Mad Taylorcraft?

[PA1195]

http://www.kwch.com/content/news/Crews-respond-to-unmanned-airplane-in-moundridge--383028901.html

Sorta' looks like a Taylorcraft...they'll try to fly if disturbed from sleep.

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

OK guys, let's fess up. Who has their plane in Wichita?

I built a nifty tail hook on my plane that is released by pushing the rudder pedal all the way down. Always wanted to fly with a tail hook! I will try to remember to take some photos and post them.

Hank

[PA1195]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

Is the main fuel shutoff valve useable over time, or is it prone to early wear and leakage? Seems to me to be an option to close it when hand propping. On my PA-11 I'd prime the engine and it'd start and run briefly until I could reach in the cockpit and push the mixture rich. And there is that parking brake...

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

I would NEVER trust the parking brake on my Taylorcraft. I still have the cable brakes (which work fine in my opinion) but the only time I ever use the parking brake is at annual. Stupid thing seems to LOVE to jam "on" for just one wheel.....which is a bit more excitement than I need pulling away from the hangar.

Hank

Those with hydraulic brakes can probably ignore this. ;-)

[PA1195]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

I've never tried my parking brake...it holds the horizontal Grove hydraulic cylinders in the activated position ok...need to test someday. What about the min fuel shutoff, is it prone to easy wear and leaks if used? There's enough fuel in the carb to start and run some but not go too far on its own...I'll have to test my shutoff and see how long it runs on the carb and fuel line downstream. Wheel chocks can be pulled with a rope after starting.

Wonder whose Taylorcraft did the Mad Fly routine?

Gary

[astjp2]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

Well my airplane would taxi for about 2 minutes before it ran out of fuel when I turned off the valve....

[astjp2]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

Gary, the original ones would wear out, had leather packings...

Is the main fuel shutoff valve useable over time, or is it prone to early wear and leakage? Seems to me to be an option to close it when hand propping. On my PA-11 I'd prime the engine and it'd start and run briefly until I could reach in the cockpit and push the mixture rich. And there is that parking brake...

Gary

[PA1195]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

Thanks Tim for the shutoff info. Mine works and is sealed but I see the obvious if it'll run that long when shutoff. Better to just prime, prop, and then reach and push the mixture rich. Seaplane doors help get it done quick.

Gary

[Mark Bowden]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

http://www.keyt.com/news/emergency-crews-attempt-to-stop-runaway-plane/40061072

A little clearer video link above, saw it on the news yesterday. Moundridge has a nice airport north of Wichita. Tail shape shows it's a Tcraft. Not much gas to run out that quick at high idle. Other than the question what it was doing in an un-cut wheat field, that probably slowed it down enough to "stay put" in circles.

There is another news video, taken by the tower controller, out this morning of Cubs taking off because they weren't tied down in a dry microburst. Shows about 10 people laying on a sailplane to keep it on the ground. They just lifted straight up and flew off with the wind, then they crashed.

Haven't been able to find a link yet.

Unfortunate lesson, but good to remember to secure airplane before starting or walking away.

[woodmw]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_WmjWAGkLI

[Mark Bowden]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

Thanks, Mike.

Our local new channel reported it this morning as "news" when the video has a 2014 date on it. They only showed the first part of the clip.

Must be pretty slow day news day here in Kansas City for them to dig that up. At least they segwayed into gust front/microburst talk for the weather guys and the forecast.

[PA1195]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

Now do we know where some crop circles come from? Someone should have gone aloft and had a look at the result. Might answer lots of Alien mysteries...The Taylorcraft Connection.

Just having some fun speculating.

Gary

[Robert Lees]

Re: Mad Taylorcraft?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_WmjWAGkLI

Wow, that is frightening.

USAF Academy Airfield
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

More so because in the Microburst video, there were pilots on board!