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Aerobatic Taylorcraft Questions

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  • Aerobatic Taylorcraft Questions

    I'm new here, (presently, a Cherokee owner) and know very little about Taylorcrafts. I'm here to learn. I'm very interested in the aerobatic clipped wing Taylorcrafts, and need to know a couple things. Which Taylorcrafts meet Sport? Is it possible to modify one for aerobatic use, and still remain in the Sport category? What's the most intelligent way to get into a aerobatic capable Taylorcraft? Buy one already modified, if you can find one? Or, go to Mr. Swick and buy the stc, then modify one yourself. Or should I just go away, and buy a junky old Aerobat? just kidding

  • #2
    Re: Aerobatic Taylorcraft Questions

    First off in the foundation section there is a clip wing section with lots of good information. Most of the clip wings will meet the sport pilot requirements, unless some of the big engine airplanes have to fast of a cruising speed.
    It is my understanding that Mike Swick will not sell the STC's anymore. That leaves you with trying to find one already modified, or doing one as a homebuilt. Going the homebuilt route would be my choice. Tom

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    • #3
      Re: Aerobatic Taylorcraft Questions

      Welcome to the forum Art. There's a few guys around here with flying clips or projects that frequent the clip wing section on this site, you'll find a lot of info there. A Continental powered ship will likely qualify in Light Sport, a -320 Lycoming equipped one may or may not. I believe the deciding factor there is speed at max continuous power, not weight (as long as it's under the 1320 of the rule).

      FYI, Mike Swick still sells plans for the conversion, but doesn't offer the STC any longer. There are usually a few complete, flying clips of the Cole or Swick variety for sale on Barnstormers or Trade a Plane. There was even one in TX on EBay a couple weeks ago.
      Last edited by Vasey fan; 08-03-2006, 07:02. Reason: Tom beat me to it.

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      • #4
        Re: Aerobatic Taylorcraft Questions

        does'nt duane cole also have an STC?

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        • #5
          Re: Aerobatic Taylorcraft Questions

          Originally posted by Sloanlow
          does'nt duane cole also have an STC?
          No, Duane only offered a set of plans. Since he passed away a few years back, they're difficult to find.

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          • #6
            Re: Aerobatic Taylorcraft Questions

            Curious, I realize that since many of the Taylorcrafts are Sport eligible, and the average new Sport designs are selling for very unreasonable amounts of money, that the market for these old airplanes, and the others like them, must be rising, at least a little bit? I'm seeing average prices in the mid teens to the mids 20's, then I find the clip wing on Barnstormers for 40 something thousand? Sounds insane to me? What would an average price for a clip wing really be?

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            • #7
              Re: Aerobatic Taylorcraft Questions

              A really nice clipwing will now go for 35-40k. I know it sounds insane but it costs so much to restore/ convert one that it is really inline. Each of my clipwings sold befor eI was ready to let them go- they went to guys offering me rediculous amounts of money for them. . . . . .
              Eric Minnis
              Bully Aeroplane Works and Airshows
              www.bullyaero.com
              Clipwing Tcraft x3


              Flying is easy- to go up you pull back, to go down you pull back a little farther.

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              • #8
                Re: Aerobatic Taylorcraft Questions

                Originally posted by Art Rose
                What's the most intelligent way to get into a aerobatic capable Taylorcraft? Buy one already modified, if you can find one? Or, go to Mr. Swick and buy the stc, then modify one yourself. Or should I just go away, and buy a junky old Aerobat? just kidding
                As far as buying vs building.....I decided to build for several reasons:1) wanted the education, 2) couldn't find a light-weight clip that I wanted, 3) wanted to know how it was built. After owning a couple experimentals, I've always wondered about the build quality and treatment over the years.

                But now that I'm building...........it's a hell of a lot of work! I'll be able to build it with the options that I want, but I do regret not buying one from Eric a few years ago. I would still consider one now if I found one for sale. My time is very limited, so this is taking longer than I'd hoped, but am still enjoying it.

                So it depends on whether you want to fly or build for the next couple years.

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