luscombe 8a bush plane

luscombe 8a bush plane

The brakes are actuated by independent floor pedals that were a marvel of innovation in their time. Because more than 50 years have lapsed since most rolled off the assembly line, the idea of aerobatics in the airplane should be approached with extreme caution while contemplating the timeless question: How many times can you bend a tin can? Yes, sadly, it has already crashed. It managed to sell about 80 8Fs before collapsing in 1960. This upgraded 8A entered production in June 1940, and immediately became a best-seller, was first of the breed to be referred to as Silvaire. Americas owner-flown aircraft enthusiasts and active-pilot resource, delivered to your inbox! The pancake engines, as they were called, had a reputation for unreliability, so Luscombe was justifiably skeptical of using one. The information contained in this record should be the most current Airworthiness information available in the historical aircraft record. In 1955 the type certificate was sold to an organization in Colorado. Depending on the model, loading (the maximum gross weight of all but the lowest-powered versions is 1,400 pounds), and temperature, acceleration ranges from sedate to brisk. Rotation speed is about 55 mph. Empty wt. Full stall and wheel landings are a little deceptive in a Silvaire. Links to additional information about Luscombes and other vintage aircraft can be found on AOPA Online. The brakes are actuated by independent floor pedals that were a marvel of innovation in their time. There was the usual painful litigation resolving little, so the Luscombe assembly line continued to lie dormant. It also developed the 8E and 8F with electrical systems and 85- and 90-hp Continentals, respectively. Its way more fun than Trade-A-Plane! Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. airworthiness of an aircraft or the current aircraft configuration. Fuel capacity 14. 2023 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Avg. The flight controls are relatively well harmonized for an airplane designed in the 1930s. It is sad, but this Luscombe is good for parts or perhaps a static display. The next day he joined other competitors in flying a local air show; Giles Henderson in his clipped wing cub, Herb Cox flying his Drunk Farmer Stole a Cub routine, Jerry Spear Taking on an airplane project can be daunting, but there are many aviation enthusiasts that will tell you planes of this era are so blissfully simple that theres nothing to be afraid of. Perhaps that is because Luscombe was the first to completely enclose the engine within a cowl, a feat of development at a time when Aeronca and Piper were still cooling flat engines by leaving the cylinders out in the breeze and hoping for the best. As in a Greek tragedy, just as Don Luscombe reached his goal of mass-producing all-metal airplanes, the continuing effects of the Depression, constant lack of capital, and his financial shenanigansincluding failure to repay loans and creative use of stockcaught up with him. They landed sideway with a drift and it did not ground loop. It was not to be. If the airplane is rigged correctly, it does not want to drop a wing; it just pitches down, straight ahead. WebThe airplane has a lot of adverse yaw, when measured by modern standards, but it's about the same as a Champ and easily handled with a little rudder. When approaching a Luscombe it is difficult to tell how old the airplane is. Because the flare and touchdown are so easy to do well, new Luscombe pilots occasionally experience a false sense of security. A Pitts Special is a very difficult airplane to land. Returning to the field for landing, plan on using carburetor heat when the power is reduced, then slow the airplane to about 65 to 70 mph on finalor slower if flying one with flaps. Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. Visibility over the nose is outstanding. On a positive note, the current Luscombe Aircraft Company of Las Vegas, Nevada, has upgraded the design and anticipates selling a 185-hp nosewheel version to be called the Model 11E. Annual inspection 10/10/2022. The 8A wasnt that much more prone to the ground lomcevak than a Cessna 120/140 series. Aircraft is flown regularly so times are variable. I have been flying tail draggers since 1954. Plane and Pilot expands upon the vast base of knowledge and experience from aviations most reputable influencers to inspire, educate, entertain and inform. Anybody else notice the 1956 date on the airworthiness certificate. WebAircraft for sale. The original mechanical disc brakes mostly have been replaced by either Goodyear units that are acceptable but frightfully expensive, or Clevelands, which are very good indeed. Ever. All flying now. He dropped progressively larger engines into the tough, diminutive airframes until, by the late 1960s, 150-hp stud brutes were rocketing off of the grass at Larsen Field. WebYear: Not Listed Make/Model: LUSCOMBE 8A Registration #: N71288 Serial #: 2715 Location: Pismo Beach, CA USA $27,000 USD Circle M Aviation CALL (530) 305-4151 I accept the Trade-A-Plane terms of use & service: Send Email Stay safe. The gear is stiff and narrow, yet the rudder is effective, as is the tailwheel. Production was resumed after the war with allmetal versions of the Silvaire, the 8E and 8F. The handling of a Luscombe on landing has to be put in perspective. Learn More Already a member? 2023 FLYING Media. WebThe 8A is equipped with a Continental A-65-8 engine. Try 150K for a CTLS. ( by watching several ground loop videos, it seems they are coming in too fast) Luscombes Model 8 Silvaire first appeared in 1937, and the first 50-hp production models were on the market in 1938. 1946 Luscombe 8A. With appropriate equipment it is a passable IFR airplane, although range and en-durance can be a little short when trying to reach an alternate. LOW TIME 1940 LUSCOMBE 8A $26,000 ACCEPTING OFFERS UC-90A Paint Scheme N25289, S/N 1195, 2166 TT completely restored starting in 2000, 40 If Moody Lar-sen did his magic and caused a 115- or 150-hp engine to be up front, climb rate can easily exceed 1,000 fpm. Engine 65-hp Lycoming. The gear is also narrow. Don Luscombe worked much of his adult life to develop and market an all-metal airplane, fighting almost constant financial crisis in the process. Fairly large quantities of fuel in the fuselage tend to give most pilots the heebie-jeebies, so the wing tanks are an improvement, despite the substantial concern Luscombe showed in 1937 for crashworthiness in designing and protecting the original fuselage tank. They exist because of the determination of an affable scalawag to create and mass-produce all-metal airplanes. Maneuvering is precise. Luscombe aficionados point with pride to the numerous pictures of the airplanes with 16 to 20 people perched atop the wing. The handling of a Luscombe on landing has to be put in perspective. So, I thought I would toss out some known numbers on this one particular Luscombe 8A with an A-65, Ceconite covered wings and a brand new PMA'd 14 gallon fuel tank. The rudder has a relatively short throw, so a pilot used to more travel or less responsive rudders may overcontrol a bit at first. Find it here on craigslistfor $4,750 andgo here if the ad is archived. if it had been on its back wouldnt the verticle stabilizer be much worse? 2023 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Private aviation leader NetJets is hiring pilots, Sweepstakes Cessna 170 heads to avionics shop, Training and Safety Tip: Be fuel-foolproof. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkDQBXH02fE. Total count: 890 aircraft. This will be a monster project but at least its possible if the logs are complete as promised. Ever. My dad bought a Luscombe 8A a few months ago but I finally got the chance to fly in it today with him when he came to help me work on the Venture. The stall breaks cleanly. All were sold to private owners who desired tandem seating and extraordinary visibility. Runup takes only moments: Move the stick about to check the ailerons and elevators (after taxiing, the pilot should know if the rudder is properly attached), check the mags and carb heat (on some models the manual recommends landing and taking off with full carburetor heat), scrutinize the engine gauges, set the elevator trim, set such gyros as are installed, and line up with the runway. My dad bought a Luscombe 8A a few months ago but I finally got the chance to fly in it today with him when he came to help me work on the Venture. The basic prewar 8 rapidly evolved into the 65-hp 8A, then the B, which had a 65-hp Lycoming; the C with a very rare, fuel-injected Continental of 75 hp (and the first to be advertised as a Silvaire); and, finally, in 1941, the D. The D had the same engine as the 8A and was targeted at the Civilian Pilot Training Program, which bought Luscombes in quantity until World War II got under way and general aviation manufacturing was stopped. Exterior and Interior 6/10. Start your free trial today! Log books from 1946 including Master Parts list and My first plane was a Cessna 150 purchased in a like disassembled condition. When Renaissance Aircraft decided to start up the line with a 150-hp version of the 8F, it came to John Larsen and asked him to build the first one. Slowing to speeds just above the stall demonstrates that the controls, particularly the rudder, remain effective. The power-on or departure stall demands that the ball be kept in the center, or the airplane will roll briskly and drop the nose sharply at the break. Any a/c that qualifies as a LSA makes ownership a lot easier. Bluntly speaking, the cabin is just plain small by todays standards. The electrical system, with a 12 volt storage battery, is fully protected by thermal-type circuit-breakers and switches. https://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?category_level1=Single+Engine+Piston&make=LUSCOMBE&model=8E&listing_id=2315544&s-type=aircraft. After greasing the airplane onto the runway, they sometimes make the mistake of thinking that they can relax once they are on the ground. First of all, there is just something cool about flying such a back to basics airplane. Most pilots adjust fairly quickly to this slightly unusual state of affairs. For something between $15,000 and $21,000 and the willingness to learn to fly the airplane, the Luscombe can be a most enjoyable personal magic carpet. However, this data alone does not provide the basis for a determination regarding the. There's quite a difference flying a low wing loading older light plane from a high wing loading one that pretty much punches through the winds and turbulence. The gear is stiff and narrow, yet the rudder is effective, as is the tailwheel. He never went into production; rather, he overhauled, rebuilt, repaired, modified, obtained STCs for, and upgraded Luscombes from around the world. Good times, flying old Luscombe 11A Sedan. Last Annual, logs showed 2878 TT and 851 SMOH, Narco 810 Com and Narco AT 150 Transponder/no encoder or ADSB; no other avionics! Continental E-165-2 engine, 40 gallons fuel, 130 MPH. constructed to USA CAR 4a standard airworthiness requirements. Stall mph 37. Find it here on craigslist for $4,750 and go here if the ad is archived. I have owned two Luscombes aircraft,Cessnas, pipers,Bellanca and never ground looped one of them. As World War II wound down, Luscombe moved its factory to Garland, Texas, and decided to resurrect the basic 8A. Woe may betide the pilot who has an uninformed mechanic who tries to adjust the brakes by pulling on the cables, for that pilot may find nothing when the brakes are most needed. airworthiness of an aircraft or the current aircraft configuration. See the original article: Lust for a Luscombe Once in the air the pilot discovers that the Silvaire has crisper handling than its tube-and-fabric brethren. Those who have flown Luscombes for a time have learned that because the controls are very responsive, even at fairly low speeds, the aircraft can handle very stiff crosswinds. Subscribe to Our Site. We have 3 LUSCOMBE 8 SERIES Aircraft For Sale. Search our listings for used & new airplanes updated daily from 100's of private sellers & dealers. 1 - 3 Login Sell Now Aircraft Parts/Products Engines Real Estate Services Business Aircraft Business Offers Company/Dealer Features Sign up Advertise Contact Us AdvertiseContact UsSign upLog in Steep turns are such pleasure that it is difficult to stop. Tall narrow gear and no ailerons. With a full fuel load, the maximum allowable weight in the cabin is only about 400 poundsa motivator, combined with the space available, to keep pilots from becoming too portly. A properly leaned Silvaire generally has greater endurance than its pilot, simply because of the small cabin. A properly leaned Silvaire generally has greater endurance than its pilot, simply because of the small cabin. Otherwise these are great Art Deco pieces of art that look super hanging in your hangers rafterswhere most can be found. Location: Sanford NC. 1946 LUSCOMBE 8A $34,000 ACCEPTING OFFERS Cecilia is for sale. John Larsen, son of Moody, now runs things at Larsen Field. Once in the air the pilot discovers that the Silvaire has crisper handling than its tube-and-fabric brethren. my Luscombe is the only plane I've flown. Experienced Luscombe pilots recommend taxiing no faster than a brisk walk so as to keep things well under control. Dumbest thing I ever did in aviation, but I got away with it. The general aviation aircraft is a high-wing, monoplanes with side-by-side seating. That airplane was in Oshkosh last year and attracted a lot of attention, so there is hope that the proud heritage is not over. But its going to cost you. For something between $15,000 and $21,000 and the willingness to learn to fly the airplane, the Luscombe can be a most enjoyable personal magic carpet. No need to buy avgas ($5.60/gal.) For instance in my plane one double entry and three small errors on the previous W&B decreased the useful load by sixteen pounds. He says that even crosswinds are manageable, thanks to its effective ailerons. ( minimum altitude, I think) I like the quick disconnect wings. For the first several takeoffs in a Silvaire, it is a good idea to use grass runways to take advantage of the drag on the tailwheel. The basic prewar 8 rapidly evolved into the 65-hp 8A, then the B, which had a 65-hp Lycoming; the C with a very rare, fuel-injected Continental of 75 hp (and the first to be advertised as a Silvaire); and, finally, in 1941, the D. The D had the same engine as the 8A and was targeted at the Civilian Pilot Training Program, which bought Luscombes in quantity until World War II got under way and general aviation manufacturing was stopped. One of my favorites. Hello, youre 1,000 feet off the ground. WebLUSCOMBE 8A. After all, the factory employees had received a practical education in crashworthiness be-cause for several years a major portion of the companys income came from re-building wrecked Phantoms. Not many of them around, compared to a Cessna 140 or a Piper Super Cub. WebThe Luscombe 8 was designed by Donald Luscombe and flown for the first time in 1937. By The journey to restore this would be a busy one, mostly with getting it to comply with the FAA. Continental A65-8, 2840 TTSN, No Electrical or Transponder, He lost control of the company within sixteen months and resigned in April 1939, never again to be involved with the organization that continued to bear his name. I watched as one attempted a crosswind landing, it got on the ground ok but before getting off the runway, a wing picked up and it flipped sideways. The United States did not buy Luscombes for wartime duty. A65 engine 1243.9 SMOH. As World War II wound down, Luscombe moved its factory to Garland, Texas, and decided to resurrect the basic 8A. However, this data List of aircraft registered in the United States with the manufacturer and model designation of LUSCOMBE 8A, ordered by tail number. No more white knuckles. Climb rate for the 8E and 8F was claimed to be 800 feet per minute. A Bellanca Citabria is considered an easy tailwheel airplane to handle on landing. ). Most pilots adjust fairly quickly to this slightly unusual state of affairs. TTAF 2993.9. With appropriate equipment it is a passable IFR airplane, although range and en-durance can be a little short when trying to reach an alternate. Never had a pilot permit, went in silently on half of a share, 4 owners, with my friend who hadroject multi- engine , towards a refurbished ex US military DC 3, and just my 1/8 share towards Federaly regulated and mandated maintenance was not cheap, partner bought my share. It just seems like such a deal ,less then 5K for an airplane, makes you almost think, I could do this, and then reality creeps in and you know it is just the tip of the iceberg of an adventure you probably cant afford! I know a guy who flies one in NM, based at a field of 4,800 ft elevation. Perhaps that started the reputation that persists to this day describing Luscombes as a ground loop waiting to happen. Sign in to continue reading, By Plane and Pilot Updated November 20, 2017 Save Article. unless you dont fly regularly. Initial climb rate 900. This 1947 Luscombe 8E is no different, and its located in Maine after having not known flown since 1977. Become a member and get exclusive access to articles, contests and more! 1949 Packard Super Deluxe Eight LWB Sedan, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkDQBXH02fE, https://www.trade-a-plane.com/search?category_level1=Single+Engine+Piston&make=LUSCOMBE&model=8E&listing_id=2315544&s-type=aircraft, Upgraded Small-Block V8: 1971 Plymouth Scamp, Everything Included: 1979 Chevrolet Dually Dual Cab, Affordable Alternative? Given the ruggedness of the metal aircraft, one would have thought that it would have joined the legions of Cubs, Champs, and other L-birds that served in so many roles and locations during the war. This freed up some space within the cabin to create a small shelf for storage for the occupants. Please post more of them. The aircraft is a two-place, high-wing, single-engine airplane, equipped with conventional landing gear. STANDARD DATA: (8-A) Seats 2. Web1939 Silvaire Luscombe 8A N25159 1808TTAF, 748TTE, 300 STOH with Millennium Cylinders, Continental O-190 C85 with starter, Auto or 100LL, Fabric wing in good shape, Annual completed 6.1.15. 8A EASY PROJECT $8,500 That radio should be in a museum. Landing distance (50) 1,540. In cruise the 8E or F will scoot along at a little better than 100 mph on about 5.5 gph. Im guessing its storm damage. A Luscombe is a few steps more difficult to keep straight on landing than a Citabria and a few steps easier than a Stearman. After all, the factory employees had received a practical education in crashworthiness be-cause for several years a major portion of the companys income came from re-building wrecked Phantoms. About 1,000 Silvaires were built between the first part of 1938 and the early months of 1942. 1949 Packard Super Deluxe Eight LWB Sedan17 hours$700Bid Now, 1995 Buick Riviera Supercharged3 days$2,000Bid Now, 1963 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible3 days$1,550Bid Now. Hey guys, take a look at yotube about a bad Luscombe landing out on the left coast. Almost unique. I shudder to think of what its going to cost to get the radio and instruments back in shape, let alone the engine. Continental A-65-A total time: 1068, SMOH 21 hours. Taken during high wind, it was a picture of a J3 Cub flying about 1 foot off the ground at the ends of its tie down ropes. 3,738. Great aircraft with a rich history. RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks. WebThe Luscombe 8 is a series of high wing, side-by-side seating, monoplanes with conventional landing gear, designed in 1937 and built by Luscombe Aircraft . Recovery is conventional and only requires the pilot to reduce back pressure on the stick rather than shove the nose down. Over 6,000 postwar Silvaires were built, and more than 2,000 are currently rated airworthy. This provided a cheaper and less complex design, and later changes to the vertical and horizontal stabilizers likewise simplified construction and sped production times up. I read all the accident reports in Flying mags and others. Most pilots adjust fairly quickly to this slightly unusual state of affairs. LUSCOMBE 8A $27,000 Reg# N71288 TT: Not Listed Luscombe Silvaire 8A, Only 5 hours since Ly-Con Overhaul. Taxi of Luscombe 8A, and takeoffs and landings of this vintage taildragger airplane! Bring the tail up, and drive it around, as is. Side-by-side two-seaters, the postwar models used a Continental 90- hp engine and were claimed to be acrobatic. Luscombe was acquired by Temco Aircraft Corp. in 1948, but only some 50 Silvaires were manufactured before the line was suspended for a second time due to military commitments. We flew loops, rolls, and spins. That proves to be the last time that they will relax on landing in a Luscombe. They exist because of the determination of an affable scalawag to create and mass-produce all-metal airplanes. Base/used Price: $13,000: Engine make/model: Continental A65: We crafted our line to include packages to meet all levels of interest, from day VFR to night VFR with a list of features for the most demanding pilot. On a gusty day in a Luscombe with questionable brakes, the sweating occupant of the left seat may be in full agreement. How's that for fuel economy? Flying a 1945 Luscombe 8A tailwheel airplane. Weight and balance data missing? Rick Durden, AOPA 684126 , is an aviation attorney who holds an airline transport pilot certificate and enjoys flying antique and classic aircraft. Rotation speed is about 55 mph. One of the major design achievements of Luscombe aircraft was the all-metal monocoque wing arrangement, replacing the industry standard of a fabric covering. Difficulty in getting production up and running meant that Luscombe was late to the 1946 airplane-selling party and could not cash in as effectively as others, even though it eventually pushed 15 airplanes out the door each day. Well, I guess I asked for it (planes, battleships,etc. I like the idea of a vintage aircraft as part of any collection of classic automobiles, but dont have the space; if you do, would you consider having this Luscombe 8E in your stable? (You must log in or sign up to reply here. The critical next step is to pick out a point beyond the departure end of the runway, straight ahead of the airplane, and resolve to keep the airplane pointed at that spot no matter what happens. Nope. This monoplane has a Continental A-65 (65hp) engine and He lost control of the company within sixteen months and re-signed in April 1939, never again to be involved with the organization that continued to bear his name. Cruise mph 104. Another common problem with small 2 place aircraft of this vintage is weight capacity..2 modern size people cant fly it with full fuel without being over weight. The Luscombe 8A aircraft is a high-wing monoplane released in 1940 and it is part of Luscombes 8 series. They have been the victims of unfairly critical accusations about their ground handling. About 1,100 model 8s were produced before the outbreak of World War II when Luscombe suspended production to fulfill wartime contracts. Those who have sat in the new Renaissance Luscombe and experienced the magic that John Larsen did to the interior are astonished that what had been cramped confinement is now far more comfortable. The 8A seats up to 1 passengers plus 1 pilot. Speaking of which, the engine could be a Franklin, same outfit that supplied engines to Tucker. Knowing the wings that are holding you up at 5000 feet are same ones that were on saw horses in your yard gives you pause to think about the quality of your work. Continental C-65/75/85. WebLUSCOMBE 8A $27,000 Reg# N71288 TT: Not Listed Luscombe Silvaire 8A, Only 5 hours since Ly-Con Overhaul.

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