Description
The Hipp’s Superbirds J-3 Kitten is a 3/4 scale version of a Piper Cub. If you want to rock the sky, a J3 Kitten is an excellent way to do it.
The J-3 Kitten and related designs are a family of single-engined, single seat, high wing conventional landing gear-equipped aircraft.
Design and development:
All aircraft in the series have a 4130 steel tube fuselage and tail assembly. The wings are built from wood and both the fuselage and wings are covered with doped aircraft fabric. The engine cowlings are composite. Floats and skis are available. Construction times are estimated as 300 hours from the kit and 800 hours from plans.
The wings of all the aircraft in the series are detachable for transport or storage.
The aircraft in the series are described by reviewer Andre Cliche as being “docile, predictable and forgiving aircraft that can be handled safely by novice pilots.”
The J3 Kitten is a 3/4 scale version of a Piper Cub. The first model flew in 1984. Jessie Anglin, designed the J3 Kitten and J4 Sportster aircraft shown on this page plus the well known Space Walker. Hipp’s Superbirds bought the Co. and has been manufacturing Jessie’s J3 Kitten, J4 Sportster and Super Kitten. Hipp’s added to this line, the Reliant and Super Reliant.
These two are fastback versions of the J3 Kitten. These Aircraft are very docile to handle and are built to last. The frame is made out of 4130 chroмoly steel…superior to alum. aircraft for safety.
J3 Super Kitten (N690JA) is powered by a Rotax 503 dual ignition & carb., oil injected engine. The acceleration is awesome as she will hit 50 mph in about 190′! An Ivo carbon fiber 3 blade, ground adjustable propeller pulls her to a top speed of 110 mph. VNE is 120 mph. Keep in mind the power on stall is 28 mph. That is a 4:1 ratio! The climb rate is about 1000′ per min., which at 45 mph give the appearance of a 45 deg climb out!
We are talking about Super STOL here short take off & landing aircraft. For safety a BRS ballistic parachute is installed. Ballistic parachutes attach to the aircraft frame and lower both the occupants and the aircraft down to safety. The biggest advantage of a ballistic parachute is that it has worked down to 60′ and operates in 9/10ths of second.
Not a bad confidence builder. For navigation I use a Trimble Flight Mate Pro GPS. An Icom radio and Aircom intercom & Blackhawk headset provide excellent communications. 96 Rock keeps me rocking. Air-Touch handles the cell phone.
Currently the Kitten is in for major modifications. The tail is being converted to a fastback design, fuel supply is being doubled, and the landing gear is being stretched 6″.
If you want to rock the sky, a J3 Kitten is an excellent way to do it.
Specifications J-3 Kitten FAR Part 103 ultralight
Length: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
Wingspan: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
Height: 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Wing area: 120 sq ft (11 m2)
Empty weight: 250 lb (113 kg)
Gross weight: 500 lb (227 kg)
Fuel capacity: 5 US gallons (19 litres)
Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 277 single cylinder, two stroke aircraft engine, 28 hp (21 kW)
Maximum speed: 63 mph (101 km/h; 55 kn)
Cruise speed: 60 mph (97 km/h; 52 kn)
Stall speed: 24 mph (39 km/h; 21 kn)
Range: 138 mi; 222 km (120 nmi)
Rate of climb: 750 ft/min (3.8 m/s)
Wing loading: 4.17 lb/sq ft (20.4 kg/m2)
Avionics none
