Can You Fly a Piper Cub J-3 at Night

[Joegoersch]

I was just wondering if you can fly a Piper Cub at night. Presuming it has either an engine which allows and alternator/generator or a stand-alone battery good enough to power anti-collision lights.

Obviously it wasn't certified for night VFR back in the day...and I'm also assuming the pilot is not flying it as a light sport but rather as a Private Pilot or better...

 

[Kelvin]

No. You'll die.

 

[Salty]

No. You'll die.

he's already dead for even thinking about it.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

As long as you meet the requirement for night VFR equipment, sure. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?pitd=20170830&node=se14.1.91_1205&rgn=div8

 

[MauleSkinner]

Can you, or may you?

I suspect the J-3 was certified under Aernautical Bulletin 7A, and I don’t think that had any specific requirements for night operation. So as long as you have the lights, etc, required under Part 91, whatever the power source, you should be legal.

 

[James331]

Well if you can reach enough speed for the wing to produce enough lift to counter the weight... airplane doesn't know it's nighttime

 

[N3368K]

I was just wondering if you can fly a Piper Cub at night.

No, because I have a NO NIGHT FLIGHT prohibition on my pilot plastic card thingy. I can only fly my Cub during daylight.

 

[Joegoersch]

Sorry. I meant can a J-3 be legally flown at night if it otherwise meets the requirements of CFR 91.205

 

[mscard88]

Sorry. I meant can a J-3 be legally flown at night if it otherwise meets the requirements of CFR 91.205

Sure

 

[Shepherd]

Yes. It is legal to fly a J3 at night.

 

[jmp470]

Yes, as long as it meets the above posts requirements. But, I heard they turn into pumpkins 1 hour after Sunset.

 

[champ driver]

It's legal, but originally the J-3's had a A65-8 with no provision for a generator on the accessory case. You would have to have some kind of battery power on that model of engine.

 

[gkainz]

No, because I have a NO NIGHT FLIGHT prohibition on my pilot plastic card thingy. I can only fly my Cub during daylight.

but if it's night, and dark, and you can't see the placard, then you're all good!

 

[MauleSkinner]

It's legal, but originally the J-3's had a A65-8 with no provision for a generator on the accessory case. You would have to have some kind of battery power on that model of engine.

...or a wind generator.

To generate electricity from wind, not to generate wind.

 

[N3368K]

but if it's night, and dark, and you can't see the placard, then you're all good!

I have it memorized.

 

[Joegoersch]

Would you then be required to have a transponder flying where it's required if you had a wind generator?

...or a wind generator.

To generate electricity from wind, not to generate wind.

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[MauleSkinner]

Would you then be required to have a transponder flying where it's required if you had a wind generator?

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IIRC, the transponder rule has to do with original certification, not mods... but you'll probably want to look that up if you want to know for sure.

 

[mscard88]

...or a wind generator.

To generate electricity from wind, not to generate wind.

I can generate wind, uh, break wind, whatever ya call it.

 

[MauleSkinner]

I can generate wind, uh, break wind, whatever ya call it.

intestino-thermal power?

 

[mscard88]

intestino-thermal power?

Is that what it's called? No wonder I couldn't remember.

 

[pigpenracing]

I land my J-3 lots of time right when it gets dark. One day I will stay up and do a night flight.

 

[SoCal RV Flyer]

... airplane doesn't know it's nighttime

Well, MOST airplanes...

 

[Dana]

Would you then be required to have a transponder flying where it's required if you had a wind generator?

No, the transponder (and ADS-B out) requirement only applies to aircraft with an engine driven electrical system.