Newbie...A quick question

[Nigel]

Hi,

I'm thinking about T-Crafts for purchase. Are there any little details I should look for that are unique to the species(BC12) when I check them out??

Thanks

[Guest]

Re: Newbie...A quick question

Determine if the latest AD's have been complied with, there have been 2 in the last 12 months.

Have a pre-purchase inspection done and find out how much each of the last last 5 annuals cost. Assume that if that is a low number that you should look very close during your inspection.

Dave

[Robert Lees]

Re: Newbie...A quick question

Hello Nigel, and welcome.

Dave is correct, get a pre-buy inspection done by someone knowledgable on the type. Then buy one that passes muster, you won't regret it...it's a lot of aeroplane for the money!

Good luck!

Rob

[astjp2]

Re: Newbie...A quick question

If the airplane is near the coast, do a good corosion inspection...Tim

[fearofpavement]

Re: Newbie...A quick question

Since the airplane is 60+ years old I would approach it with the assumption that it is corroded and has rotten spars covered with bad fabric and then have YOUR inspector "prove you wrong". If the airplane has been inside most of its life it may be in excellent condition but many of these planes have been outside in all weather tied down with tall grass growing up around them. (ie, hard on the airframe steel) You are not likely to find a situation where the owner says, "yep, I bought er brand new and always kept it inside". Incomplete logs are probably more common than not and perhaps more than most planes the condition of the plane supercedes the paperwork.

The T-craft is probably the most plane you can buy for the dollar. (shhhh!) but make sure you know what you are buying. And in almost all cases it will be less expensive in the long run to pay more for a very good plane than to take a bad one and make it nice.

A piece of advice given earlier in this post but reiterated here is "have a thorough pre-buy inspection by someone THAT IS FAMILIAR WITH TAYLORCRAFTS. (or other rag and tube planes)

One other item that often bites new owners is discovering undocumented modifications. Remember that 50 years ago paperwork was not the most important aspect of aviation and owners would do things to their planes to make them better or safer in their opinion. Many of these "mods" may be able to be corrected in the paperwork but some may have to be "undone" This could be expensive if for instance you have an engine that isn't approved for the airframe. If you have a particular plane in mind and have any questions about it I am sure someone on this forum could answer any questions that arise. (the Type Certificate Data Sheet is a great place to start if you have questions on certain configurations.)

[Nigel]

Re: Newbie...A quick question

Thanks for the help.

I'm off to see what I can find.