Taylorcraft Anniversary?

[VanDy]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

Brodhead, cough, cough.. I cant speak for anyone there or anything, but the Pietenpol reunion is the weekend before brodhead, and open to all.

1936 is considered to be the 1st year of Taylorcraft. I would love to see a group of tcrafts at Oshkosh. While I know that we would never achieve the numbers that other types may, I think we could achieve a row or twos worth. My dad and I have two (BC12D and the 15A) and could probably get another 2 more who have expressed interest in the idea.

As far as competing with Cubs, it will never happen. Marty used the best word to describe Cubs, cult. I also believe the amount of cub copies have allowed the J3 legend to grow. Maybe a by product of companies like Taylorcraft and American champion trying to produce aircraft into the 1990s and 2000s where Piper has not built j3s since the 40s which has provided cheap replaceable parts? I dunno. Cubs seem to attract a younger crowd. I know many younger Cub pilots. Most of the tcraft pilots I know are older and now unwilling to travel x country. I for one would be interested in meeting up a weekend before Oshkosh for example in a place in Illinois Wisconsin and would be willing to help put that together if there is a willing host airport.

[cvavon]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

We did Blakesburg this year for the first time.We flew both of my planes 2015 was the year the 108 Stinson was the featured airplane along with the Curtis Robin.Shannon flew the Taylorcraft for the trip witch was 1100 nautical mi round trip.The fly-in was very well run it runs for 6 days over the labor day week end.The President of the AAA is very open and I think will help us organize a place to do a forum if that is something we want to try.They have the infrastructure in place to handle this type of group. I will do Blakesburg again this year the people were much more friendly and out going the not open to the public is also good the having to guard your plane don't exist.Also a high light of this year was getting to meet Robert Lees was just great and we met Terry Bowden also for the first time this is a must go to fly-in

[waltermrich]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

I would like to see Blakesburg host a Taylorcraft anniversary, It would be good for all including promoting and Keeping the AAA going, just my humble opinion

[M Jones]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

I think it was about 15 years ago, that the Taylor's made the Blakesburg fly-in "the year of the Taylorcraft". Waco's were also featured that year. We had 12 + Taylorcrafts on the field then.

[ricky]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

Good Day everyone,marty I've been to oshkosh since 2003,I notice that attendence is slowly disappearing from from even, as I fly one an doing ground up restoration on the other,every time go to oshkosh im ask to join,when you can't find know one at the vintage club,how can one join a club,as im also member of the studebaker club,you can't swing a dead cat around with out hitting member,on the reuion.thousand of old studebaker show from united state an canada arrive,there alot of info hear on this site,but in person,very dis appointing at the show!
CF-MRY\CF-LOH Rick

[3Dreaming]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

Every year that our family has had a flyable Taylorcraft we have had it at Oshkosh. With any luck we should have one back there in 2016.

[woodmw]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

From the FAA Registry:

Taylorcraft	2749
Luscombe 8	2141
Champ	3093
J-2, J-3, J-4, J-5, PA-11	5864
PA-18	3962
Total Cubs	9826

Numbers are approximate. Tcraft and Cubs include "L" birds. Registration status is unknown.
Another column of Total Aircraft Built would be interesting to see what percentage have survived.


'EDIT:'

In July 2012, Taylorcraft -- 3479

[waltermrich]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

Very interesting post, some what alarming that 730 Taylorcrafts had dropped from the FAA registry in only 3 years , is that a foreboding of the future of Taylorcraft Hope not. Bigger question is why has aviation in general become so unpopular in the last decade in our nation, used to be so vibrant. Thanks for posting.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

Very interesting post, some what alarming that 730 Taylorcrafts had dropped from the FAA registry in only 3 years , is that a foreboding of the future of Taylorcraft Hope not. Bigger question is why has aviation in general become so unpopular in the last decade in our nation, used to be so vibrant. Thanks for posting.

I'm sure the drop has to do with the number of aircraft that were on the records that have been purged because of the new requirement to renew the registration every 3 years now. I know there were a couple airplanes from our county that have disappeared from the records that were already long gone.

[mikeg]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

Well, to add a few more thoughts. When Dad and I purchased our wind damaged '41 (29804) in November of 1970 at the Brownsburg airport, there were 12 Taylorcrafts on that little airport. A couple at Speedway airport a short distance away, and 10 T-Crafts at Shanks airport on the west side of Indianapolis. All with very nice grass runways. Brownsburg airport is gone-Speedway airport is gone-Shanks airport is gone. I am aware of only three remaining T-Crafts in the Indianapolis metro area. A '41 (mine-NC29804) that is flying, a '40 (mine-NC27451) undergoing restoration (slowly-but coming), and a'39 that has been laying in a barn for many years that will probably never see the air again, at least in my life time. I rescued my '40 from the junk heap that was destined to be sold for scrap. The airport operator that gave me the airplane said he could not get anyone interested in restoring it. Where did they all go? You would think the demand for a really good LSA airplane would solve the shortage. Parts availability is an issue. Back in the recent hey-day of our Ts, Dorothy was in business and selling parts. You can get most any part you need for a Cub, Champ, Ercoupe today. T-Craft, good luck. Wag-Aero is trying. Univar prices are in outer space. The individuals of our Tribe try. But there is only a fixed number of parts from that group. We try, but the supply is dwindling. The EAA is caught up with the warbirds and glass cockpits. When is the last time you saw fly-ins listed in Sport Aviation? The last time I sold a part, the guy that bought it was upset because it didn't look factory new. I will not sell anything anymore. Trade?-we'll talk. The FAA has not been a big help. Little grass airports are almost all gone and their replacements are so closed off to the public, no one can go "look" at airplanes (major activity when I was a kid). Repressive regulations and stupid airworthiness directives don't help. EPA has a hand in the problem as well-driving up costs of materials.

Sorry about the rant, you will find that as you get older you tend to say what you think. I love my little Taylorcraft. Just celebrated my 45th year with her. I'm going flying, while the weather is still good.
Later,
Mike Girdley A&P/IA
NC29804
NC27451
NC447K

[waltermrich]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

Thanks for the rant

[clear_prop1961]

Re: Taylorcraft Anniversary?

I don't believe that the number of aircraft on the FAA registry is important for pilot's to have fun. After all the Luscombe is the smallest number of aircraft on the above list but they are very active. I believe it boils down to leadership with in a group as well as the owners/pilots enthusiasm. A friend of mine, Hank Galpin, has this philosophy regarding traveling to flying events:
1. Adventure isn’t going to just happen – you have to create it.
2. The people are more important than the hardware.
3. If you are not having fun, it’s your fault.
4. You may have to bring the airplane home on a flatbed truck.

I believe he has some wisdom here that is worth thinking about regarding organizing at least one Taylorcraft celebration some where next year. We don't need to limit it to one grand celebration event, as it could be regional events. But if one event is wanted I vote for Blakesburg myself. I just looked at the AAA's website and they are not having featured aircraft next year, so we can have a Taylorcraft event there and do our own thing within the AAA's activities. Food for thought.
Jerry