I haven't posted here in a while, but last week had a neat trip in a 1941 Taylorcraft BC12-65, from Louisville, Kentucky to Fullerton, California (just east of Los Angeles). It was a delivery flight to a new owner, 2,249 miles, and flying time was 25:40 for an average ground speed of 87.5 mph. Total fuel burn was about 130 gallons (didn't fill up at the end, so estimating), for about 5 gallons per hour. Engine was a 75 Continental, cruise rpm about 2,400, so a little more fuel burn than a 65. It had two 6 gallon wing tanks, which was a real help with making longer legs.
Departed Bowman Field in Louisville about 12:30 local (after airlining down from DC in the morning), first stop was Creve Coeur near St. Louis, then on to Springfield, Missouri. On the second day it was IFR until 10:30 local, and winds were forecast to be gusting 30 and even 40 in Oklahoma, so I went mostly south, to Mena, Arkansas (winds only gusting 25), and then on to Cleburne, Texas (winds less than 20), just south of Fort Worth.
A few pictures:
Crossing the Mississippi River just south of St. Louis
First stop on the third day was Sweetwater, Texas
Then on to Pecos, Texas, then across West Texas
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Departed Bowman Field in Louisville about 12:30 local (after airlining down from DC in the morning), first stop was Creve Coeur near St. Louis, then on to Springfield, Missouri. On the second day it was IFR until 10:30 local, and winds were forecast to be gusting 30 and even 40 in Oklahoma, so I went mostly south, to Mena, Arkansas (winds only gusting 25), and then on to Cleburne, Texas (winds less than 20), just south of Fort Worth.
A few pictures:
Crossing the Mississippi River just south of St. Louis
First stop on the third day was Sweetwater, Texas
Then on to Pecos, Texas, then across West Texas
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