Anybody been in touch with Terry Bowden lately?

[cbcfly]

He's not returning my emails or phone calls. I purchased quite a bit of paperwork for my Taylorcraft from him (C85 conversion, etc) a while back, but still need a few more items. I'm in the middle of painting fabric and hoping to get back in the air this summer. I'd like to start getting all my paperwork in order. If he's ill or not doing this type of work anymore, can anybody recommend another DER familiar with Taylorcrafts?

[Guest]

How many days of silence have passed?

He did not always get back to me right away, perhaps he is merely delayed.

I can't imagine him not doing that type of work.

Dave

[PA1195]

I sent Terry a mail 3/7/20 regarding what floats he or STC SA1-210 allows when the GW is as much as 1500# and the plane is then a Model 19 equivalent. Never heard back.

Gary

[EdH]

I talked to him on the phone about brakes for about a half hour on March 4, he was friendly and very helpful. Maybe he’s staying home with all the BS going on?

Also, PA1195, I’d be interested to hear about that as well, as I have the same STC, and am wondering if I can use the F19 equivalency to easily justify Aqua 1500s.

[astjp2]

I talked to him 2 weeks ago, sent him some info and now silent. I know his day job keeps him busy..

Ed, did you get a 5/16" valve for your header tank yet? Tim

[EdH]

I talked to him 2 weeks ago, sent him some info and now silent. I know his day job keeps him busy..

Ed, did you get a 5/16" valve for your header tank yet? Tim

I’m not sure I was looking for one? Maybe there is another Ed, my valve is working great.

[astjp2]

I’m not sure I was looking for one? Maybe there is another Ed, my valve is working great.

Unless you already have one, you need to upsize your header tank valve to comply with the 85 stc. Tim

[Ragwing nut]

Its not uncommon for him to go dark. I think he stays overwhelmed.

[EdH]

Unless you already have one, you need to upsize your header tank valve to comply with the 85 stc. Tim

No idea. Mine has had an 85 since the 50s. We used his STC to up the gross to 1500. It already had an old STC for the extended baggage and the 85 long mount. Everything was done except the gross weight.

[PA1195]

I talked to him on the phone about brakes for about a half hour on March 4, he was friendly and very helpful. Maybe he’s staying home with all the BS going on?

Also, PA1195, I’d be interested to hear about that as well, as I have the same STC, and am wondering if I can use the F19 equivalency to easily justify Aqua 1500s.

It's his call I believe. With STC SA1-210 the equivalency can be applied for the BC12D-4-85 under TCDS A-696 at 1280 conventional gear or 1351 floats, or the Model 19 under TCDS 1A9 (C85; not F-19) at 1500# conventional gear. The Model 19 was never certified by Taylorcraft on floats. Terry may be able to link his STC to the F-19 as far as floats go but that's why I asked for his opinion. Unlike Baumann which includes the Model 19, AQUA lists only the F-19 as approved models.

Gary

[cbcfly]

I talked to him last July about some paperwork. He said he'd send me the paperwork and an invoice. Never got them. No big deal because I wasn't in a hurry at the time. Figured he was busy. Got back in touch a couple months ago. He said he was very busy, but was helpful - yet still no paperwork. And now I've called/voicemailed/emailed several times in the last couple of weeks with no answer, no returns, etc. I do get that he's busy. I hope everything is ok on his end. I could sure use his help, as he has a very unique and helpful skillset.

[PA1195]

STC support must be an under-appreciated and often under-funded task. Add to that family, day job, personal time, DER duties, and communications which can evolve into a 25 hour day. I would gladly pay for any of his billable time so maybe he needs to do that to encourage income for his DER and STC projects. Put it in his catalog as counseling and communications for a fee: http://dc65stc.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

Gary

[cbcfly]

I hear what you're saying Gary, but you seem to be implying that I'm not willing to pay the man for his time. That's absolutely not the case. I've already paid him quite a bit, and I'd be glad to pay him some more. I just need him to do what he said he'd do for me last summer, or at the very least return some correspondence.

[PA1195]

No implications Brian and no harm intended. He may simply be out of free time and if working a paid for by others day job may have no immediate need for extra income. I had a radio shop tell me they'd get to mine when they had the time and didn't need my money today. Fair enough response.

For some it's a choice between a day job and self employment...or a mix which is difficult. Not many benefits in self employment like health insurance and some form of retirement account. Just speculation and not a defender, but isn't that what often happens when there's an STC that's been expensive to obtain? Paid for upfront then trying to recover past expenses with tomorrow's money? Tough business to be in.

Gary

[Jim Herpst]

I hear what you're saying Gary, but you seem to be implying that I'm not willing to pay the man for his time. That's absolutely not the case. I've already paid him quite a bit, and I'd be glad to pay him some more. I just need him to do what he said he'd do for me last summer, or at the very least return some correspondence.

Brian, Have you heard from him? I am planning on doing a C90 upgrade. Do not want to do so if there is no support. I did see where he had released a new catalog. Can not imagine he is not supporting his customers.

Please let us know.