Getting involved with the RAF and looking forward to hopefully meeting some of you folks flying up here in the northeast. Currently flying 172s (P model out of 4B8 and M model at KDXR) and a 150G (KDXR) as well as an Archer II out of MMK (172P and Archer are club aircraft I bought into a couple months ago). With the club having very practical planes, hoping to buy something "fun" towards the end of next year or early in 2020.

Take my first taildragger lesson this weekend in a J-3-85 up at KGBR. Trying to narrow down what I want to buy - looking at lots of options at the moment. Only looking to spend no more than $25-$30K so I still have plenty of money to enjoy it. Current thoughts are towards Cessna 150 (older model) or 120/140, short wing Pipers (early stick models - Special, Super Cruiser, Family Cruiser, Clipper, Vagabond), or a Taylorcraft. Would like something with an electrical system to get a starter as well as GPS, Comm, and ADSB transponder set up. Also love the Ercoupes - though not sure of their short field performance.

Ultimately want something fun that can get me into and out of (the more important one!!), say, 1500' grass strips with relative ease.

Looking forward to meeting some of you and, maybe flying with some of you some time. Always willing to fly in and meet for breakfast or lunch some weekend and looking to do some fly camping when the warmer weather returns as well. Did my first fly in campout last September up at Parlin Field (2B3) in NH and loved it. Was in a Warrior then - would be nice to head back up in something more fun and maybe use the grass strip this time!

Man you get around to get your hands on airplanes haha. My M5 should be back from recover and paint in a few weeks. I’ve got a friend in Silver City too. We will all have to get some fun flying trips in. I’d be happy to take you for a ride to some of the grass strips around the area.

I got my TW endorsement at KBGR as well. Great friendly airport, one of the nicest I've been to. I assume Rick may be your instructor, great guy. Say hi to him for me. I keep a RANS S7S at Westfield KBAF, don't rule out an experimental as a good TW plane. RANS S7S is one of the best for the price. If you get over here (for the restaurant maybe) give me a call, just look out for the F15's!
Pete

I'm up at tanner hiller (8B5) in Massachusetts if you want to take a look around a cessna 140! Theyll keep up with most off airport style airplanes as long as you keep them light. Just be aware of density altitude with these and you'll be fine, but that shouldn't be an issue out east too often if ever.

There used to be a guy south of BOS that might be able to steer you. Not sure if he flies anymore. trying to remember his name......

CT_Pilot wrote:…..short wing Pipers (early stick models - Special, Super Cruiser, Family Cruiser, Clipper, Vagabond), or a Taylorcraft. Would like something with an electrical system to get a starter as well as GPS, Comm, and ADSB transponder set up. Also love the Ercoupes - though not sure of their short field performance. Ultimately want something fun that can get me into and out of (the more important one!!), say, 1500' grass strips with relative ease. ....

FWIW the Clipper & Vag are the only short-wings in your list.
Also FWIW, you should try one out for yourself but IMHO the Ercoupe is a dog.

You might be able to avoid transponder & ADS-B requirements if you get something with a battery-only electrical system.
This has been discussed before.

I seem to recall someone in that area who was really popular on the 170 Association forums.

pouellette wrote:I got my TW endorsement at KBGR as well. Great friendly airport, one of the nicest I've been to. I assume Rick may be your instructor, great guy. Say hi to him for me. I keep a RANS S7S at Westfield KBAF, don't rule out an experimental as a good TW plane. RANS S7S is one of the best for the price. If you get over here (for the restaurant maybe) give me a call, just look out for the F15's!
Pete

They have me down with Jose Millares. Ex Army (Chinook) pilot - looking forward to meeting him, rode on several of those bad ass birds back in the day.

gdflys wrote:Man you get around to get your hands on airplanes haha. My M5 should be back from recover and paint in a few weeks. I’ve got a friend in Silver City too. We will all have to get some fun flying trips in. I’d be happy to take you for a ride to some of the grass strips around the area.

Your up at OXC, right? Yeah, the bummer of living in Norwalk is not having any airports particularly close. BDR is the closest I guess at about 20-25 minutes drive. DXR has been fun though, love the little bit of a challenge the surrounding hills throw in, though paying for 15-20 minutes of taxi time for a flight isn't the greatest!

Heading up in the Maule sometime sounds fun - used to love their add with the plane taking off out of the hangar! They definitely have some great STOL capabilities.

hotrod180 wrote:

CT_Pilot wrote:…..short wing Pipers (early stick models - Special, Super Cruiser, Family Cruiser, Clipper, Vagabond), or a Taylorcraft. Would like something with an electrical system to get a starter as well as GPS, Comm, and ADSB transponder set up. Also love the Ercoupes - though not sure of their short field performance. Ultimately want something fun that can get me into and out of (the more important one!!), say, 1500' grass strips with relative ease. ....

FWIW the Clipper & Vag are the only short-wings in your list.
Also FWIW, you should try one out for yourself but IMHO the Ercoupe is a dog.

You might be able to avoid transponder & ADS-B requirements if you get something with a battery-only electrical system.
This has been discussed before.

Yeah, I've heard the Ercoupes don't climb particularly well. I want ADS-B in/out, although you're right - anything originally built and certified without an electrical system doesn't have to comply. But I like to see and be seen, so looking forward to it - it is helpful in the sometime congested airspace in southern New England (great coupled to ForeFlight).

hotrod180 wrote:FWIW the Clipper & Vag...

Vag, pronounced with the hard "g," as it were.

No better value than a 150hp Pacer. Cough up $20K, laugh all the way to the fly-in. And there's no end to the available legal mods for them.

At this point in mine, I'm comfortable inside of about 700' for landing, but have put it onto several river bars that are under 500'. They will definitely make you a solid pilot who can fly a wing and use power as a flight control.

I could go on, but it'll soon be a video series for all to enjoy and laugh at.

Good luck.

I’m new to this forum and this is an old topic but, just wondering why no one mentioned a Stinson 108?

The reason the Ercoupe is considered a dog is because it was designed to prevent pilots from stalling. The up elevator is restricted and the stop prevents the pilot from killing himself and the airplane. Most pilots get their nose out of joint about that.

So no, it will not pitch up rapidly and to the critical angle of attack. It will climb fine in its class and will land as short as most in its class. Power pitch such that pitch controls airspeed and power controls glideslope is necessary, same as any airplane, to touchdown slowly and softly on the numbers consistently. What makes the Ercoupe easy is that we can have the elevator to the stop before touchdown. Don't pull that power until touchdown.

I know, no machismo if a kid can fly it.

contactflying wrote:The reason the Ercoupe is considered a dog is because it was designed to prevent pilots from stalling. The up elevator is restricted and the stop prevents the pilot from killing himself and the airplane. Most pilots get their nose out of joint about that.

So no, it will not pitch up rapidly and to the critical angle of attack. It will climb fine in its class and will land as short as most in its class. Power pitch such that pitch controls airspeed and power controls glideslope is necessary, same as any airplane, to touchdown slowly and softly on the numbers consistently. What makes the Ercoupe easy is that we can have the elevator to the stop before touchdown. Don't pull that power until touchdown.

I know, no machismo if a kid can fly it.

Ahhhhh.....uh huh, whatever, its still a dog.

OK. Without rudder it won't maneuver aggressively. You can see throughout a turn and have a wing to crash on, however.

Beautiful day to fly yesterday in southern New England. New to the area for work for a year (Newport, RI). By no means backcountry, but some beautiful flying and locations to be had. Got my hands on a nice Cherokee 180 that I can pretty much use whenever, so taking full advantage of it while I can. Been up and down Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard so far, but always looking for good spots to fly.

Didn't want a great day of flying to pass, so decided to fly out to Goodspeed (42B) yesterday for lunch. I did not get any good pics at Goodspeed (quite a few good videos on YouTube by others), but got a good one coming back into Newport. The other is the little island chain just north of Martha's Vineyard off the tip of Woods Hole.

Would like to link up with any BCPers in the area. If anybody has any suggestions on dates or locations, I am all ears.

JB

Mojave Flyer wrote:...If anybody has any suggestions on dates or locations, I am all ears.

JB

I recall Block Island having a nice airport that is a quick walk to a pleasant beach.

Thanks for the recommendation. that is on my list. Katama on Martha's Vineyard is also a great spot. Too bad they don't allow camping. Would be a great spot.

Plum Island, MA is nice as 2B2. Paved & grass runways with a lobster shack within walking distance - Bob lobster. I think they are open through Dec. Keene, NH EEN,is definitely not backcountry, but real nice folks there and I heard the new restaurant is great. Alton Bay, NH does a ice runway in the winter, they have a Facebook page to let everyone know about the status. Lots of nice country North of you in NY, VT, NH & ME. Our strip isn't plowed in the winter (Just got hooked up with skis for the Champ!), but GFL is close and if you head up our way and ski I can hook you up with tickets for Gore Mt. 100+ trails, 14 lifts & 2,500' vert.and probably a vehicle as well.

Pete

Sounds great Pete. Thanks. Haven't skied in a few years, but sounds great. I'll drop you a line if I can squeeze out a ski trip.

JB