
Standard | 2024-02-12 | Valid |
| N6047H | Piper J3C-65 |
Backcountryguys LLC Prescott, Arizona |
None on file | 2024-02-09 | Valid |
| N32635 | Piper J3L-65 |
Co-owned owner Montana |
Standard | 2024-02-08 | Valid |
| N70906 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner California |
Standard | 2024-02-08 | Valid |
| N92044 | Piper J3C-65S |
Individual owner Wisconsin |
Standard | 2024-02-08 | Valid |
| N1129V | Piper J3C-65 |
Carolina Flying Machines LLC Davidson, North Carolina |
Standard | 2024-02-07 | Valid |
| N21523 | Piper J-3 |
Co-owned owner Illinois |
Restricted | 2024-02-07 | Valid |
| N24806 | Piper J3C-50 |
Co-owned owner Arkansas |
Standard | 2024-01-31 | Valid |
| N3393N | Piper J3C-65 |
Piper Aviation Museum Foundation Lock Haven, Pennsylvania |
Restricted | 2024-01-31 | Valid |
| N5212 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Kansas |
None on file | 2024-01-31 | Valid |
| N70299 | Piper J-3 |
Individual owner Washington |
Experimental | 2024-01-31 | Valid |
| N70931 | Piper J3C-65 |
Nc70931 LLC Vero Beach, Florida |
Standard | 2024-01-29 | Valid |
| N6414H | Piper J3C-65 |
Moyers Michael S Shallowater, Texas |
Standard | 2024-01-26 | Valid |
| N88006 | Piper J3C-65 |
Safeflite Aviation LLC Glenwood, Iowa |
Standard | 2024-01-26 | Valid |
| N35173 | Piper J3C-65 |
Newby Aviation LLC Pingree Grove, Illinois |
Standard | 2024-01-25 | Valid |
| N33588 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Tennessee |
Standard | 2024-01-22 | Valid |
| N98284 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2024-01-19 | Valid |
| N28285 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner New York |
Restricted | 2024-01-17 | Valid |
| N35081 | Piper J3L |
Individual owner New York |
Standard | 2024-01-17 | Valid |
| N6684H | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner New York |
Standard | 2024-01-17 | Valid |
| N6114H | Piper J3C-65 |
Andover Flight School INC Andover, New Jersey |
Standard | 2024-01-15 | Valid |
| N16PD | Piper J-3 |
Individual owner Georgia |
Restricted | 2024-01-09 | Valid |
| N1501N | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2024-01-07 | Valid |
| N25994 | Piper J3L-65 |
Co-owned owner Georgia |
Standard | 2024-01-03 | Valid |
| N70997 | Piper J3C-65 |
Aberdeen Pilots LLC Boerne, Texas |
Standard | 2024-01-03 | Valid |
| N98164 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Michigan |
Standard | 2024-01-03 | Valid |
| N28188 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Maryland |
Standard | 2024-01-02 | Valid |
| N98558 | Piper J3C-65 |
Transitional Technology INC Lafayette, Louisiana |
Standard | 2024-01-02 | Valid |
| N16EH | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Louisiana |
Standard | 2023-12-31 | Valid |
| N70492 | Piper J3C-65 |
Papa Leasing LLC Helena, Montana |
Standard | 2023-12-31 | Valid |
| N42869 | Piper J3C-65 |
Stick N Rudder LLC Cave Creek, Arizona |
Standard | 2023-12-30 | Valid |
| N6170H | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Ohio |
Standard | 2023-12-30 | Valid |
| N7119H | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Georgia |
Multiple | 2023-12-29 | Valid |
| N92400 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Alabama |
Standard | 2023-12-21 | Valid |
| N24904 | Piper J3C-65 |
Bob Hoover Academy Salinas, California |
Standard | 2023-12-19 | Valid |
| N29262 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Washington |
Standard | 2023-12-19 | Valid |
| N9822A | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Texas |
Standard | 2023-12-18 | Valid |
| N7426H | Piper J3C-65 |
Bga-Viation INC Bennettsville, South Carolina |
Standard | 2023-12-15 | Valid |
| N33450 | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Ohio |
Standard | 2023-12-14 | Valid |
| N42853 | Piper J3C-65 |
Aero Applications INC Burley, Idaho |
Standard | 2023-12-14 | Valid |
| N6495H | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2023-12-13 | Valid |
| N40744 | Piper J3L-65 |
Individual owner Vermont |
Standard | 2023-12-12 | Valid |
| N46286 | Piper J3C-65 |
Cape May Aerial Advertising LLC Rio Grande, New Jersey |
Restricted | 2023-12-11 | Valid |
| N70452 | Piper J3C-65 |
Yellow Two LLC Winter Garden, Florida |
Standard | 2023-12-09 | Valid |
| N2208M | Piper J3C-65 |
Individual owner Ohio |
Standard | 2023-12-08 | Valid |