I need help! Future T-Craft Pilot
- Thread starter lincoln.gable
- Start date
bob turner
Registered User
That's the one I have flown! Wood ribs, so look carefully. They seem to go for 25K, and worth every penny.
Gordon Misch
MEMBER
Toledo, Wa (KTDO)
alaskadrifter
Registered User
Alaska
Mr MTV,
I understand how you can get wires easily crosses over the internet. I will try to be a little more clear in the future. But sometimes schools zaps most of my brain power.
Time to crash (again no pun intended...)
I understand how you can get wires easily crosses over the internet. I will try to be a little more clear in the future. But sometimes schools zaps most of my brain power.
Time to crash (again no pun intended...)
C
citabrickr
bob turner said:
Ridiculous. If you're going to learn in a nosewheel airplane, as long as the people aren't too chunky a C-150 is one of the best trainers possible. Much better to learn in a plane that takes a light touch and is modestly powered than some vague, overpowered, 180 hp 172.
bob turner
Registered User
Well, I certainly agree with that. Still, a Cub or Taylorcraft, or even a Citabria, is orders of magnitude better than the 150/152. Opinion. Wanna know where I place the Cherokee?
Bushwhacker Air
Registered User
New York
I learned to fly in a T-craft - put about 150 hours in it. I went from there to a Clipped Cub and then to a C-150. The Tcart taught me how to fly - a real stick (well, yoke) and rudder airplane.
Having the right tailwheel instructor is a must.
If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't change a thing. The skills i learned in my BC12D have made me a better pilot.
As far as a value goes, there are a real few nice BC's for less than $20,000. I can't think of anything else for the money that does the job better.
Having the right tailwheel instructor is a must.
If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't change a thing. The skills i learned in my BC12D have made me a better pilot.
As far as a value goes, there are a real few nice BC's for less than $20,000. I can't think of anything else for the money that does the job better.
alaskadrifter
Registered User
Alaska
If you get a chance, and are in Anchorage, you should try to get some dual time with Hiedi (sp?) Ruess. She is a very experienced instructor, and they have been using a nice couple of Taylorcrafts for a long time now. But they are go on floats during the summer. And thats another thing, if you get the opportunity. I'd imagine (though I don't know much about that kind ofjob, ask MTV), that some float time would look really good on a resume for the kind of job you are wanting.
wyatterup
Registered User
West of the Alaska Range
T-crates are great planes. When I first moved to bush Alaska I realized I needed to fly. I talked to all the "old guys" doing what I dreamed of doing. They all told me the same thing, "Learn to fly in a taildragger." I went outside to get my private in a Super Cub. When I came back to Alaska I realized it was too expensive and too far away to rent. I need to get back into the air so I went and got a float rating. I still needed to build time so I bought a 85hp cub and flew it for 400 hours. I was flying 10 hours a day in the summer when I could. I flew all over Alaska. I would fly before and after work logging 3-4 hours a day. My only rule was not to wreck it because I didn't have insurance and couldn't afford to rebuild it. Buying that little airplane was the best thing I did to learn. I realized quickly how helpful people in the aviation community really are. I found an older instructor to fly with me for a few hours when I first got the plane. The first day he was to fly with me the weather was bad. I thought I would go home and try the next day but he opened his hangar and told me to push the plane inside. He told me he would not fly with me until we thoroughly checked out the plane. For three days I worked in his hangar. I didn't know anything about airplane maintenance before this but the learning curve shot up after this experience. We basically did a full annual. I learned so much and got very familiar with the aircraft. I have talked to several long time Alaska pilots I fly with now and they all say that learning in an "underpowered" airplane will make you a better pilot because you learn to respect altitude and airspeed - power will not get you out of sticky situations. Another thing you should consider is "Alaska Time" in your logbook. Alaska time is just as valuable as tailwheel time. If you want to fly in Alaska for work then build some time in Alaska. Having a little taildragger in Alaska can be alot of fun. There are lots of relatively safe, remote, off airport places you can land and take-off again safely with a small taildragger. You can build hours and practice for your commerical ticket also in your own plane. My friend bought a T-crate to learn in with no hours. He found that there were so many instructors that wanted to fly with him to go hunting or fishing that he never had to pay for their instruction time.
He started flying for a fishing lodge two years later and is now a hunting guide flying all over the state. We are both flying for a living now. We both sold our small little taildraggers for more money than we paid for them. If I could do it over again I might buy the airplane first instead of renting while I was getting my private. I would try to start out on grass, gravel, or ice first with a taildragger because it is much more forgiving then pavement. (maybe it was a good idea to be renting when I ground looped between the runways
) I think you are on the right track. The A&P will be a definite plus to your flying career. You should consider though that Alaska is full of pilots! If you want a job with the gov't flying you should have something else on your resume i.e. biology, forestry, law enforcement. Don't let poor advice for part time pilots keep you from following your dream.
He started flying for a fishing lodge two years later and is now a hunting guide flying all over the state. We are both flying for a living now. We both sold our small little taildraggers for more money than we paid for them. If I could do it over again I might buy the airplane first instead of renting while I was getting my private. I would try to start out on grass, gravel, or ice first with a taildragger because it is much more forgiving then pavement. (maybe it was a good idea to be renting when I ground looped between the runways
) I think you are on the right track. The A&P will be a definite plus to your flying career. You should consider though that Alaska is full of pilots! If you want a job with the gov't flying you should have something else on your resume i.e. biology, forestry, law enforcement. Don't let poor advice for part time pilots keep you from following your dream.lincoln.gable
Registered User
great support you all offer
wyatterup thanks for that vote of support, it sounds like you did exactly what I aspire to do. really great to hear. I am in school to have a little more to offer to a govt position, so we'll see. thanks to everybody who offered advice, really shows what a great community aviation is. I cant wait to become a more active member. I will give you all updates on my progress and im sure I will ask for more advice along the way. lincoln
wyatterup thanks for that vote of support, it sounds like you did exactly what I aspire to do. really great to hear. I am in school to have a little more to offer to a govt position, so we'll see. thanks to everybody who offered advice, really shows what a great community aviation is. I cant wait to become a more active member. I will give you all updates on my progress and im sure I will ask for more advice along the way. lincoln
stearmann4
FRIEND
Tenino, WA
What's today's youth coming to? He lives 4 miles away and I offered up some free flight time and emailed...no response. 10 years ago, I would've robbed a convenient store to fly a Cub and Citabria for free.
Oh well.
Mike-
Oh well.
Mike-
lincoln.gable
Registered User
hey sorry about that
mike you made a very generous offer and i hope to take you up on it and at least chat about your planes. I have been a bit crazy this last week trying to line up a job for this summer that will pay for some of my flying and finishing up a quarters worth of schoolwork. I am almost scared to fly in that cub because I don't want any nagging guilt about not scraping another 5 or 10 thousand for a j-3. thanks for the offer and I will absolutely take you up on it as the weather gets better. I have found a local t-cart I am seriously considering. Jason thanks again for your help I felt like I knew what to look for when I was looking at this plane today.
mike you made a very generous offer and i hope to take you up on it and at least chat about your planes. I have been a bit crazy this last week trying to line up a job for this summer that will pay for some of my flying and finishing up a quarters worth of schoolwork. I am almost scared to fly in that cub because I don't want any nagging guilt about not scraping another 5 or 10 thousand for a j-3. thanks for the offer and I will absolutely take you up on it as the weather gets better. I have found a local t-cart I am seriously considering. Jason thanks again for your help I felt like I knew what to look for when I was looking at this plane today.
stearmann4
FRIEND
Tenino, WA
Lincoln,
I guess you're forgiven since you spent your time with Jason. Gimme a call a call anytime. I'm taking an overseas trip for the month of April.
Mike-
I guess you're forgiven since you spent your time with Jason. Gimme a call a call anytime. I'm taking an overseas trip for the month of April.
Mike-
Ruffair
GONE WEST
Lower Chena
Lincoln,
Getting the T-craft---- GREAT Idea...!
Tie down in FAI should be no problem... Just Keep the snow brushed off,
Go for the one you can put on floats.... after you get your first flying job, you can spend all that extra $$ on the floats, you'll love um. Lot's of places you can get to with floats.
Hangars in Fairbanks are Rare.... Alaska Tent and tarp can outfit ya with all the covers, just keep the SNOW OFF.
The Fed's have cool airplanes to fly, but beware, in Bettles, for instance, the locals don't think too kindly of the NPS. There is a lot of history there...
Enjoy the airplane of your choice..!! you'll be eatin' beans for a long time, but hey..., it's worth it.
Good luck
RA
Getting the T-craft---- GREAT Idea...!
Tie down in FAI should be no problem... Just Keep the snow brushed off,
Go for the one you can put on floats.... after you get your first flying job, you can spend all that extra $$ on the floats, you'll love um. Lot's of places you can get to with floats.
Hangars in Fairbanks are Rare.... Alaska Tent and tarp can outfit ya with all the covers, just keep the SNOW OFF.
The Fed's have cool airplanes to fly, but beware, in Bettles, for instance, the locals don't think too kindly of the NPS. There is a lot of history there...
Enjoy the airplane of your choice..!! you'll be eatin' beans for a long time, but hey..., it's worth it.
Good luck
RA
stearmann4 said:
Lincoln, you're lucky to have guys like Mike wanting to show you around. Take advantage of it, even if it's free!! Man, wish I had you guys around here in South Texas....can't find anyone that flies a taildragger. It's either all the new glass panel stuff or mooneys. Even out in the ranches, everyone talks about insurance and not wanting to take anyone up in their J3. Okay, I found one J3 guy...but he actually spent 30mins trying to sell me the plane for a whopping $50k....it was restored from tailwheel and up....I dont' care if it was made out of pure gold, but I aint paying 50k for a 65hp plane made in 1942.
Anyways, Licoln, take fly for free as much as you can....its a rarity in some parts of the world. Here in Texas, people guard their airplanes just like they guard their land....don't touch or they'll shoot!
Ruffair
GONE WEST
Lower Chena
Lincoln.
You will hear it, in some point in you'r flyin career. some time.... (mark my words) but here it is: (in one version anyway)
there are several "levels" in your aviation career , they
kind of go like this....
you start out,like ALL of us,... ya PAY to fly,
then ya fly for FREE.
then ya get PAID to fly...!!!
then ya get paid NOT to fly......... ahhhhhhhh
tHAT is the ultimate!!!
SO , keep the spirit, and git-r done..!!!!!
RA
You will hear it, in some point in you'r flyin career. some time.... (mark my words) but here it is: (in one version anyway)
there are several "levels" in your aviation career , they
kind of go like this....
you start out,like ALL of us,... ya PAY to fly,
then ya fly for FREE.
then ya get PAID to fly...!!!
then ya get paid NOT to fly......... ahhhhhhhh
tHAT is the ultimate!!!
SO , keep the spirit, and git-r done..!!!!!
RA
lincoln.gable
Registered User
getting there
hi all, flew with my instructor for a little over an hour last night in his citabria, fun but cant wait to get my own. been looking at some t-carts recently. Although I really want to take the advice and get one with the 85 or 100 (or better 90 but cant find one) I dont know if I can pony up the extra six thousand right now. What do you think about just getting a local 1940 65hp and some 850's. I could fly it for a few hundred hours then sell it for a project PA 11 or something. Thats easily in my budget and I could afford a handheld radio, gps, and intercom/headsets. Im only stressed about the pittiful max gross. Me, my buddy, (370 lbs) 40lbs of backpacking gear, and a couple hours fuel is near 100 over the 1150 gross. dang! i can spend 19 or 20 thousand but not 25. plus the f-19 for 25k is in kentucky. I also had a guy tell me that he liked the way a 65 t-cart flew better than an f-19. he has had both planes and felt like the f-19 felt nose heavy. What to do? nick theres a j-3 for sale in WA for 26,500 with a low time engine.
hi all, flew with my instructor for a little over an hour last night in his citabria, fun but cant wait to get my own. been looking at some t-carts recently. Although I really want to take the advice and get one with the 85 or 100 (or better 90 but cant find one) I dont know if I can pony up the extra six thousand right now. What do you think about just getting a local 1940 65hp and some 850's. I could fly it for a few hundred hours then sell it for a project PA 11 or something. Thats easily in my budget and I could afford a handheld radio, gps, and intercom/headsets. Im only stressed about the pittiful max gross. Me, my buddy, (370 lbs) 40lbs of backpacking gear, and a couple hours fuel is near 100 over the 1150 gross. dang! i can spend 19 or 20 thousand but not 25. plus the f-19 for 25k is in kentucky. I also had a guy tell me that he liked the way a 65 t-cart flew better than an f-19. he has had both planes and felt like the f-19 felt nose heavy. What to do? nick theres a j-3 for sale in WA for 26,500 with a low time engine.
NimpoCub
Registered User
Nimpo Lake, BC . . . AKA "the Floatplane Capital o
Re: getting there
I think there is value/wisdom in buying an airplane that you'll be able to keep/fly for a long time. If you want to own enough power to do what you WANT to do, you'll find that xtra $6K somewhere/somehow.
What are they paying for kidneys nowdays?
lincoln.gable said:
I think there is value/wisdom in buying an airplane that you'll be able to keep/fly for a long time. If you want to own enough power to do what you WANT to do, you'll find that xtra $6K somewhere/somehow.
What are they paying for kidneys nowdays?
wadecalvin
Registered User
Oregon
Re: getting there
If you wait you could prolly find an 85 for under 20k- Also there is an f-19 on aviators bulletin for 18k used to be 20k- write for info only... Hc1 box 1172, Joshua Tree , California 92252-
lincoln.gable said:
If you wait you could prolly find an 85 for under 20k- Also there is an f-19 on aviators bulletin for 18k used to be 20k- write for info only... Hc1 box 1172, Joshua Tree , California 92252-
Getting your own plane to learn in is a great idea and worked well for me(85 hp T-craft). I have flown a 65 hp t-craft as well and think it would be fine as a trainer. Don't disregard the champs for learning in as they can be a bargain as well. I had a friend with a Cessna 140 85 HP that he used for a lot of off airport flying as well. Start with a tail dragger and a good instructor. Rent a C-150/2 to finish your private and get your check ride. Any of the 65 to 100 hp tail draggers will fit the bill and with 8.50 tires you can have a load of fun if you stay light. J-3's are way too spendy now. 15 - 20K will still buy you a good trainer. I would look close to home so you don't blow your budget trying to travel around looking for the perfect plane. Also, I think the gross on a BC-12 is 1200. F-19 is 1500 gross. I never thought my 85 with it's upgrade to F-19 could ever be called nose heavy. Get a plane, get training and get flying!
Also, get a 4 year degree in something useful for getting a job; business, econ. or sciences. Art History won't finance the supercub of your dreams.
Good luck!
Also, get a 4 year degree in something useful for getting a job; business, econ. or sciences. Art History won't finance the supercub of your dreams.
Good luck!
Hardtailjohn
Registered User
Marion, MT
Get the 65hp Tcraft.... fly the wings off that little sucker.... save a few dollars every now and then, and do a conversion to a short mount 85hp. (keep the mount it has on it now, just change engines and props). You can do it a couple ways...STC SA1-210 or field approval with one of the many approved installs out there from before 1955...I've got one if you need a copy) then as you install the 85, upgrade the crank, rods, pistons via STC to the 0-200 stuff and you've got a really nice, light, high horsepower Tcraft without all the electric BS, and it'll do everything the J3 will do (and alot more) for LOTS less money!
John
John
SuperCub MD
Registered User
Collins, Wisconsin
Re: getting there
Not sure if you are dead set on a T-Cart....but why not a Cessna 120/140? You'll get a higher gross weight, electrics, and a C-85 or 90 right out of the box. Because of the higher gross weight they don't get caught up in all this recent LSA silliness, which has unfortunately driven the price on starter airplanes to ridiculous levels.
There are no deals in TAP. Kick around your local airports and ask if there are any old taildraggers sitting in the hanger corners covered with dust...you never know what you will find.
Buy something you can afford to fly so you can stay in school. The quickest and easiest way to get yourself flying a nice airplane where and when you want to is to become a doctor or lawyer first.
Do NOT, under any circumstances buy any kind of a 'project'. If you can't fly it home, don't even look at it.
lincoln.gable said:
Not sure if you are dead set on a T-Cart....but why not a Cessna 120/140? You'll get a higher gross weight, electrics, and a C-85 or 90 right out of the box. Because of the higher gross weight they don't get caught up in all this recent LSA silliness, which has unfortunately driven the price on starter airplanes to ridiculous levels.
There are no deals in TAP. Kick around your local airports and ask if there are any old taildraggers sitting in the hanger corners covered with dust...you never know what you will find.
Buy something you can afford to fly so you can stay in school. The quickest and easiest way to get yourself flying a nice airplane where and when you want to is to become a doctor or lawyer first.
Do NOT, under any circumstances buy any kind of a 'project'. If you can't fly it home, don't even look at it.
stearmann4
FRIEND
Tenino, WA
There's a 1946 J-3 here in Olympia for sale in the neighborhood of 27K. It's cosmetically rough, but has Clevelands, about 400 SMOH on an A-65, wood prop, metal spars. Flying, but not a show piece. It belongs to an elderly couple who are unfamiliar with the selling process and have lost their medicals.here's not too many J-3s left in any sort of flying condition for less than 30K anymore.
I have yet to go through the logs to confirm this, but I will if it sounds at all interesting. I've also volunteered to ferry it to the new owner (within reason) for cost.
Mike-
I have yet to go through the logs to confirm this, but I will if it sounds at all interesting. I've also volunteered to ferry it to the new owner (within reason) for cost.
Mike-
lincoln.gable
Registered User
good stuff
thanks mike i would love to have that j-3 but i cant quite afford that right now. I would love to drop by your hanger in the next week if your're still willing to talk in person. anytime in the next few weeks would work. im just finishing up the quarter and life is calming down for a bit.
thanks mike i would love to have that j-3 but i cant quite afford that right now. I would love to drop by your hanger in the next week if your're still willing to talk in person. anytime in the next few weeks would work. im just finishing up the quarter and life is calming down for a bit.
behindpropellers
Registered User
NE Ohio
Re: good stuff
I would buy the J-3. Fly it for a year or two and sell it, you will easily get 100% of your $$ back.
lincoln.gable said:
I would buy the J-3. Fly it for a year or two and sell it, you will easily get 100% of your $$ back.
stearmann4
FRIEND
Tenino, WA
Re: good stuff
I'll be at the hangar around lunch Friday, and into the evening doing annual. Who are you taking your Citabria instruction from? If it's Todd Mason down in Chehalis, I've heard he's a super guy.
Mike-
lincoln.gable said:
I'll be at the hangar around lunch Friday, and into the evening doing annual. Who are you taking your Citabria instruction from? If it's Todd Mason down in Chehalis, I've heard he's a super guy.
Mike-
C
CPT. BLY
Hi Gable
I talk with you once on the phone and never heard from you again. My flight offers still good . You probably heard a bunch of bad about me from Todd and Michael.
I talk with you once on the phone and never heard from you again. My flight offers still good . You probably heard a bunch of bad about me from Todd and Michael.
Similar threads
