Patriot Aircraft Super Patriot: A Modern Evolution of the Classic Super Cub

Introduction

The classic Piper Cub lineage remains one of the most beloved airframes in aviation, and plenty of companies have tried to put their own spin on it. Patriot Aircraft, led by Don and Ron Wade out of Alabama, has spent well over a year quietly building their take on the formula. The Super Patriot made its public debut at Sun ‘n Fun, and it arrives with a clear philosophy: keep the wing big, keep the controls friendly, and make the airplane genuinely easy to maintain.

Rather than bolting a bigger engine onto a heavy airframe, the team designed around low wing loading, drawing inspiration from early Super Cub proportions. The result is an airplane that impressed booth visitors with its fit and finish and its reputation for gentle, predictable handling.

Who the Super Patriot Is For

The design brief centered on three goals: low wing loading, pilot friendliness, and mechanic friendliness. That combination points squarely at bush and backcountry pilots, first-time taildragger builders, and anyone who wants a capable aircraft they can actually service themselves.

Demo pilot Cameron Simmons, who brings nine years of taildragger and bush flying experience, describes it as flying much like a classic Cub but with more power, noting that despite being a heavier airplane it performed the same or better than the Cub he currently flies. Early visitors at the debut weekend repeatedly described the airplane as flawless on the controls and pleasant to fly, with no unusual behavior at the stall.

Built to Be Worked On

This is where the Super Patriot arguably breaks the most ground. The fuselage uses a 4130 chromoly welded steel frame, and the wings arrive already built. They use a 14-rib structure rather than the 18- or 19-rib wings of other designs, with squared wingtips and ailerons positioned further outboard.

Access is the headline feature. A large triangular panel under the belly opens the tail section, the cowl side panels and belly panels come off, and panels beneath both pilot and copilot positions remove entirely. No more lying on your back working blind under the instrument panel. Interior panels attach with Velcro, so an annual inspection exposes the main clusters, weldments, and every inch of fuel line. Even the flaperon pulley area on the wing gets a large dedicated inspection panel instead of two tiny rings.

The carbon fiber cowling is another standout. Before paint it weighs just 10.5 pounds, and with quarter-turn fasteners one person can pull it off in about five minutes. The inlet design was engineered specifically for engine cooling airflow, so overheating is less of a concern.

Pilot-Friendly in the Air

On the flight side, the airplane is described as delightful on the controls, stable, and forgiving. It does not break sharply in the stall, which is exactly what you want in an aircraft aimed at pilots still building tailwheel time. The wide visibility and traditional tailwheel configuration carry over the qualities that made the original Cub a dream aircraft for generations of pilots.

Titanium Gear and Acme Suspension

One of the most interesting partnerships is with Acme suspension systems. The Super Patriot uses a new titanium landing gear that is roughly two to three pounds lighter than a standard gear while still incorporating the steps and cross braces you would expect.

The real benefit is in the shocks. The gear is described as landing like a cloud, absorbing even a firm five-foot drop without bouncing. That matters more than it sounds: a bounced landing on the runway can kick an airplane around and cost you control, so the suspension is as much a safety feature as a comfort one.

Buying Advice

Patriot Aircraft offers a builders assist program where you can travel to their shop and complete the aircraft in as little as nine weeks. The next available order time frame was listed as August 1. Pricing depends on options, so prospective buyers are directed to contact the company directly at patriotaircraftusa.com to discuss configurations, costs, and demo flights.

For fit and finish alone, the paint and craftsmanship drew repeated praise at the debut, and the company’s track record on previous anniversary builds suggests that quality is not a one-off.

Conclusion

The Super Patriot does not reinvent the Cub formula so much as refine it: a big low-loaded wing, an honest steel-frame structure, carbon cowl, titanium gear, and serviceability that few kit aircraft can match. If you want a taildragger that flies gently, lands softly, and actually welcomes your wrench, this debut aircraft deserves a close look. Contact Patriot Aircraft for demo flight availability and option pricing.