Taylor Sport receives SLSA certification

[mikerice]

The Taylor Sport received SLSA (Special Light Sport Aircraft) certification from the San Antonio MIDO on January 9, 2006. The first Taylorcraft built in Texas was fabricated by Taylorcraft Aviation employees in the new factory in Brownsville, TX.

The factory was moved from La Grange, TX to Brownsville, TX and the city of Brownsville welcomed Taylorcraft Aviation at a city council meeting July 5th, 2005. Construction of the first aircraft started soon thereafter and first flight was November 4, 2005.

SLSA certification of the Taylor Sport on January 9, 2006 is the capstone achievement of a dedicated band of employees. The leadership of Harry and Darlene Ingram resulted in a factory move and the first certified Taylorcraft SLSA aircraft in 6 months time.

[dewhitaker]

Re: Taylor Sport receives SLSA certification

Congratulations to all! That is great news! Wishing the Taylorcraft company much more success.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Taylor Sport receives SLSA certification

That is great news! Mike are you working at the factory. Can we use this as the gospel from the factory? Tell us about about Aerolearn.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Taylor Sport receives SLSA certification

Please tell me too. I would love to finally get some Taylorcraft specific training in return for working at the factory.
Mike, my plane flies great, how do I get the gap seals back to you?? Contact me by E-Mail if you want to talk to me off group. Brie

[VictorBravo]

Re: Taylor Sport receives SLSA certification

Please tell me too. I would love to finally get some Taylorcraft specific training in return for working at the factory.
Mike, my plane flies great, how do I get the gap seals back to you?? Contact me by E-Mail if you want to talk to me off group. Brie

Uhhh...gap seals...? Would you care to expand on that a bit, for the benefit of any old broken down and washed up glider pilots like myself

[selje]

Re: Taylor Sport receives SLSA certification

What do you think about the Taylor Sport having a useful load of 430 lbs? With full tanks (42 gal X 6 lb/gal =252 lbs) the remaining useful load is 178 lbs.

Why did they not make the Taylor Sport as a new BC12-D with a 912S engine and a 6 gal tank in each wing and thus have a more reasonable useful load with full fuel?

[mikerice]

Re: Taylor Sport receives SLSA certification

Like all A/C, the LSA Taylor Sport is a tradeoff. It is also the first ship and I would expect some changes as it matures. Just because the fuel tanks are big, does not mean you have to fly with full fuel, but some people like the 6-8 hours of range. A lot of people do not like the alternative of 2x6 gallons with no header tank (LSA rules prohibit fuel in the fuselage, so no header tank). A new tank will happen eventually with approx. 12 gallon in each wing, I think.

I have suggested the 912 as a likely engine candidate at the factory, but there a lot of traditionalists who do not like how they sound. At a 100lbs less and 1/2 the size of the 0200, they are worth a look.

I personally would like a carbon fiber cowl with a sharper, low drag shape, but how many others would pay for that mod? I am not sure carbon fiber keeps the LSA cost down... and it sure would not look like a Taylorcraft any more. I have a BC12D that will be rebuilt soon. I may use it as test article for some new ideas.