Tech Archive / Disc

[VictorBravo]

After seeing the fantastic photos and restoration information by Rob Lees, Bob Gustafson and several others, it dawned on me that the Taylorcraft foundation should have all this sort of info in an archive, available to the members either online at the club website or on a CD.

This would prevent any "404 file not found" problems if the information were stored only on the original member's website or online storage. If Rob Lees' taylorcraft.org.uk website went down for whatever reason, it would be a tramendous loss for anyone who was doing a restoration and could have benefited from his experience.

As I mentioned in another thread, Bob Gustafson's AOL archive showed me that I had made a mistake on something when I repaired my airplane. Had I been smart enough to see it first, I would have done a better repair.

Archiving and compiling all of this type of information is (presumably) the prime directive of the Taylorcraft Foundation, and should be a priority in my opinion. This is one of the things that (again, presumably) the Foundation's money is supposed to be spent on. It would not cost much money, and the time it takes is certainly well worthwhile to benefit the membership.

My compilation of notes and forum posts (about the spar thickness issue while doing the Harer STC) would hopefully be useful to others for educational purposes, and that is a SMALL contribution compared to the people who have photo-documented a total restoration.

IMHO all the available information should be put into one big archive and made available, as Phase 1. As time and Foundation energies are available, Phase 2 would be to go through this information, edit out or flag anything that is blatantly inaccurate, add factory blueprints and information, etc.

It would require only a quick "boiler-plate" disclaimer that puts this information in an "educational and entertainment purposes" category to be used at the sole discretion and risk of the aircraft owner, etc. etc.

[41TCraft]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

This is a great idea and would be a benefit to all! I am new to the group and just purchased a 1941 project. I am in dire need of this type of information and hoped that the group/foundation was the vehicle for this kind of specific information. I have started saving pictures from the various sites mentioned just in case they are lost. The discussions on this site confirm the information is out there in the group, and it would be shame to lose it over time. I would be willing to assist in anyway I can to work on this project. I have set up some web sites in the past and have worked with Adobe for creating .pdf files, which I think, would be the preferred way to store and retrieve documents.

Paul

[VictorBravo]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

Paul, I suggest yopu look through Rob Lees' website which documents his excellent rebuild, and Bob Gustafson (MULWYK)'s AOL archive of rebuild photos. As I mentioned, I already found things on Bob's archive that I wish I had seen before I did my repair/upgrade, and I used one of Rob's ideas to make a very handy drill jig for doing the spar busings.

In my opinion, you should seriously consider doing one or two upgrades during your rebuild that will keep some important doors open after the plane is finished.Using the method described in Rob's taylorcraft.org.uk site, enlarge the spar root bushings to 11/16" diameter, and upgrade the wing root attach fittings and the outboard strut attach fittings. I suggest you do these upgrades regardless of whether you want to put a bigger engine on. At some time in the future, when you want to put on a larger engine, the most important mods will have already been done and you don't have to disassemble the airplane.

[mulwyk]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

Bill:

Yes. Great idea. There's alot of information out there...but it's scattered and fragmented. Several websites that may not still be available next year or the year after, newsletters molding away in someones closet, the discussion archive right here... Resources that should be brought together, organized, cataloged, indexed, and made available. Big job.

If you'd like to assume the role of editor/organizer I'm sure behind you 100%. I don't have computer skills like Paul but I'll offer help anyway.

Bob Gustafson

[VictorBravo]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

Bill:

Yes. Great idea. (snip) Big job.

If you'd like to assume the role of editor/organizer I'm sure behind you 100%. I don't have computer skills like Paul but I'll offer help anyway.

Bob Gustafson

I think it is the primary job of the Foundation to be the compilers and archivers, and feel it is incumbent on me (and any other experienced Taylorcraft owners who feel a love for the type) to make individual contributions toward the overall archive.

Example: I have compiled a lengthy document regarding a spar thickness discrepancy and other issues that would face anyone else upgrading their T-craft using the Harer STC. I believe in good conscience that I figured it out 95%, using common sense, some detective work, and the knowledge/experience of others in this group.

Any new Taylorcraft owner/restorer who comes along can read through all this information (40 pages worth), and make a more informed decision about doing that upgrade.

Your photo-documentation is another great resource. As I mentioned, if I had seen it before I started doing my upgrade there are a couple of things I would have done differently.

Rob's website is incredibly useful for someone restoring a Taylorcraft.

Those type of things should be our contributions... the Foundation and/or the Club should make the contribution of compiling it and making it available. That is usually the stated purpose of a Type Club and Historical Foundation.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

A-men Bill

[41TCraft]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

If I can get the information I would be willing to organize and archive it. I have the ability to scan hard copy, transfer it to pdf file format, edit video, and burn to either CD or DVD format. Yes it would be a big project ...... but so is a rebuild. From building an RV and now the 1941 project the only way to proceed is one step at a time. If you look to far ahead and think about all the work you would get discouraged very soon ..... so someone has to start!


Paul

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

If you all recall the "prime directive" is on the initial web site www.taylorcraft.org :: Updated March 7, /2003
The Taylorcraft Foundation

The Taylorcraft Foundation is exclusively organized for charitable, educational & scientific purposes and will preserve the history and technical information of the Taylorcraft airplanes. This Foundation is a chartered Ohio Corporation
and has been granted IRS 501(c)(3) status as a non-profit, tax exempt, organization.

You can get an application form that you can print, fill out and send in with your check.
Taylorcraft Foundation, Inc.,
13820 Union Ave. NE
Alliance, Ohio 44601.
Phone: 330 823-1168; fax 330 823-1138.

It does not say distribute to the masses, we have discussed this many times. The information is stored here at the Foundation, many MEMBERS have stopped by and copied what they need and leave. The three previous owners of Taylorcraft have fought me tooth & nail for doing what we are doing...... I do not want to incur any more wrath from the present owner.
HOWEVER I may reconsider and at least place all this stuff on DVD as a back-up and maybe distribute to members in a plain brown wrapper. AS I have stated in the past we are not the Luscombe Foundation, or the Swift Foundation, we are the Taylorcraft Foundation and so far clean from any lawsuits. I will be checking with our legal folks, remember we do have a valid Factory & Type Certificate holder for most of our ships.. USE them!!

[mulwyk]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

Forrest:

Just to clarify your post: The Foundation has lots of information there in Ohio, but the only way to get it is to go to Ohio in person, copy the information and then LEAVE? Is that correct?

Bob Gustafson

[41TCraft]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

Being new to the group and just starting a rebuild project I joined the Foundation (member 673), joined the TOC, poured over the posts and am looking for information in getting the aircraft back to original. I am not interested in clipping wings, adding a bigger engine, electronics.... etc... Is the information available so that I can correctly get the project back in the air and correct all the little discrepancies a 65-year-old airplane accumulates? I was hoping this was the place. I have started some good friendships with members trying to help with pictures and bits & pieces of information but the “official” info would be great. Is the information available to members and how do we obtain it?

Paul

[VictorBravo]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

If you all recall the "prime directive" (snip)
It does not say distribute to the masses,

From the perspective of a grant writer, however, I can assure everyone that the proposal will look a whole lot better to a funding source if the purpose of the program is to make the information available to the flying public. It being known that (whatever you are using their money for) will benefit only a small group of paid members of an organization raises the hair on the back of the check-writer's neck...

One way around the problem with the type certificate holder is to basically include an advertisement for them on the DVD, imploring the reader to check parts availability from the factory before trying to fabricate your own Cotter Pin.

If it will make them happy, I will amend my own little contribution (about the Gilberti spar upgrade) telling the reader to buy the new 11/16" bushings from the factory for $)%(^@$ apiece. If I recall correctly, even Forrest said he didn't have any more of them.

Would the factory REALLY want to get inquiries asking to buy something called "Irv-O-lite" as shown on my STC drawings? I have a 1940 BL-65... I suppose I should call the parts department to order a 6 inch diameter tachometer/oil combo gauge and a couple of wing ribs

All in all, I would suspect that the there are not too many VALID reasons for the factory to be upset over the type of technical archive that we're talking about. The printed newsletter could have the very same type of information over the course of time.

If it were ME in charge of dealing with the factory's complaints, I'd tell them that the more spare parts they offer at a reasonable price (like wing struts and landing gears and such, the less people would be interested in looking elsewhere for maintenance solutions.

Not that I'm a smart ass or anything...

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

For Bob, the initial set up by the Board of Directors of the Foundation was done when we had REAL problems with the Taylorcraft Factory owners at that time filing complaints, threatening lawsuits and being generally nasty to the Foundation and myself in particular. I was agreed that this technical information ,about 95% which had been amassed by Forrest Barber personally, would be available to members.
IF the Taylorcraft Owners CLUB wished to take the responsibility of coming in and disseminating the information that would be fine too. In short it is HERE. Lots of folks have come here, used it, copied it and did leave but they are always welcome to STAY if that means anything. Any new folks feel free to call me and discuss any of this over the phone. Like your letter tells you when you join the TAylorcraft Foundation , I try to be here at least Tues & thurs. afternoons for that purpose. I am repeating , but remember the great off shoot of the Foundation is the web site and discussion group that was developed by Robert Ollerton at his expense and time. The Taylorcraft Owners Club was invited to join and did at NO expense to them.
Call write or wire, thi is the first e-mail over the high speed at my home, soon to be in the office of the Foundation.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

For Paul , e-mail me [email protected] or call. I think you already did,

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

Over the years I have posted somewhere on the site the information that WE have sent out to the factory (factorys) , Univair, Safe-Air, Wag-Aero, etc.. they all have heard our pleas for help. attached are a couple of examples , the first is the one to the factory in 2003-04 then this was clipped and carried to Sun-N-Fun , OSH and any place any one would listen. It probably needs updated . As to STC's THAT is up to the STC holder and you to work out those problems. The factory will disavow any knowledge
The second attachment is posted on the web site I repeat it here for those who may have missed it. Bruce Bixler was just here, it is cold and snowy. I have all my pictures ( Taylorcraft Foundation) of parts and things going onto a DVD. More soon stay tuned! Comments are welcome! and another thing , I guess we all know who TOCPREZ may be ; but I am still old school. I sign as Forrest Barber, Richard Boyer is just that , can we start to use our given name on the posts , I have about 500 folks using it and three times that have lurked about... OR maybe I am wrong on this part of cyberspace too! "Taylormaid" I can deal with

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Tech Archive / Disc

Forrest has a great point. The names or nick names are cute to some I spose but addressing each other with real name or a signiture really goes a long way in fostering solid long term relationships. Some that have posted here in the past may not have been looking for that (I think we can all remember that stormy period!!.. not refering to the current and frequent nick name users) but I still like people to use their name . As such ,it is just an opinion no flames intended or wanted.