Stock PA-12 real world performance
- Thread starter Pundy
- Start date
cubdriver2
FRIEND
upstate NY
I've never owned a 12 and only have about 10 hrs in them but I used to fly with a guy that had a 0235 stock 12 and we had a lot of fun going into a lot of neat short places. He had a custom one built with flaps and a 0320 and it's a dog compared to the stock one.
Glenn
Glenn
windy
SPONSOR
Utah
my stock PA-12 came with an O-235, no flaps. On a hot summer day at 6500 ft density altitude, it took about 1000 ft of ground roll, then another 1000 ft in ground effect until I could squeeze maybe 50 fpm climb. it was pitiful. VGs helped the performance tremendously, by allowing the plane to get into ground effect quicker. more horsepower cured the problem.
Gordon Misch
MEMBER
Toledo, Wa (KTDO)
I flew mine in stock condition for a couple years. It flew real nice, but I think the bigger engine and flaps are a safety factor, so that when you push the noise-handle forward the plane goes up. Which ain't necessarily so with 100 HP. Just my opinion - -
n40ff
Registered User
WV
12Geezer2
Registered User
Eau Claire, WI
Perhaps I should mention (for Glenn) The only time I put on a stock 12 was here in Wisconsin where most airports and hayfields are at about 900 MSL. The plane I flew was very light at the published weight of 950. I don't know how that plane would perform at high density altitudes. I DO KNOW that my 12 with flaps and the O-320 is NO DOG even at the density altitudes encountered on several trips to the rocky mountain west. The VARIABLES in airplanes is unlimited. As much as I like super cubs, I recently delivered one for a fellow that was an overweight PIG. (too many bells and whistles) Could NOT wait to get back in my LIGHT ---O-320 powered PA-12---with flaps. Where you fly and what you plan to do with an airplane has a lot to do with WHAT airplane you want/need. A stock 12 is a fun airplane and certainly better than NO airplane. O.K. I'll jump down off my soapbox now--HA !--- REALLY like my 12---geezer Dan
There's no doubt it could go on a bit of a diet, but not sure I could trim it back to the "original" weight of 950#. It does have a nicely upholstered interior which would appear to be pretty heavy. And there's a navcom in it that I'll never use. The paint is extremely nice, and I suspect a little on the fat side. Where else should I look to trim pounds?
cubdriver2
FRIEND
upstate NY
Dan like I said I don't have a lot of 12 time and half of that's on floats. But the new one my friends got won't go where the original one would.
Glenn
cubdriver2
FRIEND
upstate NY
No. And I know that any one of those makes a difference. But if I find that out I might not be able to pick on you 12 guy's.
Glenn
WhiskeyMike
MEMBER
West Boxford MA
Every time you up the horsepower, you up the weight, and you up the need for more fuel which equals more weight. There is always a price to pay - and the biggest one is in the handling of the original light airplane. A stock Cruiser flies beautifully. If you don't really need the bigger engine, then enjoy it for what it is. As to specs, each and every plane will fly differently - even when equipped identically.
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"A stock 12 does fly pretty nice ,however adding horsepower makes it sweater. the little extra weight from an 0-320 is negligable and the added hp makes up for it. I've built severa for customers and they all like it better."
John, what's the average true cost, all in, for putting an 0-320 on the front of a -12 if I hire it done?
John, what's the average true cost, all in, for putting an 0-320 on the front of a -12 if I hire it done?
12Geezer2
Registered User
Eau Claire, WI
Keeping things light is what makes any plane more fun to fly. First learned to fly in a '52 supercub with 0-320 150 HP. No starter, no battery, no generater, no radios. Most fun plane I ever flew. Someone asked my friend where all that "stuff" was. His reply was "On the shelf in the hangar where it belongs". Sure miss my friend Glenn Short of Neillsville Wi. Shared his cub with me for more than 20 years. Cancer took him at 70 yrs young.
cubunltd
Registered User
Belle Vernon,PA
Pundy,
There are different ways to install an 0-320 on a 12. One is to use the long engine mount, requiring very little cowling mods. The other is to use the short mount which would require shortening the original cowlings. And oh by the way with both mods you have to change out the tail feathers to PA18 horizontals and elevators. Email me for more info. jswalt@comcast.net
There are different ways to install an 0-320 on a 12. One is to use the long engine mount, requiring very little cowling mods. The other is to use the short mount which would require shortening the original cowlings. And oh by the way with both mods you have to change out the tail feathers to PA18 horizontals and elevators. Email me for more info. jswalt@comcast.net
cruiser
Registered User
South Glens Falls, NY
I knew an old flyer from my home town that flew scenic rides in a 108 PA-12 when I was a kid. I helped rescue it off the rocks one evening when it broke loose from it's mooring and got a ride in it. Of course that was before we knew a 108 PA-12 was a boat ride only. Jim
