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
Who owns them registrant type
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
Airworthiness certificate class
Biggest operators companies, schools and clubs
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
Each aircraft's own page already shows its NTSB accident and incident record. The model-wide record (accidents per year, fatal and non-fatal, against the number registered) is being added; it will appear here.
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 · 15 J3L (all versions)
| Tail no. | Maker and model | Owner and base | Certificate | Registered | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N24777 | Piper J3L |
Co-owned owner Florida |
Standard | 2026-07-20 | Valid |
| N26085 | Piper J3L |
Individual owner Ohio |
Standard | 2026-07-10 | Valid |
| N26769 | Piper J3L |
Cascade Aerial Services LLC Chehalis, Washington |
Standard | 2026-02-23 | Valid |
| N511ZK | Piper J3L |
Flying Devil Aviation LLC Dover, Delaware |
Standard | 2026-01-07 | Valid |
| N27967 | Piper J3L |
Dirigo Aerospace Solutions LLC Sumner, Maine |
Standard | 2024-11-25 | Valid |
| N85DF | Piper J3L |
J3 Shenanigans LLC Warrensburg, Missouri |
Standard | 2024-10-05 | Valid |
| N38345 | Piper J3L |
Individual owner South Carolina |
Standard | 2024-07-06 | Valid |
| N35081 | Piper J3L |
Individual owner New York |
Standard | 2024-01-17 | Valid |
| N40827 | Piper J3L |
A And W Aircraft INC Lake Geneva, Wisconsin |
Standard | 2023-05-10 | Valid |
| N31085 | Piper J3L |
Bandit Air LLC Stowe, Pennsylvania |
Standard | 2023-04-18 | Valid |
| N27065 | Piper J3L |
Whatley Aviation LTD Flower Mound, Texas |
Standard | 2018-08-08 | Valid |
| N24637 | Piper J3L |
Individual owner California |
None on file | 2012-05-10 | Valid |
| N24502 | Piper J3L |
Individual owner South Dakota |
Standard | 2011-05-14 | Valid |
| N3083X | Piper J3L |
Individual owner Washington |
None on file | 2011-04-28 | Valid |
| N25876 | Piper J3L |
Individual owner Minnesota |
Standard | 1992-03-19 | Valid |