Which Taildragger would you buy?

[flywithastick]

Unlike a J-3, the former have a wider fuselage which greatly improves comfort.

If I wanted to move along at ~70 mph in comfort, I'd take my GMC pickup!

 

[RFtech]

back to the top.

Anyone else?

 

[Birddog]

Some of the later Taylorcrafts (F-21 I believe) can be a pretty good bargin. Also some of the Maule M-4's with the Cont. O-300 aren't bad either. One thing to watch out for is insurance costs. You may want to investigate this before making a decision. Also, if you buy a fabic covered aircraft. Make sure you find a good mech who will work on it. I have known some that all but refuse to touch fabic, and some who don't want to work on anything but. No matter what you buy, I am sure you will enjoy it.

 

[hokieflyer]

Did my first 20 some-odd hours in a Citabria 7ECA. May not be quite as classic as a J3 but I think its still a d@mn sexy little airplane. 115 hp (if I remember correctly) gets you cruise speeds close to a Cessna 150. No flaps which keeps things simple and will get you really good at forward slips. It's also rated for limited aerobatics. I think I've seen them listed before for near $20k. I haven't been back in a taildragger since then but its on my to-do list.

 

[LR25]

I used to fly a Citabria, you culd fit 2 small kids in the back seat, it was pretty wide back there.

The problem is though, they can be quite expensive for a nice one.

Does anybody know any other taildraggers that is big in the back around 20K.

But I think one of the best tailwheel airplanes out there has got to be the SuperCub. I have about 400 hours of towing banners in 180HP SuperCubs, what an awsome airplane, pricy but awsome.

 

[Skidmark]

But I think one of the best tailwheel airplanes out there has got to be the SuperCub. I have about 400 hours of towing banners in 180HP SuperCubs, what an awsome airplane, pricy but awsome.

For a little less money and comparable performance, I'd go with the Bellanca 8GCBC Scout. I also have spent many an hour dragging rags and wouldn't want to be in anything else. Don't get me wrong, cubs are great airplanes, but you can save about 20K with a Scout because it doesn't hold the same nostagic value.

 

[TAG2]

Vagabond?

Great feedback everybody. Keep it coming. Much thanks!

What about the Vagabond? Anybody know the good, bad or the ugly about them? There doesn't seem to be that many of them out there but they are in my price range.

 

[RightPedal]

I agree with lear24

The 65hp Champ is not that under powered. I would much rather it than the Cub. I'm a big guy and The Champ was easier for me to get in and out of.
The cub is a fun little machine. I think all pilots should have some cub time.
I learned in a Cessna 170. They are good airplanes, but not the best for transition in my opinion.
I like the 8E Luscombe with a 150hp. I only have a few hours in one but it was great. I've herd them called an evil minded cone tail Luscombe, but I didn't find it evil at all.
I owned a Maule for five years and that was the most fun you could have in an airplane. They are one tough load hauling rocket ship. Me alone with 10 gal.....YeeHa.....what a ride!

 

[jbDC9]

Houston Citabria rental

Speaking of Citabrias, anyone wanna rent a 1974 150hp 7GCAA?

It's based at Weiser Airpark (KEYQ) in Cypress, TX, just NW of Houston, operated by Windsock Aviation. Check out www.flywindsock.com. It's not a showpiece plane, but it's in very nice condition, runs and flies great! 80 bucks/hour wet.

I don't work for the FBO, just another renter pilot... but the airplane needs to be flown more or it might be sold. Scary thought, since then I'd be stuck flying Warriors or 172s, woof! After having so much fun flying an old ragwing taildragger the thought of driving around in a 172 seems pretty boring. I really don't understand why more renters don't get checked out in it... if they did they'd never go back to a spamcan.

Thanks,
John

 

[Typhoon1244]

...what [taildragger] would you buy and why?

Douglas Skyraider, baby!

Why? "Because it kills...and that's the name of that tune."

(Probably be expensive, though...)

 

[rfeathe1]

LR 25--A good 3 place tailwheel airplane is the PA 12 Piper Super Cruiser--it has a wide back seat that will accomadate 2 adults. I used to take my 3 children with me in my PA 12--they were 6, 7 & 8 years old at the time. The PA 12 came from the factory with a 100 HP Lycoming O 235 engine--it was no fireball performance wise but I used to fly it out of a 1300' sod strip with 2 adults in the back & never had a problem. Many PA 12s have been converted to larger engines--some with the O 320 Lyc.(150 HP).

 

[LR25]

Yeah, I forgot about the PA-12. Thats about what I would be looking for when the time comes to get an airplane to fit my wife and 2 yr old girl in.

I used to do 2 people in a Citabria(back seat), but they had to be 2 small kids and that would about to be it.

I want something to tote the family in, but I want it to be a taildragger, and speed aint an issue(to a point), style is.

Thanks

 

[Dragonbravo]

I'd say go with the 120. Only the wings are fabric, so there is less mx there. The engine is simple. It performs well for what it is. And it flies real nice.

 

[Frank Bama]

TAYLORCRAFT, need I say More.

 

[mnboyev]

Long live the T-Crates !! I have a pre-war open cowl 65. Fast and cheap to fly. I am partial to the Crates, but I have flown Cubs and Champs. Both are real good birds. Each have their little 'thing' that is good and bad. Champs do have a little more room. Cubs are a pain to get into. T-Crates are tight.

The Stinson 108 is a good taildragger. Cheap and big. Advanced airplane for its vintage. 4 Place

Cant beat a 90HP Cub. Although it burns more gas and is a little slow. Dream to fly. The stick thing is kinda fun.

The T-Crates are the best all around I believe if your of a medium size. I think it was 500 to insure. I know you can find a mid range Crate for around 12-15K.

 

[flydoc]

Originally learned tailwheel flying in a Citabria 7ECA. Very docile and fun to fly! About two years later I bought my first airplane which also happened to be a '65 7ECA. I had a lot of fun with that airplane. Right before I purchased, I had it narrowed down to two airplanes. Both were great inside/out and priced about the same (approx $27k). One had the 150hp conversion and bare-bones VFR, the other had an O-200 with (believe it or not) an IFR panel! I got the one with the panel thinking it would be convenient to get out of the clag if you had to. I think I flew in IMC twice (once to be stupid, twice to make sure I was being stupid). Don't get me wrong, I loved that airplane. It was great, but looking back, I'm sure I would have gotten a lot more use out of the extra 50 horses.

Maintenance was easy on this airplane also. I learned a lot about part 43 and owner conducted preventative maintenance. Plus, when you own a classic little airplane like this, A&P's WANT to help you out. Just because it is something different. When it comes to Citabria's, I would look for a good wood spar aircraft (spelled, hangared). I believe that there may be some ADs on the metal spar. Either way, check into this CAREFULLY.

Also keep in mind that any fabric airplane needs to be hangared. This can become a stumbling block unless you have something lined up or happen to live next to 2000' of grass with your own hangar. I got away with leaving my Citabria outside for 2 years, but only because 1) I had a cover, 2) I wasn't married, 3) I could afford the time to wash it every week and wax it every other week. (This helped keep UV damage to a minimum) If this could be a problem for you, I would go with a Luscombe or a 140.

I've upgraded to an aerobatic biplane now. Not nearly as docile as the Citabria, insurance is much higher and my wife hates it. But that doesn't matter, because it is an ABSOLUTE BLAST to fly. (apparently her requirements for a nice airplane are: a roof and luggage space. Weird.)

Good luck with whatever you decide. Remember, it's not hard to own an aircraft. You just have to make up your mind that you WANT to be poor....

 

[SATCFI]

I've owned my Aeronca 7AC (65hp) Champ since August and really enjoy it. By the way, you can solo the Champ from the front seat where the Cub can only be soloed from the back. Cubs are very expensive compared to the Champ or Chief. I'd also consider a 4-place Piper Pacer or Stinson Voyager. Both can be found in the 17-25K range.

Good luck,

SATCFI

 

[N8157B]

I've spent a decent amout of time in both a 170 and 140. Both are a joy to fly. In my limited experience I would go with Cessna. Lots of parts out there.

 

[Fr8DoggyStyle]

My .02

Aeronca Champ (or chief)-
Good little planes, just not quite a cub.

Cessna 120/140- Great little planes, especially the 140a with the newer wing but those usually bring more money.

Luscombe- Fun, aerobatic, strong, cool wing construction with almost no full ribs if i remember right. but i would not recommend them to someone with low tailwheel time. I'd check insurance costs before getting one too.

Taylorcraft bc-12- Good plane, fast for the power, but i hate the visibility out of it. Made me feel like i was in a sardine can (and i'm not a big guy)

J-3-
ROCKS- its the most fun i have had in an airplane- chasing cows, waving at girls on the beach with the door open, flying into little grass strips in upstate NY, ahhhh those were the days. The one i flew was a '46 model that was pretty decked out for a cub- it had a slip-skid ball (not standard equipment). But i dont think youll find a decent one now for 20k, although i think itd be worth the extra as an investment. No radio, no electrics, no starter, and no worries. You cant beat a cork on a wire for a fuel gauge!


With any plane of that age you have to be carefull about corrosion. I would be wary of any plane that hasnt had the covering off for years but will still pass a punch test. Very often whats underneath the fabric is UGLY because the planes dont need to be recovered as often as they used to (due to newer covering materials that dont decay like cotton). The problem is no one gets to see whats underneath to fix it much anymore.

 

[flywithastick]

J-3-
ROCKS- its the most fun i have had in an airplane- chasing cows,

I used to do that until meeting some livestock owners... I *really* believe some of these folks would shoot at you if they saw what you were doing! Be careful! BTW, never buzz horses they'll hurt themselves. Now pulling the power back and sneaking up on people riding 4 wheelers or jet skiis. They're open season and fair game.

waving at girls on the beach with the door open,

Now that is a fact... something about a Cub and easing down the beach with the doors open, waving at the ladies. Must be the low noise level and being able to see each other... more personal I guess.