PILOT SPIN
Pilot Zone => Pilot Zone => Topic started by: Anthony on April 09, 2020, 06:26:30 PM
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Maybe I just don't see them as much, but I use to see a lot of these growing up driving with my parents "down the shore" in south Jersey in the summers. Don't know if they still use a lot of them, but I saw a lot of them dusting crops.
Piper Pawnee
(https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.hBcbIy2UZcHTXROg8TywggHaFA&pid=Api&rs=1)
(http://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/0/2/8/1301820.jpg?v=v40)
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Got glider training by being towed behind a Piper Pawnee at this place (they sold the glider and no longer offer training at that wonderful grass strip):
http://www.kpflight.com/coburg.htm (http://www.kpflight.com/coburg.htm)
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There is a local guy that uses one to tow banners
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Yep, out in the deplorable country they still ply their trade as glider tows, banner tows and crop dusters.
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Yep, out in the deplorable country they still ply their trade as glider tows, banner tows and crop dusters.
They probably banned them in Jersey. ::)
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This was supposed to be a thread where others posted planes they don't see anymore. It's been a while since I've seen one of these.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7b/2a/3c/7b2a3c883054d188f2e208076439f14b.jpg)
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Early Bellancas, such as the Cruiseair and Cruisemaster.
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Early Bellancas, such as the Cruiseair and Cruisemaster.
Almost bought one. There are great deals out there.
(https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th/id/OIP.3nLUWGYvh43VuURgIPvgngHaD1?w=300&h=155&c=7&o=5&pid=1.7)
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Almost bought one. There are great deals out there.
(https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th/id/OIP.3nLUWGYvh43VuURgIPvgngHaD1?w=300&h=155&c=7&o=5&pid=1.7)
I've got some time in a Cruisemaster. It's a lot of airplane for the money, and a real joy to fly. Unfortunately a lot of them were bought cheap and maintained by cheap owners.
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In general, I guess it I because I am based at a paved, lit airport I rarely see tail draggers (conventional gear) anymore. The FBO used to have a Piper Cub to give tail wheel instruction, but they went bankrupt and a new FBO took over with only nose wheel aircraft. At some point, I may switch to low and slow and do as many grass fields as I can find, before they're all gone. This would be neat.
(http://www.airplanemart.com/aircraft-history-and-specification/photo/l_airplane_image/Silvaire-Luscombe-8E-N221VH.jpg)
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In general, I guess it I because I am based at a paved, lit airport I rarely see tail draggers (conventional gear) anymore. The FBO used to have a Piper Cub to give tail wheel instruction, but they went bankrupt and a new FBO took over with only nose wheel aircraft. At some point, I may switch to low and slow and do as many grass fields as I can find, before they're all gone. This would be neat.
(http://www.airplanemart.com/aircraft-history-and-specification/photo/l_airplane_image/Silvaire-Luscombe-8E-N221VH.jpg)
My first airplane was a Luscombe 8A.
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My first airplane was a Luscombe 8A.
Any advice should one go that route?
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Any advice should one go that route?
Great little plane, fast for the hp available. Can be a bit twitchy on TO and landing. It use to be said the Luscome was a great trainer to prepare for flying a Pitts.
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Great little plane, fast for the hp available. Can be a bit twitchy on TO and landing. It use to be said the Luscome was a great trainer to prepare for flying a Pitts.
I've heard that. Maybe a Citabria, Champ, or similar would be better???
(http://www.cruik.org/blog/Citabria/citabria.JPG)
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I've heard that. Maybe a Citabria, Champ, or similar would be better???
(http://www.cruik.org/blog/Citabria/citabria.JPG)
The luscombes are good airplanes. The 8A's were 65hp and no electrics, very basic. Some were rag wing, and some were metal wing. For a very basic airplane, they are fine.
The 8B's had a 65 hp lycoming O145, which parts are hard to come by anymore. The 8C's had a 75hp A-75 engine. The 8E's had the C-85 and some had electrical. The downside is more weight, which reduced performance. The 8F's had the C90 and flaps, again, electrics also, but a heavier airplane.
I like Citabria and Decathlons, I once owned a 7ECA. All around good flying and handling.
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The luscombes are good airplanes. The 8A's were 65hp and no electrics, very basic. Some were rag wing, and some were metal wing. For a very basic airplane, they are fine.
The 8B's had a 65 hp lycoming O145, which parts are hard to come by anymore. The 8C's had a 75hp A-75 engine. The 8E's had the C-85 and some had electrical. The downside is more weight, which reduced performance. The 8F's had the C90 and flaps, again, electrics also, but a heavier airplane.
I like Citabria and Decathlons, I once owned a 7ECA. All around good flying and handling.
Good info. Yeah, I'd think I'd lean towards a Citabria or Decathlon as I have NO tail wheel time. NONE.
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Good info. Yeah, I'd think I'd lean towards a Citabria or Decathlon as I have NO tail wheel time. NONE.
Champs are good trainers, as well as Cubs. Even the Citabria (which is a larger Champ) is a good trainer. Like anything else, just need a good instructor and tailwheel is not that big of a deal, just different.
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The luscombes are good airplanes. The 8A's were 65hp and no electrics, very basic. Some were rag wing, and some were metal wing. For a very basic airplane, they are fine.
The 8B's had a 65 hp lycoming O145, which parts are hard to come by anymore. The 8C's had a 75hp A-75 engine. The 8E's had the C-85 and some had electrical. The downside is more weight, which reduced performance. The 8F's had the C90 and flaps, again, electrics also, but a heavier airplane.
I like Citabria and Decathlons, I once owned a 7ECA. All around good flying and handling.
I have a handful of hours in a 7GCAA, it was a wonderful airplane to fly. I did an 8 lesson intro to aerobatics in the plane and then continued on to get my TW endorsement. Sadly, due to lack of TW rentals, I've not flown a TW since. I still think fondly of the Citabria, fun to fly, great vis out either side, and gentlemans aerobatics to boot! I can easily see it as a fly low/slow look at the cows retirement traveler.
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I have a handful of hours in a 7GCAA, it was a wonderful airplane to fly. I did an 8 lesson intro to aerobatics in the plane and then continued on to get my TW endorsement. Sadly, due to lack of TW rentals, I've not flown a TW since. I still think fondly of the Citabria, fun to fly, great vis out either side, and gentlemans aerobatics to boot! I can easily see it as a fly low/slow look at the cows retirement traveler.
That's kind of what I am thinking. Part of what always fascinated me about General Aviation is that small airports are like time capsules where one can in many ways go back in time. I imagine grass fields are even more like that although I've only been to a few over the years.
Always liked the Piper Pacer too. Don't know much about them, how they fly, land, etc.
(http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QzJFHC-AKBQ/maxresdefault.jpg)
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Anybody have time in a PA-20 Piper Pacer?
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Anybody have time in a PA-20 Piper Pacer?
Yep. Both the real PA20 and the converted PA22/20.
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Anybody have time in a PA-20 Piper Pacer?
Nine o'clock.
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Nine o'clock.
LOL! I should know better. ;D
Are there any "gotchas" on the PA-20? Seems like a solid choice for a tailwheel, simple alternative.
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Here you go Anthony. A Man’s aircraft. Check out Controller.com.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200415/e1ebfacddc3c6d01bc0412fc2cbb011f.jpg)
I got my tailwheel endorsement in a 7EC Champ, and had less than 10 TW hours before starting to train in the CAF PT-26 that I fly. It is MUCH easier to land than the Champ. It’s 2,800 max gross, so it’s heavy. It has wide gear, and is a little underpowered with the 200hp Ranger engine.
You will draw a lot of attention with this airplane. I have about 120 hours in it and love it.
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Here you go Anthony. A Man’s aircraft. Check out Controller.com.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200415/e1ebfacddc3c6d01bc0412fc2cbb011f.jpg)
I got my tailwheel endorsement in a 7EC Champ, and had less than 10 TW hours before starting to train in the CAF PT-26 that I fly. It is MUCH easier to land than the Champ. It’s 2,800 max gross, so it’s heavy. It has wide gear, and is a little underpowered with the 200hp Ranger engine.
You will draw a lot of attention with this airplane. I have about 120 hours in it and love it.
That's really cool Stan.
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That's really cool Stan.
I’m not kidding. It’s super roomy in the cockpit. You can fly with the canopy open (front and back.)
The only downside is if you want to take any baggage, the only baggage compartment is in a turtle deck behind the rear seat and it’s very small.
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I’m not kidding. It’s super roomy in the cockpit. You can fly with the canopy open (front and back.)
The only downside is if you want to take any baggage, the only baggage compartment is in a turtle deck behind the rear seat and it’s very small.
No, I understand you're serious. Never considered a warbird. Parts, costs, etc? Any insights? I've been waffling on tail dragger or an RV-7, or RV-8 which can also be tail draggers, or nose wheel for a while now.
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LOL! I should know better. ;D
Are there any "gotchas" on the PA-20? Seems like a solid choice for a tailwheel, simple alternative.
Pacers are relatively cheap to buy and operate. Nice to have 4 seats, it's quick and economical (150 or 160 hp).
The PA22/20 conversion is a good alternative as well. The only caution here is have it checked out really well. During the conversion the gear leg fuselage lugs get welded on, and it's real critical that the alignment was done correctly, otherwise the airplane will be a real bitch to land.
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No, I understand you're serious. Never considered a warbird. Parts, costs, etc? Any insights? I've been waffling on tail dragger or an RV-7, or RV-8 which can also be tail draggers, or nose wheel for a while now.
I can get you some info on that.
Here’s another option to consider. I reached out to the Delaware Valley Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. They have a Stinson Model 10/L-9 that they fly to airshows, etc. Of course they are on a stand down right now due to the Covid restrictions, but they’d be happy to talk to you.
https://www.delawarevalleywing-caf.org/
They are based at the Princeton airport, and have several members from the Philadelphia area. The Wing Leader apparently has a tail wheel school at a grass airport somewhere in that area, so he does training and can also let you know of any tailwheel airplanes available.
Most units are looking for pilots for their planes, and I can’t speak about this wing, but the GENERAL rule for flying something like a Stinson is this:
-Join the CAF: $200 annual dues
-Join the local Wing: $50 annual dues
-ONE-time Aircraft Sponsor fee if you wish to fly the Stinson:$1,500
-pay an hourly rate
-some wings have pilot sponsors split the fixed costs, some don’t. (The Wisconsin wing doesn’t do that for our PT-26, but we do for our SNJ-5 and our T-34A.)
-minimum 200 hours PIC time
-tailwheel endorsement
-minimum 10 tailwheel hours and 10 tailwheel landings in the last 12 months before you can begin training in a CAF aircraft. (This varies on aircraft type. If you want to fly a CAF T-6, count on 30 tailwheel hours and 80 tailwheel landings in the last 12 months.)
PM me if you’d like to have their Wing Leader or another guy’s contact info. The CAF is a great way to get into a Warbird relatively inexpensively.
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Thanks Stan! Great info! Don't go through too much brain damage yet as I am not sure what I want right now. I may buy a built RV-6, 7, or 8, and need to figure out what my flying is going to look like in the future. The Experimentals are attractive as you can get better values on avionics to go into them, or at least in theory anyway.