By Michelle Adserias
Ian Waghorn is the director of TacAero, a tailwheel flight school that specializes in tailwheel endorsements and backcountry flying. Of the 12 airplanes in their fleet, four are Piper Super Cubs. According to Ian, the school relies on these for the heavy lifting and the majority of their operations.
The Super Cub is their plane of choice for most of the tailwheel training they offer.
“It has the perfect balance of stability, allowing student pilots the ability to make a mistake and witness the effects but still be able to correct it without the situation becoming dangerous. Additionally, the bungee suspension leaves nothing to chance and makes tailwheel pilots earn their endorsement,” Ian noted.
The instructors at the flight school have a favorite Piper Super Cub in their holdings: a 1968 PA-18-150, tail number N118BZ. The modifications they’ve made to this aircraft since obtaining it make it an excellent plane for training.
It has an L-21 window conversion that gives the instructor unlimited visibility from the back seat. And the Acme suspension system makes for consistently smooth landings.
Kris, TacAero’s chief instructor shared, “Landing on Acme’s suspension is amazing. You can drop it [the plane] from five feet and it’s like landing on a marshmallow.” Plus, they added a horizontal stabilizer push handle that makes it a breeze to move from place to place.
Other Upgrades
When TacAero purchased N118BZ in 2015, it became the first airplane in the training fleet. The 160 hp engine was in reasonably good condition, but the company decided a full restoration, completed in 2019, was in order — both inside and out. In addition to the window conversion and new suspension system, TacAero put in a new Lycoming O-360 engine and installed a new McCauley propeller. They upgraded the panel with two Garmin G5s, a WAAS-enabled Avidyne IFD440 nav/com, a JPI engine monitor, and an AXP remote transponder (ADS-B in and out).
There are still two items on the wish list. A certified autopilot for this aircraft would make the long and regular coast-to-coast flights much easier on the pilots. And a G3X, according to Ian, would make this Cub’s panel complete.
They also added extended fuel tanks and upgraded to 2,000 pounds gross weight. Finally, to make it backcountry-ready, they fitted it with Alaska Bushwheels. TacAero offers pilots backcountry adventures as part of their business. This Super Cub, along with the others they own, spend about 400 hours in the sky each year.
Along with these functional upgrades, N118BZ got a fresh, new look. All the fabric was replaced, and the interior and exterior got a new paint job. With the restoration complete, the main focus is now maintenance.
“Due to its legacy, all SB’s [service bulletins] are well-defined, with the exception of a few new ones over the last few years. This makes maintenance very predictable.”
Although Piper no longer supports the PA-18 series, there are many vendors who produce the parts needed to keep Super Cubs flying safely. Ian’s go-to for parts is CubCrafters. If he can’t find what he needs there, he contacts Univair, which offers an excellent selection.
The only real drawback Ian has noticed with the Super Cub is inherent in its design. The Super Cub’s flap lever is located where it can get hung up on the pilot’s leg, which can prevent the left aileron from being fully extended, a glitch which can complicate crosswind landings.
Learn to Fly a Tailwheel
Since its inception, TacAero has owned a variety of tailwheel airplanes including its current fleet of Carbon Cubs, Top Cubs, Super Cubs and Gamebirds. They offer certification through a top-notch team of aviation instructors who focus on their tailwheel skills and wish to pass their know-how on to other pilots. Members of the team have logged thousands of hours working to end rhino poaching in South Africa, to fly Alaska’s backcountry, and more.
They bring this expertise and love for adventure into the other branch of the business. In addition to offering flight instruction, TacAero organizes backcountry adventures for their member pilots. From Alaska’s glaciers and Utah’s red rock buttes, to remote airstrips and island destinations in the Bahamas, tailwheel pilots can enjoy unique expeditions with maximum confidence and minimum hassles. A CFI goes on each trip, ready to help if the need arises. And TacAero handles all the logistics — paperwork, meals, accommodations, and more. The pilots can truly relax and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow adventurers.
Although Idaho has always been a well-loved destination, Ian noted it’s becoming too commercialized to offer a true backcountry experience. TacAero has switched to leading more trips to Utah’s hidden places. Unfortunately, the Bureau of Land Management published a draft plan to revoke aircraft access to some of these airstrips. If you’d like to be a voice to keep these forays into remote places going, you can learn how to support the Utah Backcountry Pilots Association at: utahbackcountrypilots.org.
One of Ian’s favorite memories is of their 2023 expedition to Florida. There were 11 Super Cubs in the entourage, flying along the Florida Keys and the Miami coastline. Ian brought up the tail in our featured plane. It left quite an impression!
“Being able to witness the ocean life in the crystal-clear waters below and the gaggle of Cubs ahead was a truly memorable experience.”
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