L2 for instruction?

[Acroeric]

Couple of questions for the L2 guys. . . .

My oldest daughter and several of her friends want to learn to fly. I have agreed to teach them through the sport pilot level and am looking at various airplanes to do it in. I have looked at Cubs (too small front seat), Champs (never really liked them), BC12-D's(usually no R/S brakes) etc and have just now started to look at the possibility of a L-2.

Any thoughts on using a tandem Tcraft for basic instruction? I've never flown one but I do have +/-1000 hours in other models of the Tcraft. Do they comply with LSA limits? Are they good short field airplanes?

Thanks in advance.

[M Towsley]

Re: L2 for instruction?

Hey Eric,

The A and B models of L-2 would comply for Sport Pilot. The M has a 1325 gross so it is out as a Sport Pilot aircraft. Unfortunately there are more M's out there than A's or B's. As you know I owned an L-2B and flew as a Sport Pilot. I think it is a great airplane for instruction and the visibility is fantastic compared to the BC-12's. Plus having a stick seems more intuitive to flying than a yoke. Good luck and I will keep my eye open for one, just sold mine to a nice gentleman in Pennsylvania who seems to be having great fun with it. Regarding short field, if it had an 85 hp engine in it it might, but with a 65, I don't think so.

[Acroeric]

Re: L2 for instruction?

Thanks Marty- after having a BC12-D with an 85 I am pretty much set on that combination. . . .. Let me know if you run across anything.

[Chet Peek]

Re: L2 for instruction?

Eric, I agree with Marty, the L-2, (in my case the DC-65) would be a great airplane for instruciton. Very gentle, flies like a cross between a Luscombe and a Cub. Come by sometime and you can try mine out for youself.

Chet

[Acroeric]

Re: L2 for instruction?

Chet- Great to hear from you! Nice article about your induction into the hall of fame.

Keep an eye out for a nice one with a C85!

[Ragwing nut]

Re: L2 for instruction?

I have lots of time in 85hp L-2M and I often prefer to fly the L-2 over the "B". Other than a small rear seat that is not prone to long distance flying, I think one would make a decent trainer. I often would sit in the back just to fly (with someone up front of course) simply because the feel of the two seating positions if different.

Mike

[Forrest Barber]

Re: L2 for instruction?

I am of course bias ; however the Model D ( L-2's) Taylorcraft is a very fine trainer , that is what they were designed to do for the CPTP program. Do it, roomy, warm , handle nice ( I think) and user friendly.

[Acroeric]

Re: L2 for instruction?

Ok- Now the fun part. . . . . .Help me find a nice one with a C85. . . . .

I was looking at Cubs- I like them but the front seat doesn't work for me plus they are very expensive.

I think I am going to focus my search on any of the Tandem Tcrafts.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: L2 for instruction?

Regarding teaching in an L2:
1. Very good with 85HP.
2. Touchy on landing... but not any more so than a BC.
3. Tandem set up with greenhouse lets you clear every turn by looking up instead of under the wing.
4. Barnstormers.com had a L2 for sale last week. Check it out.
Love my L2. Although I haven't flown it in 6 weeks. Too cold in Denver.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

[M Towsley]

Re: L2 for instruction?

Eric,

I know of all people you already know this, but as I stated earlier, if you are going to give Sport Pilot instruction do not get an 'M' for the obvious weight reasons. I will definitely keep an eye open for you.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: L2 for instruction?

Eric;
The L2 I mentioned is gone. But this seems like a sharp deal on a BC12 in Barnstormers today.

http://www.barnstormers.com/cat.php?PHPSESSID=c945d4ac270fa46605dc7a691cd74924

0-200 engined BC12 for $27,500. I don't know the airplane or the builder... but you can check it out.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: L2 for instruction?

Eric;
Here's a L2 on Barnstormers. Its a 65HP/DCO- but it still looks cute.

http://www.barnstormers.com/cat.php?PHPSESSID=f1811f399911e829566d44d4229b327f

Good Luck;
ED OBRIEN

[T.Taylor]

Re: L2 for instruction?

One of the L-2M's on Barnstormers was certificated at 1320 lbs. I e-mailed the owner and he explained how he got it done, it was all yellow the pic's of the logbooks were interesting, one year is had an annual inspection and was found unairworthy, showed TT, the next year it was unairworthy with an increase in TT, that's funny, T.

[SteveR]

Re: L2 for instruction?

I did my tailwheel training, and then spent several more hours in an L2. Great plane to fly and learn in, I really miss it.

[Marv]

Re: L2 for instruction?

NOTHING TO DO WITH tAYLORCRAFT, but if you learned to fly in a coffin with wings that airplne will be special to you and if you are still alive years later, no dought you will want to fly that coffin again even if you know better. That first taste of flight memories will always be there and a fond memorie. Marv