The Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser is an American three-seat, high wing, single engine conventional landing gear-equipped light aircraft that was produced by Piper Aircraft between 1946-48. The PA-12 was an upgraded and redesignated Piper J-5.

1946 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser NC86UF (sn 121596) Image taken September 08, 2007 Hood River Ken Jernstedt Airport, Oregon USA (4S2) Photo Copyright & Thanks to Phil Gilston

Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser N52TS (sn 12-1454) WR Aviation Inc. PA-12 with Tundra Tires Picture taken September 10, 2004 Stigler Municipal Airport, Oklahoma USA (F84) Photo Copyright & Thanks to Jarrod Wilkening

Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser TF-AKK (cn 12-3340) Photo taken June 10, 2004 Mosfellsbaer Tungubakkar Airport, Iceland (BIMS) Photo Copyright & Thanks to Sigurdur Benediktsson

Development

When Piper dropped the J- designation system in exchange for the PA- system, the J-5C became the PA-12 "Super Cruiser". The earlier J-5s had been powered by either a 100 hp (75 kW) Lycoming O-235 or a 75 hp (56 kW) Lycoming O-145. The newer PA-12 model was initially powered by a 108 hp (81 kW) Lycoming O-235-C engine, was fully cowled, and had a metal spar wing with two 19 gallon fuel tanks. A Lycoming O-235-C1 engine rated at 115 hp (86 kW) for take-off was optional.

The PA-12 is approved for wheels, skis, floats and also for crop spraying.

Cockpit accommodation is provided for the pilot in the front seat and two passengers in the rear seat, side-by-side. Unlike the J-3 Cub the PA-12 is flown solo from the front seat.

Operational use

Many PA-12s have been modified with larger engines. Wing flaps and a metal-skin fuselage can be added as modifications.

In 1947, two PA-12s flew around the world, and the worst mechanical failure they suffered was a cracked tailwheel.

Many PA-12s are still flown and the type is commonly seen in North America. In November 2009 there were still 1688 registered in the USA and 229 in Canada.

Variants

• Piper PA-12

Original model type certified 24 March 1947, with a gross weight of 1,750 lb (794 kg) in the Normal Category and 1,500 lb (680 kg) in the Utility Category

• Piper PA-12S

Second model type certified 11 August 1948, with 1,838 lb (834 kg) gross weight, Normal Category only

Specifications (PA-12)

General characteristics
Crew: One, pilot
Capacity: Two passengers
Length: 22 ft 10 in (6.96 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft 5.5 in (10.81 m)
Height: 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Empty weight: 950 lbs (432 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 1,750 lbs (795 kg)
Powerplant: 1× Lycoming O-235 4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 100 hp (75 kW)
Propeller Diameter: 76 in (1.93 m)
Wing Chord: 63 in (1.60 m)
Baggage Capacity: 41 lb (18.7 kg)

Performance
Cruise speed: 91 knots (105 mph, 169 km/h)
Stall speed: 42 knots (49 mph, 79 km/h)
Range: 521 nm (600 mi, 965 km)
Service ceiling: 12,600 ft (3,840 m)
Rate of climb: 600 ft/min (3.05 m/s) at sea level
Wing loading: 9.8 lb/ft² (47.9 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 17.5 hp/lb (10.74 W/kg)
Min. Take-off Run: 720 ft (220 m)
Min. Landing Roll: 470 ft (143 m)