Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihnp4.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!cfiaime From: cfiaime@ihnp4.UUCP (Jeff Williams) Newsgroups: net.aviation Subject: Re: Primary Aircraft Proposal (long and warm) Message-ID: <693@ihnp4.UUCP> Date: Tue, 18-Dec-84 13:52:12 EST Article-I.D.: ihnp4.693 Posted: Tue Dec 18 13:52:12 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 19-Dec-84 02:37:10 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 75 I am all for the primary aircraft proposal. I am also all for cheap, two-seat, VFR aircraft. I like antiques, old 150's, and the like. What is a bummer about this particular conversation is the statement that old aircraft should be scrapped because of high maintenance or to allow the manufacturers to sell new airplanes. Sure, old airplanes cost money to maintain. It cost me over $40 in parts and manuals to rebuild the Eisman magnetos on my Funk. The last annual on my brother's J-3 Cub ran almost $200. Heck, a total restore on the Taylorcraft in the family will run almost $3500 by the time everything is done on it. And old tail-wheel airplanes will cause everyone a bunch of trouble because they are so hard to land. I guess we all need to go out and buy brand new Cessna P-210's just to fly to Lake Lawn for lunch (IFR, of course). Really, gang, the slow two-place airplane is really a good thing to have around. Sure they are slow. The Funk is about 100 mph. In the last two years I have taken it (known as Phoebe) from the Chicago area to New Jersey (for business), then to Kitty Hawk, and finally home. It tool almost 25 flight hours for the whole trip. There were two days in New Jersey where I would not have wanted to fly Phoebe, and one day where I would not have wanted to fly a King Air. I also used Phoebe to fly to Montgomery, Alabama for a Civil Air Patrol school. The trip took one day, VFR. I am firmly convinced that a Cessna 150 or Funk or Taylorcraft or any other of the cheap two-seat airplanes can be used for (dare I say it) TRANSPORTATION when the limits for the aircraft are known. Typically, I feel that there is a 90% or better chance that a VFR flight in one of the two-seat airplanes can be completed as planned. Certainly you need to plan for stops fairly frequently for fuel, but the Cessna 150 is still faster than driving, and almost as fast as a Cessna 172. Years ago, I used to ferry Cessnas from the factory in Wichita to Canada, Miami, Chicago, and other points. Fewer than 1 in 10 trips got cancelled or even got into trouble because of weather. Wichita to Winnipeg would take stops at Lincoln, Nebraska, Watertown, South Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota (if it exists), and Winnipeg. We would plan on eight hours from Wichita to Winnipeg. We never had a flight go over eight hours, and frequently we would be in Winnipeg in less than six hours. In a Cessna 152. VFR. These airplanes as transportation, or even as valuable local aircraft, depends on the attitude of the pilot. If you are not comfortable in something with less than 4 seats, or with only one radio (or no radio for that matter), or without a full IFR panel, then this class of airplane is not for you. If, however, you are willing to get your hands dirty, fly low and slow, and put some effort into learning about your airplane and the environment in which you fly, this class of airplane is a good alternative for you. Of course, these are my opinions. But, they are based on a bit of experience. My credentials include: Airline Transport Pilot - Multi engine Commercial Pilot - single engine Certified Flight Instructor - single engine, multi engine and instrument Ground Instructor - advanced and instrument. Over 3000 hours of flight in over 75 different types of airplanes. (This doesn't mean that I count a 1971 Cessna 172 and a 1981 Cessna 172 as different types, either, in spite of the fact that they have different wings, flaps, and engines.) As a piece of advice, do look at the low and slow airplane. They are fun. Support the joint AOPA and EAA primary aircraft proposal. Don't sell the idea of a primary aircraft short. The industry needs this type of airplane. Jeff Williams AT&T Bell Laboratories ihnp4!cfiaime