Taylorcraft in OR

[samwise]

Hi. New poster here. I've been reading up on various planes over that last several months and have finally landed on a Taylorcraft as a great first plane for me. There is one in Madras, OR that I am considering. Unfortunately my work schedule doesn't allow me to make the trip to go see it very easily. I'm wondering if there is someone close to Madras who I could convince (I'd pay for your time) to go take a look at it for me? Or maybe recommend an IA in the area. Any first time Taylorcraft buying advice would be appreciated.

[astjp2]

Re: Taylorcraft in OR

Buy one that is not a work in progress if you want to fly, also your first annual is usually the hardest. Tim

[Joe cooper]

Re: Taylorcraft in OR

Buy one that is not a work in progress if you want to fly, also your first annual is usually the hardest. Tim

I totally agree!
I would wait until I did have time to go look at whatever I bought and would take a known , good tube and fabric mechanic with me. I would buy a BC12D with not over 500 hours on the engine and not over ten year old ceconite or comparable fabric. I would try hard to find one with an 85 hp cont. With a starter, a decent radio and transponder. I say this after flying three and owning two. I would expect to pay somewhere between 25-29 thou for a real nice one that was well done with believable log books. If, however, you are an excellent mechanic and would rather BS on the Internet than fly, then buy a fixer upper. There are plenty of those around. They usually wind up as a project for sale, many never having been flown.

[astjp2]

Re: Taylorcraft in OR

I would only want to pay 18K for one with good fabric, if compressions are good, I am not so worried about hours. I can get you into a 150 hp colt for less than 20K with only 150 hour on the engine with NEW cylinders. Tim

[PA1195]

Re: Taylorcraft in OR

I totally agree!
I would wait until I did have time to go look at whatever I bought and would take a known , good tube and fabric mechanic with me. I would buy a BC12D with not over 500 hours on the engine and not over ten year old ceconite or comparable fabric. I would try hard to find one with an 85 hp cont. With a starter, a decent radio and transponder. I say this after flying three and owning two. I would expect to pay somewhere between 25-29 thou for a real nice one that was well done with believable log books. If, however, you are an excellent mechanic and would rather BS on the Internet than fly, then buy a fixer upper. There are plenty of those around. They usually wind up as a project for sale, many never having been flown.

Well told! Some would rather fly then fix than fix then fly. Make sure what category best fits you. Also think about the going out before the coming in...at what point may the first plane not meet your growing skills and expectations for flight? Also at what level of financial and time commitment would you be willing to part with the plane without regret?

My vote is for having fun flying now whatever that takes, but then at my age the calendar is thinner than some.

Gary

[dewhitaker]

Re: Taylorcraft in OR

Just adding my two cents to some of the already excellent posts: If you want to fly now, purchase a flying airplane that has been maintained well. That means LOOKING AT THE AIRCRAFT! Get a knowledgeable tube and fabric person to help you with a pre-buy inspection. Please be advised that log books can be fantasy. If you are a tinkerer and enjoy the challenges of restoring, then have at it, and buy a fixer upper. But be aware that there is no factory support for this aircraft any longer. There are some limited vendors who still sell parts, but as always, let the buyer beware.
Flying and maintaining a vintage aircraft such as this has to be a labor of love, IMHO. I am a third generation Taylorcraft owner. I guess it gets in your blood.
Welcome to the Tribe.

[dewhitaker]

Re: Taylorcraft in OR

Just adding my two cents to some of the already excellent posts: If you want to fly now, purchase a flying airplane that has been maintained well. That means LOOKING AT THE AIRCRAFT! Get a knowledgeable tube and fabric person to help you with a pre-buy inspection. Please be advised that log books can be fantasy. If you are a tinkerer and enjoy the challenges of restoring, then have at it, and buy a fixer upper. But be aware that there is no factory support for this aircraft any longer. There are some limited vendors who still sell parts, but as always, let the buyer beware.
Flying and maintaining a vintage aircraft such as this has to be a labor of love, IMHO. I am a third generation Taylorcraft owner. I guess it gets in your blood.
Welcome to the Tribe.

[M Towsley]

Re: Taylorcraft in OR

Welcome Sam,

David, and others, covered a lot of it. (Good to see you back, David)! Especially about the plane being unsupported. The good thing is they made a lot of these planes after the war so you can still pick up parts from folks here and on Barnstormers, etc.

Do not be afraid of an older restoration. When I picked up mine it was a 20 year old restoration but absolutely beautiful. The guys who covered it did a great job and people think the restoration was recently done. Interior had to be redone but that was relatively easy.

Gary's quotes on prices I am assuming are more along the lines of an 85hp T-Craft. My recent one, (65hp), was a hair over $20K. A very, very nice restoration will run you maybe mid 20's but the best thing about the Taylorcraft, if you are buying, is they are way undervalued. However, I have seen some T-Crafts on Barnstormers recently somewhat inflated in price that seemed to have some problems in covering techniques, interiors, etc. I am more of a purist so to me that hurts the value.

The search box in the upper right corner is your friend. Your question has been answered in the past by many members over the years. If you get bored waiting for some of us to answer, do some searching. It is amazing what you can find. Best of luck and hope you add you to the great group of folks who fly this wonderful airplane.

[samwise]

Re: Taylorcraft in OR

Thanks for all the comments. Looks like I will try to make a trip down to see it.

[Stumpy]

Re: Taylorcraft in OR

Welcome Sam,

Swing down to W16 sometime...my T is in the hangar there currently, and there's another one on the field as well. FYI there's a BL converted to a BC available down at Hillsboro Muni...owner has had it off and on for 20 years or so, he's an AP/IA...good guy, he also flies a lyc-powered Travel Air :-). She's nothing fancy but is a solid flyer and light...real light, and the price is right. Send me PM if you want the pukka gen on her.

[Joe cooper]

Re: Taylorcraft in OR

Thanks for all the comments. Looks like I will try to make a trip down to see it.

You might Google a site called taylorcraft fun. You will see a girl demonstrating a BCD12 that I owned and later sold to a fellow in arizona not too long ago. . It was a trophy winner, totally rebuilt in 1996 , always hangared . Engine 500 hours. I paid 24000 and sold it for 22000 two years later as it was a 65 hp and became boring and needed the sealed struts installed. I had gone light sport in 2002 and was used to a mooney and a 150 Citabria. When I sold it it had just been annualed and was found to be in excellent condition. Good luck, take your time!