Dakota Cub Aircraft

What Dakota Cub Aircraft does

Dakota Cub Aircraft, Inc. is a privately held, FAA-PMA-approved manufacturer founded in 1993 and based in Valley Springs, South Dakota. The company designs, manufactures, and sells direct-replacement parts for fabric-winged Piper aircraft (J3, J5, PA-11, PA-12, PA-18, PA-19, PA-20, and PA-22), with a catalog of more than 490 products spanning wing assemblies, ribs, ailerons, flaps, spars, fuselages, fuel system components, tail parts, control systems, and engine mounts. Core technology is based on CNC-cut and bent 4130N tubing and CNC-machined billet aluminum components manufactured with heavy-duty precision fixtures. Dakota Cub also holds multiple Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for improved components, including high-pressure brake master cylinders, high-flow gascolators, upgraded fuel selector valves, high-visibility fuel sight gauges, and a proprietary leading-edge slot wing design.

The company monetizes through three primary streams: (1) one-time sale of FAA-PMA direct replacement parts and STC'd improved components via a Shopify e-commerce storefront, with wing assemblies priced at $6,800-$14,500, fuselages starting at $20,600, and individual parts ranging from approximately $2.24 to over $1,900; (2) sale of Super 18-160 and Super 18-180 experimental amateur-built kit aircraft for the backcountry aviation market; and (3) FAA-authorized repair station services (certificate #0980989) for repairs, rebuilds, and restorations of fabric-wing Piper aircraft. Customers are primarily individual aircraft owners, experimental builders, and FAA-certified repair stations. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the website, supplemented by local pickup at the Valley Springs facility and an annual trade show presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (booths #384 & #385). A strategic partnership with Super 18 LLC links Dakota Cub's leading-edge slot wing design to the certified Super 18-180 aircraft.

Name

Dakota Cub Aircraft

Legal name

Dakota Cub Aircraft, Inc.

Website

https://dakotacub.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dakota Cub Aircraft, founded in 1993 and based in Valley Springs, South Dakota, manufactures FAA-PMA replacement parts and STC'd improved components for fabric-winged Piper aircraft, sells Super 18 kit aircraft, and operates an FAA-certified repair station, serving individual owners, experimental builders, and repair stations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aircraft Replacement Parts

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aircraft Manufacturing (336411)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fixed-Wing Aircraft Kits & Experimental Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAJ)

Keywords

• Aircraft replacement parts
• FAA-PMA approved parts
• Fabric wing components
• Piper aircraft parts
• Experimental kit aircraft

Headquarters

HQ city

Valley Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. FAA-PMA Parts Sales: Direct replacement parts for fabric-winged Piper aircraft (J3, J5, PA-11, PA-12, PA-18, PA-19, PA-20, PA-22). Parts include wing assemblies, ribs, ailerons, flaps, spars, fuel system components, fuselage parts, control systems, tail parts, and more. Over 490 products cataloged.
2. Kit Aircraft Sales: Super 18-160 and Super 18-180 kit aircraft for experimental amateur-built market. Kits include wings, fuselage, struts, control systems, fuel system, engine mount, and various components.
3. FAA Repair Station Services: FAA-authorized repair station (#0980989) specializing in fabric-wing Piper aircraft repairs, rebuilds, and restorations.
4. Apparel and Merchandise: Branded t-shirts, stickers, and patches sold through the website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dakota Cub Aircraft manufactures and sells FAA-PMA approved direct-replacement parts for fabric-winged Piper aircraft (J3, J5, PA-11, PA-12, PA-18, PA-19, PA-20, PA-22), offering over 490 cataloged products spanning wing assemblies, fuselages, ribs, ailerons, flaps, spars, fuel system components, tail parts, control systems, and engine mounts. The company also produces Super 18-160 and Super 18-180 experimental kit aircraft for amateur builders, holds multiple Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) for improved performance parts, and operates an FAA-authorized repair station (#0980989) for fabric-wing Piper aircraft repairs, rebuilds, and restorations.

Product overview

Dakota Cub Aircraft is a manufacturer and supplier of FAA-PMA'd replacement parts for fabric-winged Piper aircraft, offering a comprehensive portfolio of over 490 products across wing parts, fuselage parts, fuel systems, tail parts, control systems, and engine components. The company specializes in direct-replacement parts for Piper models J3, J5, PA-11, PA-12, PA-18, PA-19, PA-20, and PA-22, along with complete wing assemblies, wing kits, and full fuselages. In addition to parts manufacturing, Dakota Cub offers two kit aircraft models (Super 18-160 and Super 18-180) for experimental-amateur built aircraft, operates an FAA-certified repair station for fabric-wing Piper aircraft, and is involved with the certified Super 18-180 aircraft through Super 18 LLC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Super 18: A backcountry aircraft kit model line, including Super 18-160 and Super 18-180 variants, offered by Dakota Cub Aircraft.

Products and services

• Wing Parts (Wings, Ribs, Ailerons, Flaps, Spars, Drag Struts, Leading & Trailing Edges) Comprehensive range of wing components including complete wing assemblies, structural ribs, aileron and flap assemblies, spars, drag struts, and leading/trailing edges for Piper J3, J5, PA-11, PA-12, PA-18, PA-19, PA-20, and PA-22 aircraft. Sold to individual Piper aircraft owners, repair stations, and amateur builders.
• Fuselage Parts (Interior Panels, Cowling, Firewall, Misc Panels) Complete fuselage components including interior panels, cowling parts, firewalls, floor panels, side panels, throttle control panels, and metal headliners for standard and widebody fuselages. Sold to Piper aircraft owners, repair stations, and amateur builders.
• Fuel System Parts (Fuel Tanks, Valves, Gauges, Gascolators) Complete fuel system components including 18-gallon and 24-gallon fuel tanks, STC'd fuel valve assemblies, STC'd fuel sight gauges, high-flow gascolators, tank straps, and fuel caps for various Piper aircraft models. Sold to Piper aircraft owners, repair stations, and amateur builders.
• Tail Parts (Rudders, Stabilizers, Elevators, Tail Brace Wires) Tail section components including rudder assemblies (compliant with AD 2025-02-11), vertical fin assemblies, stabilizer assemblies, elevator assemblies, tail brace wire assemblies, and associated hardware. Sold to Piper aircraft owners, repair stations, and amateur builders.
• Control System & Brake Parts Flight control and braking components including STC'd extended high-pressure brake master cylinders, brake pedals, rudder pedals, torque tube assemblies, stabilizer jack screws, trim pulleys, and control cables. Sold to Piper aircraft owners, repair stations, and amateur builders.
• Powerplant Parts (Engine Mounts) Engine mounting solutions including FAA-PMA approved dynafocal engine mounts and conical engine mounts for Lycoming engines, including those paired with Svenn's Aviation STC. Sold to Piper aircraft owners, repair stations, and amateur builders.
• Super 18-160 Kit Aircraft Complete experimental amateur-built kit aircraft featuring Lycoming O-320 (160 hp) engine, 175 sq ft wing area, 2 seats, 46-gallon fuel capacity, designed for backcountry operations with 420 ft takeoff roll. Sold to amateur aircraft builders for personal construction.
• Super 18-180 Kit Aircraft High-performance experimental amateur-built kit aircraft with Lycoming O-360 (180 hp) engine, 2,300 lbs gross weight, 1,050 lbs useful load, 700 fpm rate of climb, designed for maximum backcountry capability. Sold to amateur aircraft builders for personal construction.
• FAA Certified Repair Station Services FAA-authorized repair station (#0980989) specializing in fabric-wing Piper aircraft repairs, rebuilds, and restorations with competitive shop rates, easy access to parts, and experienced technicians familiar with Super Cubs. Sold to individual aircraft owners and other repair stations needing specialized fabric-wing Piper expertise.
• Dakota Cub Apparel Branded merchandise including Dakota Cub t-shirts, stickers, and patches featuring company branding. Sold to aviation enthusiasts, customers, and brand supporters.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% increase in gascolator capacity over original Piper design
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Super 18 LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuper 18 LLC manufactures the certified Super 18-180 aircraft incorporating Dakota Cub's leading edge slot wing design. Dakota Cub gained significant engineering knowledge through cooperation with Super 18 LLC and used this experience to enter the experimental kit aircraft market with their own Super 18 kit models.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Zenith Aircraft Company: Kit aircraft manufacturer producing STOL and cruiser models for the experimental market. Competes broadly in the experimental kit aircraft category that Dakota Cub's Super 18 kits address.
• Texas Aeroplastics: Specializes in Piper windshields and other formed plastic/interior components for Piper aircraft. Adjacent product overlap with Dakota Cub's fuselage and interior parts offerings.
• Van's Aircraft: Leading manufacturer of experimental kit aircraft (RV series). Overlaps with Dakota Cub in the experimental/amateur-built aircraft market, though targeting a different mission profile.

Direct peers

• Legend Aircraft: Produces Legend Cub and Super Legend kit aircraft for the experimental market, overlapping with Dakota Cub's Super 18 kit offering in targeting Piper-derived backcountry aircraft enthusiasts.
• Wag-Aero: Manufacturer and PMA parts supplier for Piper PA-14, PA-15, PA-16, PA-17, PA-20, and PA-22 aircraft. Directly comparable in providing replacement parts and kits for Piper general aviation aircraft.
• Univair Aircraft Corporation: Long-established FAA-PMA parts manufacturer supporting Piper, Aeronca, Taylorcraft, and other light general aviation aircraft. Directly comparable to Dakota Cub as a PMA parts specialist serving the same fabric-wing Piper customer base.
• Cub Crafters: Manufacturer of Carbon Cub and Top Cub experimental kit aircraft with FAA-certified variants, specializing in the same backcountry/short-field Piper-derived market that Dakota Cub addresses with its Super 18 kits and parts.
• Stoddard Aero: Specializes in Piper aircraft parts and service, including many overlapping part categories with Dakota Cub. Competes in the same Piper fabric-wing and general aviation replacement-parts market.
• Airframes Alaska: Specializes in PA-18 Super Cub modifications, rebuilds, and parts, with a strong backcountry/STC focus similar to Dakota Cub. Directly competes in the Super Cub parts and certified aircraft conversion market.

Broad incumbents

• Aircraft Spruce & Specialty: Large distributor of general aviation parts, supplies, and pilot gear serving a wide range of aircraft including Piper. Competes indirectly as a broad-line alternative for Piper owners shopping for parts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DakotaCub
• Instagraminstagram.com/dakotacubaircraft
• Xx.com/dakota_cub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dakota Cub Aircraft