Taylorcraft Factory Gathering; La Grange Texas May 21 & 22

[barnstmr]

Harry Ingram reported that plans are under way to bring the proposed Taylorcraft Museum in LaGrange into reality.

One of the highlights of the fly-in was the announcement by the owner of this beautiful Model A (Fritz) that his airplane will be donated for display at the museum. What a great gesture of goodwill toward a fine cause. And what a beautiful little airplane to get the museum off the ground.

[barnstmr]

Mike - Lee - Jim
Glad to hear y'all made it home safely. Thanks for coming to Texas and helping to make the fly-in a success. It was a pleasure to meet y'all. (emphasis on Texan accent)

[jrzangger]

Post Fly-In Thoughts

We had planned to have two more planes in our flight from Iowa, but as everyone knows, the weather was a bit rough last week. Lee and I are fortunate to not have had any damage to our homes while gone and the weather for our entire round trip was actually quite nice other than the strong headwinds going down. We actually thought Texas was repelling us!

My plane has been finished a few years and, fortunately, I'm not in the need of any new parts at the time. So my knowledge of the start up of the new Taylorcraft factory was limited to what I read on this site. With the previous owners history of start ups, I was only cautiously optomistic about the future of the new factory. After this past weekend's experience, however, I am VERY confident of the future of Taylorcraft under Harry's leadership. The FAA has issued the final authorization for production as of May 11, and Harry will light up the torch and begin aircraft completions in short order. I was particularly pleased to learn there is a strong desire to bring back the BC12-D/F-19 as the Sport Plane ruling goes into affect.

There were thirteen Taylorcrafts in attendance counting Randy Henderson's clip wing. Unfortunately many people had left and were not able to see Randy's show Sunday morning.

We met a lot of genuinely nice people and all had a great time.

The factory is the large building on the left. Taxiways will be constructed to the runway.

[David Price]

The TTFF was a moment in time and history that shall not be forgotten by thoes who were there!

For the great reception given by HARRY INGRAM and his entire staff, thank you for all your efforts to bringing "LIFE" back to the "TAYLORCRAFT" thru love and hard work.

What a great pleasure and honor it was to meet and talk with ROBERT and SCOTT TAYLOR. Their home movie of C.G. and the first "CHUMMY" in 1927 was a real added extra.

While there I tried to get thoes who were present to sign a hard back copy of Mr. Cheet Peeks' book. If i missed any T-owners ( past or present) who were there and did not sign the book and would like to, please let me know.
On Monday morning I stopped in and left the book for all of the factory workers to sign also.

Looking forward to getting all signatures.

Q:
May 11 2004 - what happened on this date?

[jrzangger]

Bigger picture!

How's this?

[Brady]

Didn't sign your book

I left around 2:00 pm Saturday. My oldest son, Connor, and I camped there on the airport Friday night. We had fun, but needed to get back home by dinner time Saturday.

I had the red/black F-19 that was parked on the runway side of the ramp near the north end of the row. I think we were pulling out just as everybody was lining up aircraft for that fine picture on a previous post.

Brady

[jrzangger]

Lee and I on the way to LaGrange.

[David Price]

Brady, as soon as it arrives back from the factory, I'll send it to you for signing. Need address!

Was sorry that Chet Peek was unable to be there as was planned. Hope he well and doing fine.

"LOVE AIR"

[Chet Peek]

Factory Fly In

David, I am fine and sorry also that I could not attend. Another commitment made it impossible. I did get to visit there in February at the Stits covering school.
Am flying my DC-65 every decent day, (which means no gale winds.)

[David Price]

Chet,
Glad to hear that you are in the air!
With your permission I would like have your signature in book that I had at the factory in La Grange.
Spoke with Rachel this morning and she said that all of the Texas factory workers, have now signed it also!

Forest, Mr. Lees, Bruce, Stormman, who's next?

The objective is to get as many people who are owners and/or associated with TAYLORCRAFTS and it history to sign this book; as a part of it's history and one day to be in the TAYLORCRAFT MUSEUM.

Mr. Robert Taylor did confirm that they were no relation to Mr. Molt Taylor, but did have occasion to visit here with Molt,
serveral times.

Thank you, Chet!

[Robert Lees]

David:

the next Grand Event is (I think) Alliance, thread here so get that book there and I am sure all present will sign it.

Better still, bring it along yourself.

Rob

[David Price]

That was the plan in the begining, untill me engine started makin' metal. As soon as she back in the air I'll be on the prowl with the book. Hope to fill it up TAYLORCRAFT people and places.

There are the wonderful Northwest Taylorcraft Assocation and the Northwest Antique Aircraft Club of Evergreen, WA. where the great Wally Olson taught and owned TAYLORCRAFTS. The NWAAC
is now in the process of restoring Wallys old T-craft.

See ya soon!

[Victor Gisclair]

Great Time

I enjoyed my trip to the factory and meeting all the great T-Craft people. I got back home in Louisiana at about 1400 hrs. It took me 4.8 hours. Great flying. I went to 7500 ft on the way back and it was nice and smooth. It great to own a T-Craft

[Pinyon-nut]

Flight to La Grange

Howdy,
Just some notes on my flight to La Grange.
My 9 year old daughter and I Left Erie, CO 3 hours late on Friday due to low overcast and fog.
Forecast headwinds of 20-25 knots. Flew to La Junta, refueled and Pottie break. Pounded by turbulence accross the canyons of SE CO and the Panhandles. Entering the pattern on the Crosswind at Dalhart TX, (winds 15 gusting to24) I watched a MC Osprey get blown about 150 feet off the runway by a wind gust. Needless to say I had a very tight grip on the seat cushion and very active feet as I came down final. Taxi to a hanger as I was done for the day after 6 hours in the air. The winds forecast was right.

Sat morning in the air by 6am. Beautiful sunrise, Same winds.
Stopped in Plainview TX for a quick fuel and Pottie break, winds 14 gusting to 20.
left Plainview climbed to 9500 air smooth but headwinds of about 25 knots. About 1.5 hours out clouds becoming solid, so drop down to about 1500agl.
About 40 minutes nw of austin I open valve to right wing tank and watch the fuel guage procede to move from 1/4 to E. Close Valve and immediately turn to the closest airport. Get my yellow bird on the ground with only 1.5 gallons in the main tank.
IMPORTANT LESSON.... ALWAYS CHECK YOUR CAPS AFTER FUELING. Right wing tank cap was put on backwards, was siphoning fuel from main tank when valve was opened.
I know better, but was late and in a hurry. Bet my life I don't do that again.

Arrived in La Grange about 3:30pm local. 8 hours flying on Sat. My daughter was a Trooper and GREAT flying BUDDY.
So much for my estimated 10 hour trip.
Missed the BBQ but sure enjoyed seeing all the beautiful TCRAFTS, and the factory.

Got stuck because of the TFR. Drove to my sisters house N of Austin for the night. Sun morning my bro in law drove me back to La Grange. Flew 40 min to Georgetown to give rides to my sis and her girls. On the last flight of the day10 mins S of Georgetown the old Cont 85 suddenly drops 900 rpm and sounds like it just swallowed an ICE CUBE. On with the carb heat, on to the radio, and thanks to everyone in the pattern at Georgetown, as I made a straight in downwind landing with several spectators.
Once on the Ground the ice left and the Yellow Bird sounded and ran great once again. I've never had that problem in CO. Course You don't see humidity like that here either.

Monday 6am Solid overcast 700'agl. Stuck at Georgetown till 12, when the clouds raise to 2000'agl. We're off and scudrunning to the NW for an hour till the overcast breaks. Clear running to Sweetwater for fuel and a late lunch. Good preflight (learned my lesson) and we're off with a strong tailwind back to Dalhart. when I can hear the AWOS the winds are 20 gusting to 30. AS I get closer the winds go UP. As I enter the pattern a quick wind check says 30 gusting to 39. My fuel situation wont allow an alternat that is any better. (I'm beginning to hate the TX panhandle). Once again I'm on Final at Dalhart with a tight grip on the seat cushion and active feet. Straight into the wind I land (or Hover) diagonally accross the runway, right to the hanger (thanks to MR. Ingam of Ingams Flying Service for opening the door for me.) 530pm local 5 hours of flying, done for the day.

Tuesday morning after a leisurly breakfast we launch about 9am. 2 hours to La Junta. Break for Fuel. 1130 off again 2 hours more to a landing South of Denver at Centennial because of a thunderstorm and low visability to the north.
After a nice (expensive) lunch we take off again 35 minutes to home sweet Hanger for my Sweet Yellow Bird. She's filthy, needs an oil change, and is beginning to run a lil rough. I enjoyed every minute of the almost 25 hours she carried us through the skies to La Grange and Back home to Erie CO. It will be a few days before I talk my Girl into joining me for another flight. She enjoyed it tho.

I'll plan on leaving a day earlier on the next gathering so I have more time to socialize and meet some of you guys.

Ron

[barnstmr]

RON,
What a story...and what perseverance. You and your daughter have shown some real Taylorcraft Foundation Spirit. We are glad you toughed out the adverse conditions to bring your nice bird. It was very nice meeting you. Perhaps next time we'll have more time to get acquainted. Glad you made it home safely.