While based on the design of the earlier Cubs, the addition of an electrical system, flaps, and a considerably more powerful engine, made it a very different flying experience. Although the "standard" Super Cub was fitted with a 150-horsepower Lycoming engine, it is not uncommon to see them equipped with a 160-horsepower O-320-B2B, or even 180 horsepower Lycoming O-360 powerplant. The high-lift wing and powerful engine made the Super Cub a prime candidate for conversion to either floatplane or skiplane. In addition, the PA-18A was produced for applying either dry chemical or liquid spray. The Super Cub retained the basic "rag and tube" structure of the earlier J-3 Cub. , England. Built 1958. The first true "Super" Cubs had flaps, dual fuel tanks, and an O-235 Lycoming engine producing about 108 hp. However, a 90 hp Continental variant without flaps and an optional second wing tank was available. Their empty weight was, on the average, 800–1000 pounds with a gross weight of 1,500 lb. These Cubs would take off in about 400 feet and land in about 300 feet. The Super Cub is renowned for its ability to take off and land in very short distances. The first Super Cubs were going to be offered with a unique four-wheel tandem main landing gear designed for landing and takeoff from rough terrain, but this was replaced with conventional landing gear. The O-290 Lycoming powered Cubs followed and would take off in about. The landing distance remained the same at about, or using flaps. With the use of the Lycoming O-320 at 150–160 hp, the Cub's allowable gross weight increased to 1,750 lb while retaining the capability of a mere required for takeoff. The PA-18 has developed a very dedicated following in the bush-flying community, and many modifications have been developed for it, to the point where it is quite rare to find an original, completely stock Super Cub. Modifications include extended baggage compartments, external luggage pods, fuel pods, lumber racks for carrying construction materials into unimproved bush runways. Also the removal of header tanks, larger 24 or even 30 gallon wing fuel tanks, extended main landing gear for better ground clearance of the propeller, strengthened tailwheel springs, the addition of a small third passenger seat in the luggage area and lightweight generators and starters. Also various different mount areas for the battery, various different tailfin shapes to increase surface area, lengthened flaps, various wingtip designs, vortex generators on the leading edge of the wings, movement of the electrical panel from the right wing root to the dashboard to reduce fire hazard during a crash, and even the addition of a constant-speed propeller. Above all, the most common modification is the addition of "bush wheels", large, soft, low pressure balloon-tires designed to absorb impacts from rocks and boulders, and to not sink into sand or other soft surfaces, ideal for off-runway landings.
Variants
;PA-18 Super Cub ;PA-18-105 Super Cub ;PA-18-105 Special ;PA-18-125 Super Cub ;PA-18-135 Super Cub ;PA-18-150 Super Cub ;PA-18-180 Super Cub ;PA-18A ;PA-18S ;PA-18AS ;PA-19 Super Cub ;Aeromod Loadstar Model 100 ;SAFAT 01: A Sudanese development / copy built by the SAFAT Aviation Complex at Khartoum.
Military designations
;L-18C Super Cub ;YL-21 Super Cub ;L-21A Super Cub ;L-21B Super Cub ;TL-21A ;U-7A Super Cub
