Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

[DanBrown]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

How about adjusting the power for a 200 fpm decent at 55 indicated for a nice simulated sailplane.

One of my best soaring experiences in a power ac was when I had an Aero Commander 200D (Meyers design) based in Morrisville, VT. One winter morining just after a cold front passage, I filed IFR to Hartford, CT. After punching through a broken layer and on top at 8000 in smooth air, I saw a series of(;f lenticular clouds in the lee of the Green Mountains with the snow covered peaks coming through the lower clouds. Center allowed me direct Hartford, so I searched for the wave and quickly found it in smooth air. 15 inches of MP and 1500 rpm -- just enough to keep the engine warm and flying level at 200 mph indicated at 8000'. The clouds, mountains an lift ran out when the Greens ended, so a VFR descent to Bradley ended a great flight. http://vb.taylorcraft.org/new/dance.gif

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

There is also a condition called Cloud Streets where Cues line up for many miles. It usually happens close to the coast where the clouds pop as the air hits the change in surface temperature at the coast. I flew from Hampton Roads Executive to Kitty Hawk with another good size buddy in very loose section with a C-150. The Cessna had 35 more ponies and only one skinny guy in it but he could only stay up with us a couple hundred feet lower. When he tried to climb he fell way behind. When he put the nose down to catch up he ended up way below us. It was a riot talking to him when he couldn't figure out how we were outperforming him. He wanted to look in the cowl when we landed.
The trick was we were flying under the cloud street in steady lift and he was in the sink side of the mini rotor. Never did tell him how we did it. Just suggested he get some sailplane instruction, smiled and walked away.
If you want to learn how to be a better stick, get some glider training. It's fun, will improve your flying and really takes any fear of an engine failure away. One of the first things you learn is how to "land out" and walk away. The plane may get bent, but there aren't many places you can't survive the landing if you keep your head in a Taylorcraft.
Hank

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

I have done it. A Taylorcraft is NO sailplane. I also flew a Schweitzer 2-22 and they flew about the same, a GLIDER, not a sailplane.
If you want to try it (and it is a blast) do not shut the engine down! Throttle back to where you aren't generating any thrust or drag and look for a Cue with a nice flat bottom. Turn into the wing that bumps up first and have fun. The cumulus clouds will cycle from flat bottom to a bit ragged as the virga start shredding out of the bottom and that means the lift is falling apart. Watch for another flat bottom that is cycling up and fly to it. It's great for increasing your fuel economy as long as you aren't actually trying to get anywhere.
Hank
Don't forget to keep the engine clear. A Taylorcraft doesn't land out nearly as well as a 2-22!

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

Has anyone tried riding thermals in their T-Craft. Although I rode as a passenger in a two place sailplane one time appx 20 years ago, I have not been in a glider since, and have not received any glider training, therefore I don't know how to go about riding a thermal and be able to climb to any significant altitude with power at idle. I don't know if the T-Craft has a low enough wing loading or if it is possible but I am fascinated by the possibility.

Frank DeBartolo
N43684

[Carrieve]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

Hi guys, In responce to the Tcraft "float". I have entered Spot Landing contests at fly in's and lost everytime. I slip as much as possible until about 10' up and then straighten it out and everything works out. Usually....

[VictorBravo]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

I fully understand the "volume control" comment. On a hot day and a heavy airplane, the volume changes and the airplane doesn't climb any faster. The key is speeding up and getting on the correct side of the drag curve. A T-craft will climb at 70 mph a lot better than it will at 60 under some circumstances. Under others, 60 will give you a rocket and 70 will simply be 3/4 of a rocket.

[flyguy]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

Yeah, I wondered about the volume control comment. Maybe he was thinking of a cub, HO HO.
My 12D-85 gets off about as fast as I can keep up with it, and will do 850 ft/min without even trying very hard.
Don't know what he meant by that part of his comments.
Darryl

[blakecarl]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

Trying to get caught up after trips to Oshkosh and the Boundary Waters during the last three weeks. Lots of fun but also lots of catching up to do.

Joel, thank you for introducing yourself after the Davisson forum and for taking the time to answer all of my questions. Just to keep the facts straight, it's actually a BC12-65 we are proud new owners of.

I wasn't sure how to take Budd's "flying a maple seed" comment. It's probably just his way of illustrating the fact the a T-craft has a low wing loading and because of this can be susceptible to floating down the runway unless handled properly.

What I had hoped for was more specific information about rudder and or brake control on a T-craft. During his presentation he stated that rudders on some aircraft have a "dead zone". I was curious if this was the case on a T-craft.

What about his comment regarding the throttle being mostly a volume control? I'm by no means an experienced pilot--I just did my first solo last Thursday, three 3-point landings with no bounces!--but the two CFI's I've worked with have both commented how our 65 hp T-craft takes off better than the 100 hp Champ based at the field.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

I found out that the Model A is easier to enter than my "B" too bad they "improved" the entry door to the BC12D. :beerchug:

[n6346m]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

You know if Mr. Taylor had been 6' 4" it really would have been
the greatest light plane ever. They are cramped and have poor
visiblity but I love them anyways !! :yahoo::yahoo: Just think
when the early Taylorcrafts were built they where 20 mph faster
than the competion (same hp of course) . And there were no
Interstates ,many narrow two lane highways and even gravel roads,
and the T-craft was truly an effecient and fast small business man's plane.
I had a good friend that was a T-Craft dealer and delivered them
around the U.S. , He flew for hire people to various locations in
small towns in Texas and OK. when many people where still driving
model A's to get places on dirt roads. He would of times land in an
open field and just let them out at the old farm place. The T-craft
was helpful in bringing in the modern age of aviation and doesn't get
the credit it deserves IMO.....and in fairness too.....ever try to get
your 6' 1" fat ass into the front seat of the J-3 Cub ? Or even the
back seat for that matter ! HA!

That's what I like about my L2-B. It flies like a a T-craft, has great visibility, I don't share my seat with anyone and, as a plus, it has " STICKS".:tup:

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

I AM 6'3" and about 213# (as of this morning). I have pretty much got the entry and exit down pat and can slink into the 41 T as smooth as butter. Of course I drive a Mazda Miata as my daily car, have a 71 Triumph GT-6 in the garage and have never been claustrophobic.
Wouldn't trade the Taylorcraft for a brand new Mooney. Where the heck do I need to go that fast?
It would have been nice if Mr. T had been over 6'. The top of the side window would have been at eye level and I wouldn't have to fly with my arm around the passenger. It's GREAT when it's my wife, not so good when it's one of the Ramp Rats up for a ride. Glad when it's MY arm up on a hot day! If the passenger is small and nice, the right hand falls to some nice places.:rolleyes2:
Hank

[jim cooper]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

I totally agree with Budd Davisson! Sometimes everyone is watching when I make a big blunder. 1985, Ocean City Maryland, wind from 2 oclock at about 12. ASPHALT. Stearman is looking good! flare and go for 3 point landing, bounce, catch it with the throttle, but....bounce again, and again...finally get the wing low enough and Stearman settles down. At gas pump, flight instructor standing there says "give me your log book I'll sign it for six landings!" 6-8 people watching. Later at New Garden Pa., I watched an airline captain hop rides on a windy day in a Stearman. He wheel landed it PERFECTLY each time (at least 10 times) A real pro.JC

[flylo]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

I can always tell when I do a perfect landing no one is in sight. When I don't do a good landing the whole crowds watching. Every single time!:tup:

[ClipWing_T]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

You know if Mr. Taylor had been 6' 4" it really would have been
the greatest light plane ever. They are cramped and have poor
visiblity but I love them anyways !! :yahoo::yahoo: Just think
when the early Taylorcrafts were built they where 20 mph faster
than the competion (same hp of course) . And there were no
Interstates ,many narrow two lane highways and even gravel roads,
and the T-craft was truly an effecient and fast small business man's plane.
I had a good friend that was a T-Craft dealer and delivered them
around the U.S. , He flew for hire people to various locations in
small towns in Texas and OK. when many people where still driving
model A's to get places on dirt roads. He would of times land in an
open field and just let them out at the old farm place. The T-craft
was helpful in bringing in the modern age of aviation and doesn't get
the credit it deserves IMO.....and in fairness too.....ever try to get
your 6' 1" fat ass into the front seat of the J-3 Cub ? Or even the
back seat for that matter ! HA!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Budd Davisson quip about Taylorcrafts at Oshkosh

Reminds me of a great quote.
"Socialism is the perfect form of government, too bad there are no perfect people to live under it."

For us it's,

"The Taylorcraft is the perfect airplane, lucky for us there are a few perfect pilots around to fly them."

Wish I was one of them. All of my landings would all be perfect. It's not the plane, it's the pilot.
Hank