Super cub questions?

[PA Hunter]

I am planning an Alaska diy moose hunt in 2021 and this will be my first hunt going in with a super cub. My question is what typically can I wear flying into my hunting location? Can I layer hunting clothes stuffing heavy objects in my pockets like batteries, knives, gps,etc. I also have an Alaskan guide bino pack rather large can I typically wear this on my chest flying in? Will it interfere with the seatbelt? It has pockets also I could cram items in also. Can I wear a sidearm on a chest rig? I guess I wanted to wear as much in as I can on my body since I am restricted to 55 lbs for my pack. Website says rifle is excluded but I can put shells in my pocket. I really didn’t want to bug the air taxi anymore already since he already replied to 13 of my emails. I have been on four moose hunts already just never restricted to weight. Any info greatly appreciated Steve,

 

[Southforkguy]

I would talk to the air taxi directly, he is gonna answer those questions better than anyone.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I would say, most likely, yes to all those questions, but obviously it depends on the pilot. Just out of curiosity, who are you flying in with? I've done probably a half dozen super cub hunts with 3 different operators and the items that you mention carrying, would not be a problem.

 

[Grumman]

It’s pilots discretion so check with him for sure. Unless they remove it, you will have a control stick coming up between your legs in a Super Cub and you need to allow its full range of motion. I was flying a dingbat realtor one time to take pics of a property and he wrapped his camera strap around his control stick while in flight restricting its movement. Luckily I felt it before landing or maneuvering and it didn’t cause an issue but he learned his lesson.


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[Yellowknife]

Might be worth a phone call to the guy rather than more emails. Sometimes its faster for them to just line you out over the phone.

That said, a PA-18 will have two legal limitations. The baggage compartment max weight as specified in the manual (typically 50 lbs if unmodified) AND the "useful load", which varies by aircraft but is basically the max legal gross weight minus the actual weight of the aircraft. That useful load has to include the pilot, passenger, baggage and fuel on board. That "useful load" thing is the reason cub pilots will spend huge money on carbon fiber parts, drill holes in seat backs, and keep the instruments absolutely minimal. If you think backpackers are into ultralight, you haven't talked to an off-airport cub pilot.

Usually, there is enough breathing room to stuff your pockets, but if you are a big guy be aware that you may be pushing other limits. And even if you aren't maxing out gross weight, lighter is always better off airport.

Like I said, a phone call can clear things up with the pilot. He will know where he is putting you and what weight he wants to fly into that spot.

 

[Kevin Dill]

100% agree with Yellowknife. I personally don't recommend wearing extra clothes and stuffing yourself with gear. Climbing into the backseat of a Cub is akin to being the biggest clown in the back seat of a clown-car. It's tight and you'll appreciate some space and flexibility. Sidearms, binocs and clunky stuff (including insulated jackets) are a total no-no on my person when I fly.

 

[PA Hunter]

100% agree with Yellowknife. I personally don't recommend wearing extra clothes and stuffing yourself with gear. Climbing into the backseat of a Cub is akin to being the biggest clown in the back seat of a clown-car. It's tight and you'll appreciate some space and flexibility. Sidearms, binocs and clunky stuff (including insulated jackets) are a total no-no on my person when I fly.

I weigh 218 lbs and my binos are on the heavier side Zeiss 10 + 45 RF. I suppose I may be better off just cutting my food weight as I allowed 18 lbs for 9 days to make the pack weight. I tried watching every YouTube video made hunting and couldn’t see what hunters wear getting in one. I will call the pilot as it nears just wanted to pick away at my gear as this superlite gear is crazy expensive. Appreciate all responses.

 

[AK Troutbum]

If your only option is a SC, and you don’t want to deal with the expense of buying more, lighter wt. gear, and the hassle/worry of whether or not you’re going to “make wt.”, you may want to just do two loads. My personal opinion, regarding moose hunting, is that being comfortable and NOT doing it “backpack style”, is the only way to moose hunt.


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[Kevin Dill]

.... you may want to just do two loads. My personal opinion, regarding moose hunting, is that being comfortable and NOT doing it “backpack style”, is the only way to moose hunt.

Here, here. Although I don't know the specifics of what an extra flight might cost or entail, it gets way cheaper when you can have each guy bring 20+ extra pounds (or more) and split the cost several ways.

 

[cnelk]

Find out if you'll be landing on water or gravel.

If its water, you'll want to be wearing hip boots and be ready unload gear in thigh deep water.

Think backwards. Pack gear with items you use/need first on top.

Cub pilots like to have more small gear bags than a couple big bulky ones.

Plan on having something in your lap and under your seat when sitting behind the pilot.

 

[VernAK]

Here, here. Although I don't know the specifics of what an extra flight might cost or entail, it gets way cheaper when you can have each guy bring 20+ extra pounds (or more) and split the cost several ways.

YUP!.....for sure that extra gear load makes for a comfortable camp and more palatable food.......a bit of beverage is nice at times also. Usually 4 of us fly in to moose camp and we fly two gear loads. A chair of some sort really helps as does the new lightweight cots.

 

[AKBorn]

Like VerkAK, I always do an extra gear load (I typically hunt with 1 other hunter). I like having an extra tent, plenty of food, camp chairs, and a few tarps to use for shading meat.

 

[jhayes6405]

Pardon my ignorance and thread derailment, but with those kind of weight limits, how is the meat coming out? I'm sure there is an obvious answer I'm missing, but figured I 'd ask.

 

[VernAK]

The meat/antlers trips are separate and charged later. Usually not cheap.

Antlers are usually tied to the strut and passengers are not usually carried with that configuration.

 

[cnelk]

I was lucky enough to fly out the last trip with my moose antlers.
Something I wont forget

 

[Yellowknife]

Pardon my ignorance and thread derailment, but with those kind of weight limits, how is the meat coming out? I'm sure there is an obvious answer I'm missing, but figured I 'd ask.

The other guys have it right. The moose usually comes out in couple loads separate from the people hauls.

You would have to see how cub goes together, but the rear seat folds down or removes, which leaves the passenger space available for a couple quarters.

I've flown with external loads too. With one flyweight female pilot, we had plenty of useful load, but needed to keep the CG forward. My rifle went on one wing and my frame pack (with full camp) was bungee corded to the other wing just like those moose antlers. A practice they referred to as "super cub squirrel cheeks"

 

[jhayes6405]

Interesting. I really have no idea how small or underpowered these planes must be. Thank you for the replies.

 

[Trial153]

I wear my Harness with binos and whatever else is normally in it. It’s tight to my chest and not any more intrusive then just binos. My pockets will have things like my release, inreach, phone, or whatever I normally keep in my pockets, I don’t go crazy cramming things on me. I will have all my layers on except for puffy and rain gear. Other then that it’s my pack, bow and small dry bags on the load shelf or maybe one separate as well. I don’t like to rearrange things. I have my system in order so I am working from the top down.
55 with your bow/gun and binos separate is tight but doable....I guess Spartan is the right word.

 

[Kevin Dill]

Interesting. I really have no idea how small or underpowered these planes must be. Thank you for the replies.

These planes are physically quite light, but they aren't underpowered in reality. Most are sporting a Lycoming engine and producing enough hp to get them in the air quickly. They will actually handle more payload than their rating suggests, but the FAA doesn't want any plane pushed to its physical payload limit, hence the lower ratings. Another issue is weight/load balance on-board. Excessive tail-weight (which is the cargo area) plays hob with aerodynamics, and is also potentially harder on the tail wheel and externals.

I've heard it said that you wear a Super Cub more than just sitting in it. That's a pretty good statement, considering you can rub your elbows on both walls of the plane at once. I recall telling my wife it was comparable to putting wings on a Harley and using a 4-point harness to strap in.

 

[JPD350]

My one and only trip on a super cub was one of the highlights of my trip, flying low over the mountains of Alaska is a really amazing experience.
I got in my little seat and buckled in, I was literally sucked up to the pilots seat and there was no moving around or fidgeting, it was that moment when I realized that I really underestimated how small the inside of this plane was. In this pic you can see how close you are. I had my phone/camera hooked on my belt which was covered up with clothes, when I finally snapped that I wanted my phone to take pics and video we were already taking off, the whole process of loading up and taking off was really fast, anyway it took me awhile to get the darn phone out, I missed some great pictures of a moose shortly after we took off. I had a FHF bino case and a Diamond chest holster on which worked fine.
So just make sure your phone/camera is in your hand or accessible before you buckle up!