Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

    Started a thread a week ago saying that 20407 had finally taken to the air. What a GREAT feeling to finally be flying my own plane. Lifelong dream accomplished at 50!

    Test flight went well with the only issue being the need for heavy right rudder. That was easily corrected by reinstalling the original trim tab....which was spot on in the next flight. After the initial test flight the Wx turned to crap for (2) weeks, with no opportunities to fly. We finally got a break and I flew her alone for the first time last Saturday after waiting 2 hrs for the fog to lift. Headed south to Palmyra(88C) but was quickly forced down to <500ft. Turned a 180 north and headed up to Hartford(HXF) to shoot some grass landings. Was lucky enough to have both Steve Krog and Tom Hegy there. I asked Tom to take 20407 up to get his thoughts on trim. He came back with a report that it flew very well and was ever so slightly left wing heavy. I later took this out with a half turn of the right strut adjustment. I flew again last night for 1 1/2hrs and had a blast. Flew down to 88C and shot several grass landings. Maybe it's just luck, but landings are going very well so far. Hopefully this weekend will allow for more flying.

    Attached are some pix. The fuselage is still GradeA cotton that tests strong. I just re-doped and did a quick paint on the cowls. Fuse is not very pretty...but it's FLYING! I will recover and restore the fuse(back to open cowl) when the fabric fails someday.

    A heartfelt thanx to all of you on the list who have helped with parts, knowledge and encouragement for the last 5 years.
    Attached Files
    MIKE CUSHWAY
    1938 BF50 NC20407
    1940 BC NC27599
    TF#733

  • #2
    Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

    Thanks for the pics! Congratulations! She looks great! I really like that curved exhaust and the color is nice, too. Classic basic trainer colors, eh? I'm glad to hear it's flying well. I know that has to be a great feeling.

    Josh


    Bashibazouk AKA Josh Brehm
    BL-65 #1705
    TF #910
    NC47~ South Oaks Aerodrome
    EAA 1423
    Winterville, NC

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

      Congrats Mike!! Now...go have FUN!!!!!
      I'm so far behind, I think I'm ahead

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

        Great job Mike ... in the air is where they belong. Aren't these fun airplanes?

        Blue Skies,

        Rod

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

          Steve may never let me rent a Cub again if he reads this....but the Taylorcraft seems soooo much more agile than the Cub. I was practicing slips last night and having a ball. I could get it to drop like a rock and stay spot on centerline.

          To be honest, I was really itmidated to fly 20407 alone for the first time. I am a 100hr pilot with 75 of that in a Cub. I was really excited to find that my first several landings have ranged from "glad I'm alone" to great. I really look forward to gaining proficiency in the Taylorcraft.
          MIKE CUSHWAY
          1938 BF50 NC20407
          1940 BC NC27599
          TF#733

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

            Congrats Mike. Flying a Taylorcraft is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. I'd like to know what size tires you have on the plane?
            Don

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

              850's
              MIKE CUSHWAY
              1938 BF50 NC20407
              1940 BC NC27599
              TF#733

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

                Mike,
                NOT VERY PRETTY!!!! Dems FIGHTING WORDS! She is beautiful. I wish my baby was as far along. I'm going out and drip sweat on mine tomorrow morning. Yours looks GREAT!
                Hank

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

                  I still have some work to do. I have to mount the gear fairings and then make and mount the wing root fairings. Kind of suprised that even with those big 'ol 850's hanging out, I am getting 95 indicated. Makes the ground go by pretty fast compared to the Cub.
                  MIKE CUSHWAY
                  1938 BF50 NC20407
                  1940 BC NC27599
                  TF#733

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

                    Excellent Mike! Thanks for the pictures. Look forward to meeting up with you in the air, sometime soon I hope. More time to spend on the Pietenpol now I'll bet huh?
                    Mike
                    NC29624
                    1940 BC65

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

                      Great Mike. I will look you up when I come to West Bend with my BC12D. I come from up near Superior to visit my daughter in West Bend.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

                        Great job Mike. You should be proud. Come see me some time. Bring along Mike Jones. George
                        TF# 702 Don't be afraid to try something new. Remember amatuers built the ark, professionals built the titanic!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

                          Hi Mike,
                          It does look like the trainers in some old ad books I have--very nice-aint it great to fly something you put all that TLC into.
                          Buell Powell TF#476
                          1941 BC12-65 NC29748
                          1946 Fairchild 24 NC81330

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

                            Congrats, Mike... have a ball!
                            Terry Bowden, formerly TF # 351
                            CERTIFIED AERONAUTICAL PRODUCTS, LLC
                            Consultant D.E.R. Powerplant inst'l & Engines
                            Vintage D.E.R. Structures, Electrical, & Mechanical Systems
                            BC12D, s/n 7898, N95598
                            weblog: Barnstmr's Random Aeronautics
                            [email protected]

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: NC20407 TAKES TO THE AIR (Rev-2)

                              Got a little over (5) hrs of flying in this last weekend. Trimmed her yesterday to fly hands off for a couple minutes. Took my daughter for her first Taylor-B ride. She loved it and wants to continue lessons in it.
                              Attached Files
                              MIKE CUSHWAY
                              1938 BF50 NC20407
                              1940 BC NC27599
                              TF#733

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X