Super Cub Sweepstakes excites at AirVenture

AOPA announced its Super Cub Sweepstakes July 14 and, because the actual giveaway aircraft is currently undergoing refurbishment in Baker, Montana, brought a stand-in Super Cub to EAA AirVenture to give members a glimpse of what the final product would be like.

Baker Air Service—the company leading the sweepstakes aircraft’s transformation— completely refurbished the stand-in airplane in 1999, but to passersby, the Super Cub’s pristine condition made many think it was the actual aircraft fresh out of the shop. That’s a testament to the quality of work of Baker Air Service’s father-son duo Roger and Darin Meggers.

As two AOPA members walked around the aircraft, they paused to chat about the adventures they would have with the airplane, one of them even thinking about where she’d fly it first. Asked whether they’d fly it first with the tundra tires, amphibious floats, or hydraulic skis that AOPA will be giving it away with, they quickly ruled out skis—because the Super Cub will be given away during the summer of 2019 and there’s not much snow in the area that time of year.

Greg Cameron of Chandler, Arizona, said he’d welcome the arrival of the Sweepstakes Super Cub, and put the floats to use—even in his home state.

“I wouldn’t say no,” Cameron said with a smile, noting that there are a few lakes within reach of his home base. “We’ve got a couple of amphibians in our air park. But the skis… I might have to come up here once in a while to put those to use.”

California pilot Stan Stewart arrived at EAA AirVenture in his Beechcraft Debonair, and said he’d be pleased to bring a Super Cub home.

“I think it would be good. I live right on the Sacramento River, and I have a boat dock,” Stewart said, though he added he’d only dock the Cub during flying days, and find a more protected spot for storage.

Others quipped that they didn’t need to wait for the refurbished Super Cub—they'd be just as happy taking the stand-in home with them right after AirVenture. That one’s already taken, but the sweepstakes Super Cub will be ready for its big debut at the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida, in April 2018. And one lucky pilot will win it in 2019.

AOPA Editor—Web Jim Moore also contributed to this story.