House Committee Approves Hanna Aircraft Bill
HARRISBURG – The state House Tourism and Recreational Development Committee has unanimously approved Rep. Mike Hanna’s bill that would designate the Piper J-3 Cub as the official aircraft in Pennsylvania.
The approval came Tuesday morning of this week; the bill (H.B. 1989) could be voted by the full House of Representatives as early as next week.
“This plane is inextricably intertwined in our state’s social and economic history,” said Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre. “So it is only right that it receive the official designation as the Pennsylvania state aircraft.”
Hanna said the Piper J-3 Cub, which was built in Lock Haven, Clinton County, between 1937 and 1947 by Piper Aircraft, became an industry standard for its safety, ease of operation and stability. A favorite of private fliers, it was also vital to the country’s military preparedness and participation in World War II.
Piper J-3 remains today a popular aircraft for fliers and collectors with well-attended annual fly-ins in Lock Haven. This year is the 29th anniversary of the event, which will take place June 17-21.
Hanna said the Piper J-3 Cub is easily recognizable by its fuselage’s famous standard yellow paint, which has come to be known as “Lock Haven Yellow.”