Piper J-3 Cub vs Aeronca Champ
The Piper J-3 Cub and Aeronca Champ are the two classic 1940s fabric taildragger trainers — the J-3 is the iconic tandem Cub (solo from the rear); the Champ is the Aeronca rival (solo from the front) with better forward visibility.
Live Market Snapshot
Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily
- For sale now
- 26
- Median asking
- $63,100
- Range
- $34,050–$88,500
- Listed on 2+ marketplaces
- 7
- Source marketplaces
- 8
- Model years available
- 1939–1947
No active listings right now.
Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.
Safety Record
Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.
| NTSB (1982–now) | Piper J-3 Cub | Aeronca Champ |
|---|---|---|
| All events | 3 | 7 |
| Serious | 0 | 0 |
| Fatal | 0 | 1 |
| Fatalities | 0 | 2 |
| % Fatal | 0% | 14% |
Full Specs Comparison
| Spec / Model | Piper J-3 Cub | Aeronca Champ |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Price Range | $34,050 – $88,500 | — |
| Category | Single Engine Piston | — |
| Model Specifications | ||
| Seats | 2 | — |
| Cruise Speed | 65 kts (120 km/h) | 74 kts (137 km/h) |
| Range | 191 nm (354 km) | 230 nm (426 km) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,220 lbs (553 kg) | 1,220 lbs (553 kg) |
| Engines | 1 x Piston | — |
Which Should You Buy: Piper J-3 Cub or Aeronca Champ?
Bottom line: Choose the J-3 Cub for the most iconic vintage-trainer name and the largest classic support community. Choose the Aeronca Champ for better solo visibility (front seat), comparable handling and often lower acquisition cost — a connoisseur's classic alternative.
Pick the J-3 Cub if…
Pick the Champ if…
- Faster cruise — 74 kts vs 65 kts.
- Longer range — 230 nm vs 191 nm.
Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.