New to Flying

[jdlowrey]

I have long been interested in learning to fly and recently took a step towards achieveing that goal with the purchase of a BC-12. As a zero time pilot/student I have several questions that I would like to ask which I will probably leave for future posts. My main question here is, is the Taylorcraft a good airplane to learn to fly in?

I have been reading many of the posts in this forum with great interest and in some cases unease which is giving me second thoughts.

[taylorcraft078]

It is a great plane to learn in. It was very educational for me to hop in mine as a 70 hour Cessna 150 pilot. I learned a lot real fast :-). Seriously, you are in a plane that many folks soloed in less than 10 hours. It will work fine.

The only thing that I can think of that may trip you up is the electronic navigation requirement for the check ride. If you can get away with a hiking GPS you are in business. Otherwise you may need a spam can to get a VOR.

Dave
N36078 '41 BC-12-65

[jgerard]

Think of it this way - you don't have to rent a worn out c150 for $60 an hour and since you have limited flying experience you have nothing to compare it too. Starting from scratch the t-cart is much simpler and will let you concentrate on learning the art of flying since you always are flying tail wheel airplanes even when on the ground, (see my report on bringing my t-cart home from NY in the "3-days from owning my first Taylorcraft" thread) it will make you a better pilot in the long run.

Jason
N43643

[Brady]

You won't regret having your own plane

Plenty of folks learned how to fly in Taylorcrafts during the 40's and 50's. So...you know it can be done.

I suspect if you run into any problems at all, it will be in trying to find an instructor who can teach you in it. Not too many of them these days instruct in tail draggers and many young CFIs haven't flown anything but a "spam can" anyway. I'd pick an instructor carefully. If you are based in Alaska, you'll have an easier time finding a competent tailwheel instructor than in most parts of the Lower 48.

The real learning comes when you are out there flying on your own. You won't regret buying a Taylorcraft. Once you start flying it solo, whether you have the license or not, you'll never want to deal with an FBO or Aero Club again. Don't be in a big hurry to start taking everyone up flying with you. Fying a little fabric taildragger is a religious experience (best experienced alone in my humble opinion). There's not much better then pulling your own aircraft out of the hangar at dawn and heading out for the day--to wherever the hell you want to go--and not having to ask anyone else's permission (or opinion) about it.

You may end up having to take some or all of your training in a rented plane. It may not all be a positive experience for you--but, having that T-craft to look forward to will make it all worth it.

Good Luck,
Brady

[Hank Jarrett]

Almost ALL of my training has been in the Taylorcraft and it's a great plane to learn in. You will keep learning as long as you fly her. The first 3 hours in my log are in a Beach 99 King Air at night in actual instrument conditions. Kind of rattled my tail dragger instructor. He asked where my FIRST log was.
The other nice thing is when you are done getting your ticket you have an airplane YOU OWN. Kind of like the difference between renting a house and buying one. The value of your Taylorcraft will go UP not down and money spent on a rented plane is gone forever.
Hank


By the way, I still have just 3 hours of nose dragger time in my log.

[Steve Long]

I haven't been to Bethel in a long time, but there should be some tailwheel instructors out there with all the 180's/185's they fly in the bush. If you get to Anchorage with your plane, Heidi Ruess is a great instructor as is her son and husband. They have two T-Craft and use them to instruct in. Good luck with your new plane. I too think you can't go wrong by owning your own and learning to fly in it. Steve

[jgerard]

everyone would probably agree that finding the right instructor is more important than what type of plane you learn to fly in.

Jason
n43643

[jdlowrey]

Thanks for all the quick responses, I really appreciate all of the information. There are many numerous qualified instructors in the Bethel area as well as a newly opened flight school. As my airplane is currently in New Jersey, most of my flight training will be this summer when a pilot buddy of mine and I fly it up here.

Jeff

[mhorowit]

I'd like to add my .02 in support of owning.
When I rented, it was for a time slice; usually 2 hours. Pre flights had to be rushed because they cut into time in the air; I had to get back in time for the next guy.

Owning is an entirely different experience.
I can go out anytime, and if I wish, just lean up against the gear and sit; I can take my time fueling it from cans I filled at a local CITCO station; I do a leisurely pre-flight; I enjoy allowing the engine to come up to operating temp before applying more throttle; I'll taxi the length of the taxiway and remember how it feels on the ground, then come back to the runway for TO.
I can stay aloft as long as I wish. No one is waiting for me and I don't feel rushed.

I enjoy putzing around with her.

Yep. Nice.

[Forrest Barber]

bye gosh there is hope for you yet! It sure is GREAT! now I have 23 ships to fly , live on the airport, don't set an alarm clecok & get paid to fly once in a while! God Bless General Aviation....