BC-12D in Southern California?

[xywh]

Hello all!

Brand new forum member. I’m in San Diego, CA and am really excited about potentially purchasing a BC-12D, but I’ve never sat in one. I’m fairly tall - 6’2”, but have a 32” inseam (so I think that means I’m mostly torso). Fairly thin at 175lbs, so width isn’t an issue. I’ve had some people tell me I’d be fine, and others that say my knees would hit badly.

Wondering if there are any SoCal owners that might let me come sit inside theirs?

Then, ideally for insurance, I find a CFI to give me five hours of dual in one! Anyone have any ideas?

thanks a ton!
Chase

[RainierView]

Welcome to the forum! Of course, best to sit in one for yourself, but take not of the seat sling and cushion setup, as these affect knee clearance. I'm 6'2", 185 lbs, 34" inseam, so slightly longer legged. My BC12D (Model 19) canvas seat is slung low for head clearance with average-width seat and back cushions. I have experienced no problem with knee clearance once I moved the transponder into the panel and no concern about visibility under the wing root. By the way, I find being taller an advantage for cockpit entry/exit. I don't need to use the step at all, just back in.

[xywh]

Thanks! That's definitely sounding good. The one I'm looking at does not have a xpdr mounted under the panel (or anything). So maybe I have hope.

I really need to find one in Southern California!

[Hank Jarrett]

I was 6'3" and 225# when I got mine and fit inside fine (little hard GETTING in but fine once in). 25-30# lighter now and even easy getting in an out. One caveat, I tried getting into a plane with the earlier pre-war full round wheels. I finally gave up. Just COLD NOT get my legs under that big round wheel! Have done all the other wheel that were ever delivered and all were fine.

[woodmw]

Chase, welcome. Here is a listing extracted from the FAA Registration data base, 2-18-2021, listing Taylorcraft aircraft in California. I sorted by manufacturer code, county and then city. BC12-D are highlighted in blue. Code 8850316. Maybe this will help you locate a plane near you.

There is (was) a video on the web, I'm sure Youtube, done by a younger guy that hand proped the engine, walked around to the door, and simply put his right leg in the plane, slid into the seat and pulled the left leg in. Basically just stepped into the plane. I tried it. Fortunately, I didn't quite get my right foot up high enough. If I had, I'm sure I would have been stuck in that position and would have had to just fall down to get free.

[Hank Jarrett]

Wish someone had the video of how to get out where the guy opens the door and just leans to the side till he falls out of the door. REALLY funny! I used to have one of a guy showing how to get in an open cockpit biplane. He threw his leg over teh tail just forward of hte fin and crawled up the fuselage to dive head first into the cockpit. Feet sticking out flailing around and then pulled down in where he flipped over and popped upright in the cockpit and signaled with a circling finger in the air to prop him. HILARIOUS!!!

Hank