We are a newly formed flying club in northern Indiana. (3 Rivers Taildraggers) We have decided our first plane will be a Super Cruiser. We would welcome any and all wisdom re: engines in the PA-12's. We are basically seeing three different choices - the 0-320, the 0-235, and the 0-290. We would be only considering a young version (hours) of an engine. We have no desire to buy one near TBO and upgrade etc. What we buy is what we get.
Let's assume that a prebuy inspection reveals clean logs and no obvious squawks, we are seeking information on how each of the engine choices above will translate to performance. The basic question our group is wrestling with is "Do we need a 150HP engine, because the 0-235 will offer poor performance."
Our mission: Each member of our club has access to other cross-country airplanes, so long-range travel is not a focus. Our Super Cruiser will be used for local low and slow VFR fun, and the very occasional longer fun trips like Oshkosh, the UP of Michigan, etc. Our airport is 840MSL, and the last time I checked, Indiana has no plans for mountains in the near future. Thus, we don't have any high density altitude needs. Apart from the occasional grass strip, we don't really have much in the way of back-country terrain to explore. Each member of our club is well below 200#, so we should be fine with the useful load offered by any PA-12.
Any and all opinions (based on experience of course) are welcome!
Thanks and we are excited to soon be owners of one of these great airplanes!
Let's assume that a prebuy inspection reveals clean logs and no obvious squawks, we are seeking information on how each of the engine choices above will translate to performance. The basic question our group is wrestling with is "Do we need a 150HP engine, because the 0-235 will offer poor performance."
Our mission: Each member of our club has access to other cross-country airplanes, so long-range travel is not a focus. Our Super Cruiser will be used for local low and slow VFR fun, and the very occasional longer fun trips like Oshkosh, the UP of Michigan, etc. Our airport is 840MSL, and the last time I checked, Indiana has no plans for mountains in the near future. Thus, we don't have any high density altitude needs. Apart from the occasional grass strip, we don't really have much in the way of back-country terrain to explore. Each member of our club is well below 200#, so we should be fine with the useful load offered by any PA-12.
Any and all opinions (based on experience of course) are welcome!
Thanks and we are excited to soon be owners of one of these great airplanes!