WTB - 85hp BC12-D

[Windknot]

I'm looking for an 85hp BC12-D daily flyer, not looking for a show winner. Ugly is OK, projects are not.

My mission will be 90% solo, flying with a bunch of Rans guys, 0.5% with the wife and the other 9.5% I'll leave to my imagination. Would prefer the 1280# Wing STC, but can live without it. All AD's, mods will need to have proper paperwork/signoffs.

I'll know it when I see it, I've been kicking tires for a while now.

If you know of one, or have one, lemmie know.

Sean in Michigan.

[jim cooper]

Re: WTB - 85hp BC12-D

There is an 85 bc12d at my airport. I will inquire if it is for sale. I was looking at YouTube video of a fellow chuck Yeager making landings in a t craft! I was amazed at his landings! See anything wrong with his final approach?! I sure did! JC

[Windknot]

Re: WTB - 85hp BC12-D

There is an 85 bc12d at my airport. I will inquire if it is for sale. I was looking at YouTube video of a fellow chuck Yeager making landings in a t craft! I was amazed at his landings! See anything wrong with his final approach?! I sure did! JC

Jim - thanks!! And it's CHUNK Yeager...not Chuck. Always looking for constructive criticism - the day I stop learning is the day I stop flying!!!

[jim cooper]

Re: WTB - 85hp BC12-D

My most humble opinion:The T craft is TOO LOW on final. It's an airliner approach, flat and slow. Dangerous. If the engine gets a hair in its throat on final the airplane will not make it over those trees. It will probably be in them instead or thru the roof of a house. The field is LONG so why take a chance? I would be higher in the pattern, able to make the field from ANY point in the pattern if the engine quit, as taught. If the field were 1000 feet I would use a different approach but here a B 25 could land easily. I think a lot of instructors today depend far too much on the engine and train these types of approaches. When I learned in 54 this type of flying was not acceptable by the instructor. T crafts slip really well and land short if practiced. Only my own opinion so others should add their views. Best, JC

[Windknot]

Re: WTB - 85hp BC12-D

I shall not make any assumption as to whether my instructor agrees or not with your views. I on the other had DO agree with you. I like keeping as much altitude as I can for as long as I can. I LOVE slipping in, leveling back out setting my flare and then pinning the wheels down on touchdown....and If I cant get it down (gotta slow it down to get it down), I've got ZERO problems doing a go-around. The videos I've posted are all early in the training cycle and I have advanced/improved since then. Thanks for the input. Like I said, I'm always looking for constructive criticism!!!

Oh...and let the owners of the 85 on your field know that I'd love it and pet it and hug it and squeeze it and I'd treat it right for a VERY long time.

Sean

[Windknot]

Re: WTB - 85hp BC12-D

Still Looking for an 85hp BC12-D -

Dennis Bute is the proud new owner of the last one I looked at. So I'm Still looking!!!

Sean

[jim cooper]

Re: WTB - 85hp BC12-D

The 85 t craft on my field is not for sale. You might also consider the 7 bcm champ. I had one in very nice shape but it only had the 12-13 gallon tank , no wing tanks. Whoever rebuilt it really screwed up. I was continually running low on gas at inopportune times so I sold it. Fun to fly, easy to fly, great visibility. Mine had a starter, transponder, and transceiver. Sold it for 33,500.00 seven years ago. Also had McCauley prop and 560 hrs.smoh. Good luck, JC

[Windknot]

Re: WTB - 85hp BC12-D

Jim - thanks for checking on that one for me.

Champs are also on my radar, but I've found that they are often upgraded without STC, field approval or in compliance with the type certificate....or they're seriously overpriced for their condition.

Besides - I do love having my wife sitting next to me so I can see the look of terror on her face versus having her sit behind me and claw the back of my head.

Sean

[Jim Hartley]

Re: WTB - 85hp BC12-D

Hi Sean, my airplane has the 1280# upgrade. I like the extra strengthening. Maybe not necessary but I like it.

I have owned my airplane for the last 10 years. When I purchased it I did not have it weighed. I did have it weighed when it was substantially damaged in a wind storm a couple of years ago and to my surprise it was 74 pounds heavier than the equipment list/weight and balance documents from twenty years ago.

I am glad I spent a few hundred dollars for a new weight and balance report. It is in binder form for home reference along with laminated sheets of the same for the aircraft. It shows sample weight and balance scenerios on floats,skis and wheels. the laminated sheets allow you to work weight and balance and to erase to do again. I have a new updated equipment list as well. Very neat and if I ever get ramp checked it is straight forward and easy for Feds to comprehend.

Jim

[M Towsley]

Re: WTB - 85hp BC12-D

Jim,

I had a really neat worksheet with my first BC-12, but when I sold it I sent them along with it. Would you mind sharing your worksheet for on the wheels? Thanks!

[Jim Hartley]

Re: WTB - 85hp BC12-D

Marty,here is what I have. My numbers were already plugged as you can see. Pretty straight forward. Did you have something different?

Jim

[M Towsley]

Re: WTB - 85hp BC12-D

Thanks, Jim. I don't remember exactly how my worksheet looked, it has been many years ago. I also had a different one for my L-2 as having tandem seating was a little more critical fore and aft than my BC-12. I sent that one with my L-2. I really wasn't planning on buying another Taylorcraft, if you cannot tell. Again, thanks!