Well, 1.5 years after selling my 180 due to a career change, I am a plane owner again. This time I purchased a 2005 8GCBC Scout. I had been looking for airplanes for about a year, not totally set on what I wanted, waiting for the right deal. I preferred something with lower operating/maintenance expenses than the C180. Something with an O360 sounded about right - scout, 170B, etc but even found myself looking at more C180's, 235hp maules,super cubs, PA12s, Pa20s, etc etc. Everything was on the table so long as it was a high wing taildragger. Flushed about $1500 on 3 failed prebuys.

While only 15 years old, this thing has a storied past. It went from the factory to Northwest Backcountry Aircraft to get their list of "AK mods" including uber-extended baggage, bushwheels, VG's, etc. It then was taken to Alaska immediately to be raffled off as the 2005 Alaska Airmen's raffle plane. The winner flew it until 2010 when he flipped it landing off-airport. It was properly repaired (I had ACA factory inspect it) and then a drug-dealing doctor bought it as his toy until he was caught by the feds, then the last owner used it for a photo ship, and now I am returning it to it's life as an Alaska beater - living outside full time, etc. I have 500hrs tailwheel but had never flown a scout. I worked with insurance and got them to allow me to be insured with no dual time. Turns out, it's about the easiest taildragger to land that I've ever had to land. It was super gusty where I bought it so I filled it up with gas (70 gals) and didn't land until 5 hours later, in calm winds, after crossing 4 state lines.

I'm stoked. I think I got a smoking deal and until 2 days ago when I flew it home, I had never even flown a plane that was made after year 2000. It's got some primo mods like the extended baggage (48" deep), VG's, seaplane wing drains, approval for seaplane door, lightweight firewall battery, aluminum gear, MT prop, dark wings/horizontal for melting frost. I believe it will suit me well.

Honestly the only information available about these things online is from Bob Hannah and company "SCOUTS ARE SO PERFECT, WATCH THIS VIDEO OF ME FLYING IT" and then the stuff from the cub guys "SCOUTS ARE NOT CUBS SO THEY SUCK". I was hoping maybe this post could bring other scout owners out of the wood work who are more middle-of-the road. Maybe share some operational tips or good simple mods. I've already got a tailbeacon going in to comply with ADS-B, and the only other thing will be stopping in anchorage to get 31's and a BBW.

And some pics. It looks much nicer in pics than in person...

First time I flew to Sioux Falls to inspect it:


Interior/Panel. Good enough for the girls I date.


Fueling up in Rock Rapids, Iowa where I picked it up



Somewhere in Nebraska, or maybe South Dakota. Or maybe Iowa.


The classic windmills that signal I'm on the home stretch.



In closing, I would like to thank all of you who are scared away from buying airplanes due to damage history. You all have really saved me a ton of money on this thing.

Forgot to post the original raffle pic. I actually dig the dual gold stripes... maybe I'll add another one. They are just vinyl anyway.

The scout is a lovely airplane. After looking at Cub prices and flying a Cub while in flight school, I just walked away shaking my head at the prices. So I looked into buying a Scout, almost closed it, but then I found out I was to be shipped off around the world, so it never came to be. It is just better value than a really old design with yellow paint.

Damage History. That is another Doctor thing that oozed out of the Bonanza Community to spread out everywhere. Bonanzas do gear ups, a lot and so do Barons. Made a mint over that little handle. So they all became concerned that it essentially ruined the aircraft. Frankly I have seen some repairs done on Bonanzas, when we went in for its sequel gear up, that where adequate, but not to our standards. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH A REPAIRED AIRCRAFT THAT IS PROPERLY REPAIRED AND DOCUMENTED, unless it is a Bonanza, then its ruined forever.

There is a reason taildraggers cost a minuscule amount more to insure than nose wheel equipped aircraft. Since the advent of narrow rectangular concrete runways, taildraggers get dinged a bit more often then in days of yore when fields where squarish and grass. So it would stand to reason that a higher percentage will have damage history. Don't seem to hear of big chunks falling off all these taildraggers or prematurely ending the life of the intrepid pilots due to crap repairs. Generally taildraggers are simpler, and easy to fix, resulting in aircraft that have virtually no difference from when they left the factory after the repair.

Good score, and I like the scheme, sharp little bird.

Wow ASA, nice! You are gonna have a blast in that. I have a bit of Scout experience but not nearly as much Husky, Super Cub Arctic Tern experience. My dad had one and it was a nice airplane.

A couple suggestions, with that 70 gallons of fuel, which is great to have a fuel computer becomes more valuable. The big tanks and so so fuel gauges make you carry more fuel than you actually need since it is tough to accurately measure your fuel remaining. For this reason I highly recommend a fuel computer, the JPI FS450 is a great little unit as in the EI one.

Try over square power settings for some great fuel economy. The MT prop does lower RPM settings very well. I run 1,950 to 2,250 RPM and 22 to 24 inches of manifold pressure a lot. This is a great power setting! A bit slower but much better miles per gallon. It may seem a bit strange to you at first but set low RPM, say 1,950 or so and 22-23 inches and leave it alone for a few minutes, you will experience different sounds and vibrations than you are used to but it will become natural with a bit of time. I love these power settings, give em a try. Many of us in the Husky world have been doing this for a long time. Don’t forget to lean, dont worry, you wont hurt anything, at these power settings you will be between 50 and 60 percent power. I have found lower manifold pressure and higher RPM such as 20 inches and 2,300 RPM or something like that does not give as good efficiency as over square settings. Try different over square power settings and you will eventually find a sweet spot for the type of flying you are doing at the time.

Have fun and keep the pictures coming.

Kurt

Thanks guys. I knew the various groups in Alaska who did the repairs and then having ACA look it over sealed the deal. Along with the big wreck, at one point the seaplane door came (mostly) off in flight so there is a nearly double digit number of patches along the right side of the fuselage. Chicks dig scars, right?

G44, I’ve heard of those settings and will give them a try. I ran it 24/2400 all the way home and got about 9.5gph which is what I had been planning for. I am indeed looking for a cheap FS450. I’d like to replace the pointless Davtron timer with one

I’ve found the jpi fuel flow to be difficult to fill up. Every time I use one I hit the wrong button and it fills up. The EI units are very user friendly.


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Tom has a good point but Ei or JPI are both good, take your pick. I think they are around 500 bucks or so.

Kurt

I have the Electronics International fuel flow in my Scout O-360, and it works very well. Accurate to within 1/3 gallon for 30 gallons burned.

Congrats! Beautiful airplane!!

I towed sailplanes with a Scout, great machine

Congrats on the Scout. Great airplane.

We used them for 30 plus years, worked them like a pickup truck. In my opinion, a much superior aircraft than a cub. Bunch of time in both. They will not break ground like a cub, not much will. Once in the air, they are faster, have better stability, and you don’t have your knees up around your ears if you’re tall.

I found less difference in performance between a light and loaded Scout than a light and loaded cub. As well as no need to contort yourself like a pretzel getting in and out.

They are heavy on the tail. Pay attention to the tubing and tailwheel attach points. Have had both vertical tube and tw attach point issues working them over the years. Ran 8:50s, fenders (to keep the mud from flying) and a 3200 scott most of the time. Had 31s and the abw tailwheel on the last one I sold last summer, wish I would have went to them much sooner. More for the big tailwheel than the 31s, although they are great too.

If I could have figured out a way to get the last Scout registered as an experimental, i would never have sold it.

Have fun learning about it. They are a great airplane.

UpNorth

UpNorth wrote:Congrats on the Scout. Great airplane.

We used them for 30 plus years, worked them like a pickup truck. In my opinion, a much superior aircraft than a cub. Bunch of time in both. They will not break ground like a cub, not much will. Once in the air, they are faster, have better stability, and you don’t have your knees up around your ears if you’re tall.

I found less difference in performance between a light and loaded Scout than a light and loaded cub. As well as no need to contort yourself like a pretzel getting in and out.

They are heavy on the tail. Pay attention to the tubing and tailwheel attach points. Have had both vertical tube and tw attach point issues working them over the years. Ran 8:50s, fenders (to keep the mud from flying) and a 3200 scott most of the time. Had 31s and the abw tailwheel on the last one I sold last summer, wish I would have went to them much sooner. More for the big tailwheel than the 31s, although they are great too.

If I could have figured out a way to get the last Scout registered as an experimental, i would never have sold it.

Have fun learning about it. They are a great airplane.

UpNorth

I'll build you one of those, I have all the parts and learned from the guy who built 2 others for you. Haha.

Great looking plane ASA. Instead of the BBW, I would suggest the wide fork with the 4.00 glider tire. Wears much harder if landing on pavement and pretty much the same footprint. Make sure ABW set you to with the 5.00 beaver tube if you do go this route.
Rod also makes good points about the tail section. There is a STC to put removable panels on the lower tail section above the tailwheel spring that allows easy inspection of that area. All the Cadet glider tows are set up this way in Canada. Very nice setup.
Glad you found it easy to land. I didnt think you'd have a problem with it. They handle very nicely.
Have fun!
David

“I'll build you one of those, I have all the parts and learned from the guy who built 2 others for you. Haha.“

Good plan David. And yes, you did learn from a master craftsman. Josef is a great mentor.

I replaced the XVL this new years with a IO520 powered, experimental category L19. 185 wings, 180 vertical tail, modified horizontal stab, L19 flaps and fuselage. Was out with it this afternoon for the first time since I brought it back from Ontario. I think it is going to be a bunch of fun. Kind of a hopped up, metal skinned Scout.

I do miss XVL though. It will likely always be the plane nearest to my heart. Lots of time in that plane. Kinda like an old pair of boots, it just fit right.

Hard to beat a good Scout.

UpNorth

Not much to add to your questons...but after seeing her in person she is a great looking airplane. Congrats!!

ASA,

If you are getting 31’s consider the extra rubber option. They weigh a couple pounds more but more rubber = mo bettah for wear. I did this and I think its a worthwhile option to consider.

The more I look at your pictures the more I think you got a sweet airplane!

Put an Aero LED bulb in the landing light socket, money well spent!

You may want to consider the Garmin 660 and a new Air Gizmo mount for the 500 series GPS you have, the 660 is an incredible unit that has a great display. Couple the 660 to a GDL 5x portable unit and you can get all the incoming data such as weather and traffic you need, slick set up for not too much $$$

Kurt

Congrats on the new plane, she's a beauty!

Got 'er at a good time of the year just before spring and summer flying fun.

Nice looking Scout. Scouts are great airplanes, no doubt. They won't perform QUITE as well as Cubs/Huskys, but close enough for 99 % of what "normal" folks will ever do.

And, on balance, they have great heaters, they're fast in cruise, have bomb proof engines, are easy to get in and out of, are MUCH more comfortable both front and back seats, that either Cubs or Huskys. So, what's not to like?

Well, there was a time when ACA was building these things with little if any corrosion proofing in the tail. Keep an eye on the horizontal stab and the elevators, as well as the aft fuselage.

The metal spars pretty much fixed the problem of spar cracking with wood spars, unfortunately, the metal spar planes are heavier. Scouts are typically heavy, as in really pretty heavy. I think if someone wanted to really lighten one up, there are some things you could do.....

But, me? I'd just leave it as is, and enjoy it.

MTV

Thanks everyone!

Kurt - if you let me borrow your credit cards for a day, I’ll take every suggestion you have! Haha. It already has an LED light luckily. I agree with everything you’ve said, just need the $$$$. Love the 660’s.

Congratulations! Welcome to the club.

asa wrote:Thanks everyone!

Kurt - if you let me borrow your credit cards for a day, I’ll take every suggestion you have! Haha. It already has an LED light luckily. I agree with everything you’ve said, just need the $$$$. Love the 660’s.

I will mail it to ya tomorrow!