Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

[Flynlow]

A Taylorcraft came up for sale for around $12K at my field and a friend asked me to look at it and see if I would recommend it for him to buy. It's a flying airplane, but needs a little cosmetic TLC.

I'm only 38 years old, but sometimes I get around like an old man. I had kidney cancer and between that surgery and an old football injury to my hip, it takes me a little more effort to climb into a plane than some. I wouldn't say I'm much worse than most though.

I'd heard about T-crafts being harder to get into that some of it's peers, so I thought I'd try it myself. Not good. I tried several ways to get in. I put my foot on the step and tried putting my head up toward the windshield like I used to climb into a Decathlon, but my shoulder hit the door frame. I tried sitting on the seat and pulling my legs in, but that didn't work. I tried putting my right foot in first like I do on the Chief, but then the bar across the door was in the way. The only way I could get in was to lay across the seat completely, then pull in my legs. This doesn't work for me because when I have a passenger I want them strapped in before I prop the plane.

How do you get in?? Is there a trick I'm missing? Once inside I felt right at home. I'd heard the T-Craft had worse visibility that others over the nose and out of the side windows, but I don't agree. It was a nice fit for me and I'm 6' 220lbs.

Lastly, I don't know a lot of details about this plane. It's owned by a guy in his seventies whose diabetes has stolen the gift of aviation from him. If my friend doesn't turn out to be interested, I'll post it here to help him out. He doesn't strike me as an internet type of guy.

[DPKII]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

Its not so bad once you get a system that works for you. A lot will depend on your physical size, but here is what works for me.

Getting into left seat - Left foot on step, left hand on upper door frame tubing, right knee bent. Lean into the cabin with your head and shoulders. Use your left hand and foot to scoot your backside on to the seat with your right knee bent and moving into the cabin. I also usually start with my right hand on the diagaonal door brace but move it to the seat as I slide in. Try to do it in one smooth motion.

I hope this helps.

Thanks,
David

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

My technique is to stand butt toward the seat with my left heel on the foot peg. Hands grab whatever is comfortable and I pull myself in whilst bending forward like a jacknife. Sounds dumb, but it works fine.

[Pearson]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

When I am getting into the left side, I put my right foot inside on the floor. Then I duck my head under the upper edge of the door opening, reach in as far as I can with my right arm and grab one of the tubes in the windshield. Using my right arm I pull my butt over the scrotum bar and then just pull my left leg in.

[M Towsley]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

This was shown to me by the owner of my first BC-12D. It is the back-in method and has worked well for either side. Back up to the door and I keep it open with your shoulder. Right foot on the step, right hand on the strut, left hand on the cross bar near the seat, (the bar that partially blocks your entry). Then push with your left leg, right arm, left arm and pop yourself up into the seat. Remember to keep your head down to clear the entryway. Once in, just pivot around. Half the battle is keeping the door out of your way while doing this but it is not heavy and can be pushed away a couple of times while doing this.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

If you want to sit in the left seat, try getting through the right hand door, bass-ackwards, and then slide across the bench seat until your feet are in the cabin....then you can swivel to face the front.

It certainly works for those occasions I need to get elder or more infirm passengers into the left seat.

Vice versa for getting them into the RHS.

[M Jones]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

My method entering on the left: Left foot on the step facing the opening, grab the steel tube of the seat back (not the wooden baggage sling frame! I finally fixed that for the last time...) duck head and shoulders in while also moving the right foot angled left to just inside of the cockpit, rotate butt to right while letting go of the bar in the right hand and set down. Then if you're 6' or more tall, and your left knee is in pretty good shape, you can grab the ankle and attempt to pull in your left leg without doing much permanent damage.

Not really as bad as it sounds. We should make and post videos. It should be pretty informative and entertaining...

[TreeTopFlier]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

I don't bend very well, so I do it a little different. Left foot on step, reach up and grab one of the windsheild braces......pull myself up into the cabin and put my right knee in the seat. Then I can lift my left leg in and onto the floor. Then just twist around facing forward and put my right foot down on the floor.....Simple....right ?...With a little pratice it becomes pretty easy (I am only 5'5"), that helps..... >> Also, being short is a real advantage in a T-craft. When I turn my head left and right....I have a great view under each wing. When a 6' + friend flies with me....he has to duck down slightly to see anything but "wing-root".......................Don in SC

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

I posted this years ago after someone else asked about getting in and out and the old "why a Taylorcraft" question. I still need to find the "entry" instructions I wrote first. This is actually how to get back out alive (you will need to figure that out soon after getting in). Just as an aside, I have three herniated disks in my back and two blown out knees. I get in and out fine (but I am BIG and had to develop the technique). I never have ANY problems getting in or out any more.
OK when I had to get in upside down to work on the bottom of the panel and check out the fuel cut off. Now THAT was funny! Took a lot of help to get me out that time and I had the bruises to prove it. Recently I needed to replace the fuel cut off. I pulled the engine, boot cowl, windshield and fuel tank. It was easier and I bled less.


I took all my training in my 41 BC-12-65 and I was 6'3" 220# at the time with an over 200# WELL over 6' instructor. Once we got the boarding process worked out the only problem was the one not flying really needed to put their inside arm around the one at the controls. That meant no fast corrections on the engine controls. It was never a problem. He didn't make power mistakes and I did what he told me when I did. If that causes a problem you have the wrong instructor, not the wrong plane.
As for visibility, all the old taildragers SUCK! Don't worry about it. You get used to it very fast. The first thing you learn is to lift a wing before you turn. It's second nature in no time. I fly sailplanes too and EVERYTHING feels blind after that big bubble canopy. Want a REAL shock? Try going from an F-16 to a modern airliner! In the Falcon you feel like you are going to fall out of the cockpit. In an airliner it's like looking at the world through toilet paper tubes. I actually like the visibility in my Taylorcraft and it isn't a problem at all (even after sailplanes). When I get my 41 back up I am really looking forward to driving to the airport for a quick flight to the sailplane field for a day of soaring, followed by the flight back to the car.
Now for the BIG one. Taylorcrafts use "Hemingway" starters (you know, he wrote "A Farewell to Arms"). If you are going to fly Taylorcrafts, you need to learn to hand prop. That IS NOT a problem! It's perfectly safe when done right. The danger is when anyone ELSE wants to help you prop. Unless you know from PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with the person, NEVER let someone else prop your plane. Blood and body parts REALLY mess up the paint!
The last thing is the graceful exit. For us big guys it takes a while to learn. When I first bought mine my method was to open the door, lean left, and land on the ramp like a fist full of wet mortar (usually with at least one foot still tangled with the seat belt inside the cockpit). The step does a BRUTAL left jab to the kidney on impact often resulting in wet pants to top off the display. After getting your leg free, crawl away from the fuselage and drag yourself to your feet. DON'T use the struts to pull yourself up! This whole show is particularly entertaining to the two guys in suits sitting at the airport café watching the landings. You know, the guys wearing the white ball caps with the dark blue "FAA" on the front. Just tell them you are drunk. They never know how to handle that.
Seriously (yes I did fall out of the cockpit the first time, but the FAA wasn't there) just get some pointers from the previous owner. His method won't work for you, but he WILL help you figure it out quickly and won't laugh (to hard) at you, he wants your money.
No joke this time, your girlfriend WILL put on a great show if she enters or exits in a skirt. The only solution to that one is to stand by the door and discreetly block the "view" or warn her ahead of time ( which will have her ASKING for you to "help her exit gracefully". Don't drop her. She won't think it's funny. If she flys already she won't have a problem.
Final word, if you do get a Taylorcraft you will really fall in love. They are the best buy for the money around. It flys a lot like a 2-33 with fuel fired lift and I like them so much I bought two!
Hank

Get a hangar and store it inside, whatever you buy.

[Carrieve]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

When I am getting into the left side, I put my right foot inside on the floor. Then I duck my head under the upper edge of the door opening, reach in as far as I can with my right arm and grab one of the tubes in the windshield. Using my right arm I pull my butt over the scrotum bar and then just pull my left leg in.

Richard I have done that for years and it has even worked when I flew with a skirt on. Albeit a short one.

[jim cooper]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

I'm 6 foot even, 195 lbs. At 75 yrs. I use the back in method. Like others, left heel on exterior foot rest, back into cockpit using struts for balance with my hands. Slide further in, grab window bars, pull myself upright, swivel both feet to rudder pedals. Quick and easy. Once in I have no problem with seeing out, visability, while not like a Champ or Super Cub is quite good. Very easy, fun,simple airplane to fly. IE: Last weekend the son of a pal of mine arrived at the airport to see my T-Craft. The son is a commercial pilot who flys a King Air 200 and has about 4000 hours. He soloed and learned in a Citabria 150hp, 15 years ago. Had not flown a taildragger much since then. I told him to get in and fly it around some, telling him to cross the numbers at 60, be sure and use carb heat and told him to have fun. He took it up ,stalled it, did some three sixtys, then made three perfect landings, 2 three point, one wheel landing never using over half of the 2000' asphalt runway. On one three point he touched down PERFECTLY and the 2nd was almost as good. He agreed it was no Citabria but fun none the less. JC

[M Towsley]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

Hey Mike,

I am probably going out to the hangar tomorrow, it is supposed to be warm, rainy and windy. I will take my flip video camera and try to take some outside and inside shots.

[cvavon]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

WoW I jest went threw this with the tire change on 600 tires no problem 26in different story after 4 or 5 aborted tries and half the airport laughing there ass off i finally climb on the right tire with the door open all the way to the cowl put right knee on the seat and pull the rest in and slide over would use left side but that door has venturie and does not open as far

[Flynlow]

Re: Climbing Into a Taylorcraft

Wow, thanks for all of the great responses. I currently fly an Aeronca Chief, just looking at this plane for a friend. We all give each other a poke in the ribs about the type of planes we fly, but in reality we're all flying antique planes and are one big group. Comparing the Chief with the Taylorcraft is pretty easy, they're very similar. The Chief is much easier to get into, the Taylorcraft is quite a bit faster. The visibility is about the same in my opinion. The Chief seems a little wider inside. I make the comparisons because my friend who is interested in the T-Craft has only flown in one old plane, the Chief.

I've always loved the look of a Taylorcraft and one might be in my future - maybe a clipped wing! I'm impressed with the great following and support on this forum. You're a nice group of guys. I'm heading back to the airport this weekend to try some of the methods you described.