Know this airplane? - Part II

[Dusty]

Thanks, everyone, for the information about the 100HP WIS Tcart. That worked so well, let's do it again!

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/unprotected/specs/33419.html

85HP "tweety bird" in OR.

Anyone?

In case it isn't apparent, I'm in the market for an 85+HP Taylorcraft, if anyone has one they want to get rid of!

[VictorBravo]

Re: Know this airplane? - Part II

Dusty, unless there's something REALLY wrong up there in Oregon, I'd go snap that one up right away if I were you. I paid more than that for a 65HP T-craft a few months ago. I would have killed for the deal that is being offered now.

In my opinion, what you are HOPING to find, is a basically straight airframe with marginal fabric or ugly paint. Cracked automotive enamel paint on fabric, over an otherwise good airframe, should be your ideal answer to why an 85HP T-craft is for sale cheap. (you might even be able to strip the paint and rebuild the dope coatings)

First of all it is not that much money in materials to re-cover it, and the Stits process is actually fun and easy. Second of all, the fabric would have to be really bad to prevent you from flying safely for a little while. If you can fly it for a few months, then spend one of those mild Alaska winters re-covering it, you would still have a winner.

Obviously you need to contact this guy IMMEDIATELY, and ask him the following:

Damage history, and what structural issues are there now? Cracked spar, rusty struts, etc?

What's the real deal on the engine? Compressions and oil pressure as it sits now?

How long has it been sitting outside in the Oregon weather?

One of the things I have learned the hard way is to pay even more attention to who the guy is and what kind of personality he has, and listen carefully to how he answers your questions...not just the answer itself.

If I were you, I'd make a long phone call to him, and based on that call I'd likely be hopping on a 737 the next day.

Call the local EAA chapter in that area and find someone who knows this guy and his airplane. Call the local FBO where the plane is tied down. Go into CIA research mode.

The one thing that spooks me a little is "fresh annual". That is either real good news or real bad news. Make sure to talk to the IA who annualled it. Just about everyone who has ever owned airplanes can tell you horror stories about a "tailgate annual" or a "pencil whipping".

You need to see if this is the first time it has been annualled in a while or whether it has been annualled every year by the same guy. If it's the first annual in a while you are looking to see that a significant amount of work has been done as part of this annual. If it's the same guy over several years, you are looking for some work to have been done every year.

The identical three line annual inspection signoff for ten years, with no actual repairs done, is a bad sign. An airplane sitting outside for 5 years without an annual, then a quickie three-line signoff with no list of 20 things that were done, is a very bad sign. I'm sure the professional mechanics and experienced IA's in this group will back me up on that. I'm just an unlicensed amateur tinkerer, but I have seen this sort of problem more than once.

Have the guy fax you the last five pages in the logbook. If he says that's too much trouble, even with the distance you are calling from, the hair on the back of your neck should start to stand up.

If that airplane is structurally sound, and it runs, and it is in annual, you will not get hurt at that price. I believe there is more than one T-craft club member somewhere up in the Northwest or Oregon itself.

If his ad on Trade-a-Plane is anywhere near the truth, I'd say you should lean strongly towards buying it.

Bill

[VictorBravo]

Re: Know this airplane? - Part II

One thing from the interior photo: It appears he has replaced the seat sling with fiberglass buckets.

Also, I think he may have moved the resr seat cross-tube back a few inches. I am not exactly certain, but that rear tube looks like it does not go between two welded clusters, it looks like it is welded between the window diagonal tubes a few inches aft of the door frame cluster.

That would be a really nice modification for comfort, IF it was done in a safe way.

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Know this airplane? - Part II

Just out of curiosity, I didn't know there were 12gallon wing tanks in a BC12D. Can that cross tube be moved? I'm no lawyer, but I'm not sure that is legal, make sure there is a 337 if it has been. An IA would probably never notice it during annual, unless he is pretty familiar with the Tcraft, as it is fairly subtle. Regardless of it's legality, I would be more concerned with structural strength. I'm sure it could be moved back pretty easy.

The price does seem quite attractive.....dot your i's and cross your t's!!

Richard Boyer
N95791

[crispy critter]

Re: Know this airplane? - Part II

Richard,
There is an STC out there for the 12 gallon wing tanks(two 6 gallon tanks in each wing hooked together).It also involves removing the header tank(nose tank).It gives you the same 24 gallons with more behind the panel for radios and etc.

[joelharris]

Re: Know this airplane? - Part II

It was for sale a couple of years ago for a little more money but looks like the same place from the photos he shot me 2 years ago.

Look it over carefully.

I will keep my fingers crossed it works out for you.

If it doesnt work out I will make you a deal on an F-19 project
I don't have time for.

Joel

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Know this airplane? - Part II

That is very interesting. Bet that is a pain to keep from leaking! I think a better reason to have it is so that you aren't sitting right behind 12 gallons of fuel....ick.

Richard Boyer
N95791