85+hp tcraft

[cstolaircraft]

Hi Guys I am new here although some of you may know the name from BCP. I am interested in buying a t craft to fly off about 1000 ft strip at somewhere between 900-1200 msl. I have been told that the T craft is one of the best bang for the buck planes to get this done, but I would like to see for myself what one with 85-100hp will really do. I am in the St Louis area, usually fly out of KFAM and occasionally KFES. Anyone in this area that has a T craft with 85+ hp that will give me a ride? Also I am open to suggestions for other plane.

[N96337]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

Glad to see you made it over here!
John

[astjp2]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

Your biggest problem will be braking, taylorcrafts like to float. I have hydraulic brakes and was getting in and out of 600' strips but it takes some practice but easily accomplished, I had a hard time stopping consistently with the original drum brakes. Tim

[cstolaircraft]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

hydraulic brakes would be something I would like to have in a plane. I have heard t crafts tend to float but was told that with proper speeds its a non issue.

[cvavon]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

I have just what you are looking for 1940 pre war C85-12 with a starter grove wheels and brakes for sale.and a hole lot more mods.

[Scott]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

They would need to be extraordinary brakes to help reduce float ! lol

The key to short field landings is always the approach. In a Tcraft your side slip begins with a slipping turn onto base and ends when you straighten up for touchdown. If your tailwheel touches down just before the main gear you've done it right and really don't need much in the way of brakes.

The relatively large wing area combined with the relatively slippery airfoil/airframe means scrubbing off speed on approach is the key. This translates into mastering sideslipping (or extending your downwind leg, but the preference is to stay within easy dead-stick distance of the strip). The same large wing area means the aircraft gets airborne easily too for short field takeoffs.

[cstolaircraft]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

I was flying a C-170B out of 1300ft strip with less then 20 hours so I feel that I have a good base to start with for flying off short fields. I know comparing a cessna with Barn doors and a t craft are apples to oranges. Now I have flown a champ and in a about 30 minutes of landings was starting to get fairly consistent with spot landings ( +/- 30 foot). I would hope that with about the same time I could repeat the same in a T craft? compared to the Champ how different is the Tcraft in landing? I would like to find someone in about a 100 mile radius from me with a T craft to get some stick time to really see how they fly. Closest plane I know of now is 5 hours away.

[PA1195]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

That plane linked above might be a nice choice. VG's to moderate the stall, large tires to add AOA in a 3-pt configuration, and proper brakes to slow it down that match the size of tires. C-85 and the right prop turning near max static rpm would offer good power.

Visibility out of the Taylorcraft is different than others, even Cessna's, with larger tires. You have to slip a bit as noted to get a full perspective of the landing zone, then adjust for ground contact. Not a problem just different. They do land different in my experience. The Champs you can get somewhat sloppy on airspeed on final and they'll still head unerringly for the touchdown zone (carrier landings). The Taylorcraft likes to fly and hates to quit the day's fun early so speed control becomes a matter to pay attention to.

Hopefully you can sit in one and maybe fly some to gain a better perspective.

Gary

[senior]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

"compared to the Champ how different is the Tcraft in landing?"

I may be able to help with that since my last plane was a Chief, which of course has virtually identical performance to a Champ.
My 85HP T-Craft descends the same at idle as the Chief did at 1,500rpm.
Nothing floats like a T, but it can be managed, somewhat, with airspeed.

[skip]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

Hi Guys I am new here although some of you may know the name from BCP. I am interested in buying a t craft to fly off about 1000 ft strip at somewhere between 900-1200 msl. I have been told that the T craft is one of the best bang for the buck planes to get this done, but I would like to see for myself what one with 85-100hp will really do. I am in the St Louis area, usually fly out of KFAM and occasionally KFES. Anyone in this area that has a T craft with 85+ hp that will give me a ride? Also I am open to suggestions for other plane.

Over here in New Mexico I am a bit far away for a ride, but for what its worth here are some of my experiences.

My home field is 7200 MSL. My BC12D 85HP uses about 1000' on takeoff at gross. I have flown comfortably on and off of a 1600' rough dirt backcountry strip at this altitude. With a friend's '41 A-65 BC12-65 I have flown at gross (two people) and would feel comfortable with '2000' of good runway.
I have flown near gross over in the Utah Canyonlands. An example is "Dirty Devil" which is about 4100' MSL and 1200' of soft dirt. The C-85 handled it safely.
We have a big back country fly in at negrito (0NM7) in the Gila Wilderness. Negrito is at 8100' MSL and the C-85 does well using about 2000'

When my friend purchased his '41 BC12-65, I went back to east Tenessee with him to do the check-out flight. The two of us in the standard A-65 T-craft handled a 2000' grass strip at about 1200' MSL in the great Smokies easily. We used less than half the runway and had plenty of climb that would clear any trees at the end (had there been any).

Other posts have mentioned hydraulic brakes. I find that with proper adjustment, my Shinn brakes will hold me at a full-static power runup and stop me easily on any of the strips mentioned above. The trick is learning to adjust them correctly.

My experience is that even an A-65 Taylorcraft would meet your requirements and a C-85 would handle them comfortably.
Good luck finding a plane and I look forward to hearing your experiences.

[tcrate]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

I am just getting acquainted with the Taylorcraft BC-12D and want to take a closer look (sit in one, see how it fits and hear more). I'm in Colorado Springs so looking for someone who may have one, or see if there are some flyins this summer where I might see a flock or two and get a lot smarter. (this is a perfect thread and I will take it all in, and keep listening)

My guess is I would need a minimum of 85 hp, maybe a C90 or a stroker.

thanks for any leads, thoughts, etc! I really appreciate it.

Mike

[Guest]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

Hi Guys I am new here although some of you may know the name from BCP. I am interested in buying a t craft to fly off about 1000 ft strip at somewhere between 900-1200 msl. I have been told that the T craft is one of the best bang for the buck planes to get this done, but I would like to see for myself what one with 85-100hp will really do. I am in the St Louis area, usually fly out of KFAM and occasionally KFES. Anyone in this area that has a T craft with 85+ hp that will give me a ride? Also I am open to suggestions for other plane.

What is BCP?

Dave

[kona4breakfast]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

What is BCP?

Dave

Backcountry Pilot.

I have the cable brakes. After some slight bushwhacking through the infield at the airport, I've started to do my mag checks in the parking spot. That way if I can't hold it I don't have to taxi back to parking to adjust them. I'd try to find one with a good motor that's nice and light. You can do brakes when you get 29"s to put on.

[Guest]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

thanks

Dave

[astjp2]

Re: 85+hp tcraft

In springs you may want to look for an F-21, the extra power of a lyc would be helpful on a hot day...