Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

[LRM]

I am looking at a Taylorcraft in Ontario. Is there a contact that I should consider to help inspect the plane so I avoid a mistake. Any help would be appreciated. Zero time on a Taylorcraft, zero time on tailwheel and getting back to flying after 18 year break to raise family.

[LRM]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

I am still on the fence on this Taylorcraft. It is Canadian registered so that saves some potential unknowns when it comes to importing. Does a 85 hp generally price higher even though there is no electric system?

http://vacations.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-other-1951-Taylorcraft-W0QQAdIdZ569504141

Could someone with experience just give me a few things to consider on this?

[senior]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

Yes a 85hp is worth more + a whole lot more fun to fly !

PM sent

[LRM]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

Thanks senior.
I replied to your PM but not sure if it got delivered.
In any case, if you have a contact you can PM the information and I will check back.

[LRM]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

I did a bit of inquiry on the above Taylorcraft but from what I could determine it may be a bit out of my price range but was close. Higher airframe time than many of the advertised planes, 15 years since engine OH it was a 85hp. It had a recover in 1999 but has needed the wings recovered since , one in 09 and one in 11.
If hangared why would the fabric not last longer?
It did give me a chance to look through the forum here and learn a lot more about Taylorcraft and I also got help from a forum member so that was much appreciated.
I was prepared to have someone look at it closer if the distance between my suggestion and the asking were closer but still too far between until I learn more. The person I called to look at it was very familiar with the plane and suggested a price range much lower than the asking.
What I wondered if there were any other Taylorcraft on the market in Canada that anyone knows about.

[ricky]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

Hi,Well im from manitoba, you need to find out if the t-craft is in owner-mantance,as the faa doesn't allow that type plane into the usa,plane would have to be deregulated an bought back to CofA STANDARD,best way to find out go into dot regitration on the plane an it will show if in owner maintance or not,you can look on ad on that plane,in owner-maintance
there be no ad on that plane,then it in owner-maintance.Good Luck
Rick

[LRM]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

I don't think it was owner maintenance. However, I am Canadian and was trying to find something in Canada as I heard that importing to Canada could be a real problem if the American paperwork was not meticulous . Also, I don't know if Canada allows aircraft with field approved mods. I would look closer in USA but it adds a bit of complexity to the transaction.
What is your thoughts on the owner maintenance category ricky? I don't know much about it.

[LRM]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

Still learning about the Taylorcraft.
I am trying to get a better idea on what goes into fair value.
I see another Canadian registered Taylorcraft for sale

http://vacations.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-other-1947-Taylorcraft-aircraft-airplane-W0QQAdIdZ564687787

This one has less total time and appears to have a new 75 hp engine.
I have not called on this one as I am learning I don't know what I don't know.
Does everyone flying a Taylorcraft need a mechanic friend or be a rebuilder.
I would like to obtain one that would not be down for repairs during the summer flying time.

Comparing the 2 Canadian offerings on this thread, the first has an 85 hp low hr but considerable time since it was OH .
The second appears to be a new engine but is the 75 hp a certified engine for the Taylorcraft?.
Do I value the 85 hp more than the 75.

Both are too far from me to kick tires so how do I shop for a plane?
Is the asking price a sellers firm price is there an expected bargaining room?

Is it realistic to expect these older planes to be trouble free or is part of the process to expect breakdowns?

Should I even be trying to compare aircraft from what an ad says.

[lfries]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

I don't think you will find the 75 on the type certificate. Since its more than a 10% increase in HP there should be an authorization, in the US form 337 or the installation is limited to 65hp. (tach markings are not changed from the 65)

[LRM]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

From reading here I gathered that the 75 hp was not typical but it is new and should be reliable over an older engine.
This is what I mean when I say I don't know what I don't know

Now maybe Canada allows this or it was approved here and is no big deal. These are the things I need to better understand
as I search.

[Joe cooper]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

From reading here I gathered that the 75 hp was not typical but it is new and should be reliable over an older engine.
This is what I mean when I say I don't know what I don't know

Now maybe Canada allows this or it was approved here and is no big deal. These are the things I need to better understand
as I search.

I would speak to a good mechanic up your way, familiar with tube and fabric aircraft. Get his input. 28 grand is a lot of money for a 75 hp unless it was JUST redone completely and is like new including the covering. What is it covered with? who did it? Who did the engine? How about the struts? On and on. Has it always been hangared since rebuild? I personally would buy one closer to home that you can go look at and pay the above mentioned mechanic to go with you. For twenty eight I'd want an excellent rebuild with an 85 hp and a starter. I've owned 2 that were top quality rebuilds but with 65 hp engines. They both sold for 24500.00 each . One had won a trophy or two. Hand proping is becoming a lost art and a pain in the a$$ in winter especially. ( the person selling it will usually tell you .."...oh it starts on the first pull." .....which is usually a fairy tale). Buyer beware! The 85 hp makes it a much better performer!

[Joe cooper]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

I would speak to a good mechanic up your way, familiar with tube and fabric aircraft. Get his input. 28 grand is a lot of money for a 75 hp unless it was JUST redone completely and is like new including the covering. What is it covered with? who did it? Who did the engine? How about the struts? On and on. Has it always been hangared since rebuild? I personally would buy one closer to home that you can go look at and pay the above mentioned mechanic to go with you. For twenty eight I'd want an excellent rebuild with an 85 hp and a starter. I've owned 2 that were top quality rebuilds but with 65 hp engines. They both sold for 24500.00 each . One had won a trophy or two. Hand proping is becoming a lost art and a pain in the a$$ in winter especially. ( the person selling it will usually tell you .."...oh it starts on the first pull." .....which is usually a fairy tale). Buyer beware! The 85 hp makes it a much better performer!

I purchased both these aircraft from the persons who rebuilt them. Both were always hangared and were in immaculate condition with logs since they left the factory new. . ( one had been in a fatal accident near Collins n.y. Where it collided with a cub in the pattern . Neither was using a radio. ( info for those who "don't need no radio, just see and avoid" the cub pilot died. The t craft made it to the runway and 20 years later was rebuilt. )

[LRM]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

The ad did say the 75 hp was new so does that mean new rebuild or actually factory new?

I can see that the only way to go would be to have a mechanic as the consultant, someone who could ask the proper questions to identify the plane that would make a trip to see it worth the cost ?

Thanks for the information on your experiences. I am early in the search and if a Taylorcraft ownership is meant to be for me hopefully I will get lucky and be at the right place at the right time. At this stage I was trying to determine a realistic budget for a purchase. You say the ones you obtained were good quality at around 24.5K which is close to 27K canadian $
These would be at the top of the range I guess and something around 20k would be not bad if I was lucky but that would be 22-23k canadian. Will keep looking to see what turns up.

[Joe cooper]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

The ad did say the 75 hp was new so does that mean new rebuild or actually factory new?

I can see that the only way to go would be to have a mechanic as the consultant, someone who could ask the proper questions to identify the plane that would make a trip to see it worth the cost ?

Thanks for the information on your experiences. I am early in the search and if a Taylorcraft ownership is meant to be for me hopefully I will get lucky and be at the right place at the right time. At this stage I was trying to determine a realistic budget for a purchase. You say the ones you obtained were good quality at around 24.5K which is close to 27K canadian $
These would be at the top of the range I guess and something around 20k would be not bad if I was lucky but that would be 22-23k canadian. Will keep looking to see what turns up.

The 75 hp engine is an older one , probably a 65that has had some very minor refinements done and probably a prop change to claim 75 hp. It's nothing like the advantage an 85 hp gives you with the proper metal prop.My own experience and only my own opinion is that you may as well try and buy a nice one, for in the end, if you spend less, you will spend more in repairs, spend much more time repairing and talking about it than you will flying it. Some people like to work on them more than fly them but I prefer the opposite. Incidentally, have you ever been to Henry's resturant on frying pan island in georgian bay. ? One of my favorites! Best fish fry ever! And lots of 180- 185s and beavers on floats.

[Marv]

Re: Canadian Taylorcraft inspection

I am sure you will prefer the 85 HP if both planes are of the ssame quality. I know i would.