Taylorcraft BC12D Pilot Manual

[Bill Lindeman]

I recently purchased a 1946 BC12D 65hp and will soon be training pilots in it. I am trying to find a POH. I am starting to believe that a POH does not exist for the BC12D. I would really like to know V speeds and the like. Any help would be appreciated.

[3Dreaming]

There is not anything published that I am aware of. So you will need to come up with your own numbers for your airplane. Even using numbers from someone else might not work since there is so much variation in how the instrumentation is install and the associated plumbing.

[Robert Lees]

Hello Bill, you are quite right! There is no POH.

What manual exists simply tells you how to start and stop the engine. No V-speeds whatsoever.

It makes you a better Instructor! Good luck! About 40 ab-initio tailwheel pilots have cut their teeth on one or other of my UK-based Taylorcraft with no damage, so it can't be difficult.

Rob

[Mark Bowden]

Hi Bill,
Great you area teaching in the Tcraft!!

No POH as others have stated. But a bit of thought can set some parameters for you.
Go stall it a lot, do it a lot to find good power off and on break #'s. Plus its fun and your students should learn this. Myself and 1/2 gas, as indicated 43 in cool weather power off is where she breaks. As Mr. Baker mentioned, plumbing may make your mileage vary. Also practice just how little unloading the wing can get you out of stall, but positive rate of climb is best indicator of lift.

Using my 43 for example 1.3Vso is then 56. Which you will find it comes down right nicely but you wouldn't want the breeze to quit on you. However this number (maybe a bit too modern) is based on science thus a good reference point.
How my dad taught me:
70 on down wind, carb heat and one full turn of trim up, ~1500 rpm, ~200 fpm down
65 on base, add one more turn of trim up
60 on final adjust power as required for descent.

Pick your touch down point on entry into the downwind leg.
Do NOT GET FAST, make your numbers, be disciplined. People say Taylorcrafts float, that is because they think they are flying Mooney speeds and are not flying correctly.

Also practice slips, get smooth and if you need short field or find yourself high she will drop very nicely.

Best climb will be 65, 67, maybe cruise climb is 70, you just have to fly your bird and test it.

Even on longer runways you should be able to do 10 or better touch and goes with your students per hour. Keep that pattern tight.

Welcome to the group and we're all here to help.

[astjp2]

The placards were the requirements before a poh was ever needed. So make sure you have a label for all of the required items. No v speeds, but max tach, min oil pressure and max temp needs a redline.

[3Dreaming]

The placards were the requirements before a poh was ever needed. So make sure you have a label for all of the required items. No v speeds, but max tach, min oil pressure and max temp needs a redline.

I'm pretty sure the instruments were not marked originally, but there was a FAA form with operating limitations that needed to be on board the airplane.

[PA1195]

Welcome Bill and thanks for the introduction....your Taylorcraft will be great fun to fly and train others. Get the FAA's records on CD for the plane In there should be a Form ACA-309 with about five pages of info that was generated when it was originally certified regarding Operating Limitations, initial Weight and Balance/Station data, Equipment List, and other data. Some is also available in the TCDS that mimics that Form. Make a copy and put it in the plane along with any current data that supersedes the original.

Here's a Flight Manual for the later F-19. It was certified under the later CAR3 so they required one. It has some speed and operating info. F-19 Owner's manual.pdf

Gary