Good Fishing Day

[Harbi]

Flew 78 miles to a lake today for some ice fishing. Nice day for this time of year, a balmy +5. We went with three planes, my t-craft, a super cub and a Funk(yes a Funk). Biggest pike we caught was 18 lbs. I guess the jist of the whole thing is how nice our little planes perform with such good economy. Me and the funk were a good 5 to 7 m.p.h faster than the cub. I had myself and Dad with me, 18 gals of gas, ice auger, poles ect. Went the same place as the cub, but faster and half the gas and had just as much fun.
Just reaffirms why I have been flying my little bird for the past 12 years. When a cub driver looks at the T-craft and says " There aint much more airplane in the cub as in the T-craft", makes a guy smile. I bought mine for 12,000 dollars and he paid 60,000. Not to start a war, I know what cubs can do. They are the premier off airport plane when it comes to the extreme bush flying. But for the everyday recreation flying, just can't beat the old t-craft.

Wade

[Acroeric]

Re: Good Fishing Day

Wade- I went camping this past year with a friend that had a newly restored 160 Super Cub. I carried all his camping equipment, chairs, cooler along with my stuff in my BC12-D-85 (large baggage) When we took off I throttled back to 2100 rpm at about 4 gph to keep from leaving him. I got tired of hanging on the prop so I throttled up to 2350 and went on my way. By the time we got there (1 hour flight) I had all his stuff layed out and was drinking one of his beers. Did I rub it in? You bet I did- he has a plane that costs 3x more than mine and 95% of the time the little Tcraft will do everything plus a little more.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Good Fishing Day

and was drinking one of his beers

THAT made me smile!

[perryv1]

Re: Good Fishing Day

Every once in a while I get the thought that I need a differant airplane, thats usually after I haven't been able to fly mine for a while,and then I come in here and read story after story about how others feel about their t-crafts,and how I can tell some of the same tails,I realize how that this bird is the one for me.
Thanks guys
PV

[Dano"T"]

Re: Good Fishing Day

Here....Here...


The poorman's bushplane.

[N95179]

Re: Good Fishing Day

I haven't had the T-craft ice fishing yet this winter, but it doesn't mean I haven't been fishing! Some friends and I found a great little lake near home that nobody else has fished this year. The rainbows have averaged in the 14-19 inch range. It's been so much fun! Get a bunch of friends and a bunch of tip-ups, then wait for the flags to pop up.

I got a new lure that I have to brag about. It's a little self contained LED strobe that alternates red and yellow. They work soo well! On sunday, out of 11 fish caught, only two of them were on bait alone. The rest were on my tip-ups with a flasher tied on about 5 inches above the shrimp.

[N95179]

Re: Good Fishing Day

Took the T-craft out today with Molly. We didn't catch any fish, but had fun lake hopping and visiting with friends around their camp fires, and riding snowmachines. The days are finally getting longer, weather is good, it's great to fly!

[whake]

Re: Good Fishing Day

I am curious...how do you prop a T-craft with skies???? do you have some one hold the tail ? the pictures are great but I will take my florida weather...

[fearofpavement]

Re: Good Fishing Day

I am curious...how do you prop a T-craft with skies???? do you have some one hold the tail ? the pictures are great but I will take my florida weather...

Well, a plane on skiis often isn't that prone to start moving without significant application of power. Probably from the right side rear is best in most situations. (I always fly from the right seat)

Chris, what do you do? (more great photos!, thanks)

[Dano"T"]

Re: Good Fishing Day

I stand on the right ski behind the prop with the door opened. I hold the door opened with my left hand and prop with the right...then I grab the primer if it's cold to keep her runnin'. If you are not on glare ice or very hard packed snow...it takes much more to get the plane to move on skis than when on wheels. Putting a chock under the tip of the skis is a good safey consideration. If you are with someone else...it's better....1 guy at the controls and one propping......caution must be used due to slipping concerns.

[N95179]

Re: Good Fishing Day

I start the same way as DanoT, from the rear right, holding the door with my left hand. I can grab the throttle very easily when I need to and I tell Molly if anything goes wrong or I yell, to be ready to switch the mags off. Simple enough.

[Len Petterson]

Re: Good Fishing Day

KZU has 1750 hr on the original engine and can still indicate 95 Mph at 2300 Rpm.
Time for a Top overhaul with new rings but I leave a good C150 behind.(;f
I am very curiuse to see what my new GPS will tell me.
And maybe I can find Rotax flyers field every time I fly over it.
Why can't we grow yellow grass on grass strips so one find them?
Ski flying of lakes must be wounderfull? No cross winds, Ahh.
This the first winter in ten or so years I have seen ice on the lakes and inlets around here in Niagara , what one can walk on.
Spoiled my chances for winter flying, No skies!

Len

[JohnH]

Re: Good Fishing Day

Chris,
I that you on You Tube flyin off the frozen lake?? Very cool

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Good Fishing Day

Frank Pavliga flew the Piet today on skis, had a ball took his daughter Katie for one ride and then her friend Annie for another, it was her FIRST ride in other than airliner. brrrrrrr but it was fun.
I am flying my B tomorrow again this Winter. Yes I too stand on the right, the ship is higher on skis, don't worry about her getting away. I have the primer out part way ready to catch her.

[N95179]

Re: Good Fishing Day

My bungee strut cracked almost all the way through yesterday after a couple hours of exploring. A little firewood, parachute cord, and duct tape got me home. Now the fun begins...