Flight of horror? Or not? - 1946 Aeronca Champ 7AC (S3E1)

X-Wind landings and visual tips on how to properly land in a steady 8-10 mph cross wind scenario.

[@mightaswellbe]

Thanks for that ride. It's been decades since I flew a Champ. Much fun was had.

[@GrimshawAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it! I hope you stick around and watch more content as i am able to make it!

[@jameskarney9577]

Learned to fly in a1939 model at 15, great times

[@Kevin_747]

I've been flying the same Champ since 1969. Family heirloom bought by my dad in 1961. Recovered twice and still going strong. Like all your camera locations. Im one of those cranky old dudes that could do without the disco music but who cares what I think.

[@backandforthupanddow]

I don’t even know you, but I like you!

[@kenc5182]

I have a 1946 Taylorcraft. I’ve had it rock in the chains on windy day and mag switch makes contact. Also had someone bump throttle which was exciting. Luckily I was taught to expect hot mags for safety and engine running up. The reason I say this is tie tail wheel or put something under front wheels for safety. I consider keeping the tail wheel chained while prop starting safest. I witnessed a luscumb throttled up in chains almost get a guy. It had one wing tied. It basically flew in a circle out of control until they managed to get it stopped. Hate to see you get hurt. Beautiful airplane!!!

[@GrimshawAviation]

Thank you!

[@pkitfox]

Nice video! Looks sorta like my 7AC.

[@mikefogle5874]

Nice work. Not a fan of music on the video, but hey, thumbs up from me bro. Good job Sir!

[@GrimshawAviation]

I appreciate that

[@Siren851]

Nice video. Always liked the Aeronca.

[@GrimshawAviation]

It’s a beautiful and innocent plane. Restored to as original as possible. Wish it had some electronics and possibly a starter...but eh 🤷🏻‍♂️ I get by with batteries and hand propping. Nothing teaches you more about respecting an aircraft then having to hand prop it every time lmao

[@Siren851]

@@GrimshawAviation You just gotta perfect that special backward kick as you swing the blade through a power stroke! I see that you love your plane.

[@thomashulsey97]

Now thats flying.

[@GrimshawAviation]

Absolutely!

[@craighatzi6559]

Wally had a Tail Draggar,Dad's had trike gear..Back in the 60s

[@GrimshawAviation]

Beautiful aircraft

[@redwing47543]

All wheel landings I see. Have not yet mastered those in my 46 Champ. Still trying to perfect the 3 point...getting there. Good videography.

[@GrimshawAviation]

You know its funny...I try to do a three point and it just ends up being a tail low wheel landing haha. But they're not that hard to get used to. Just get in the habit of the sight picture of where the ground needs to be in the window as you're setting down in each configuration. Doing a full on wheel landing requires a little bit of power for me. Otherwise like I said, its always a wheel landing with the tail low.

[@TheAirplaneDriver]

Nice job on your takeoffs and landings. I gotta ask.....you had the tail tied down or chocks on the left side when you hand propped it didn’t you?

[@GrimshawAviation]

Yes, most of the time I tie the tail down to my truck. I’ve been asked if we should put a tie down ring flush with the tarmac, but don’t know how the county would feel about that. But I also chock as well. I always set brakes as well as one other element such as chock or tie down. Only one time I had to use just brakes out at Executive because I had nothing else haha. But it was a uphill start

[@aussiesam01]

3:41 That looks a damn site closer to being down wind than cross wind!

[@GrimshawAviation]

It was variable. The wind at this airport constantly moves around. EVERY SOCK shows a different wind most of the time....and there are three socks on this field haha.

[@blainepetsupplies5354]

Death grip on that stick lol

[@GrimshawAviation]

Death grip?

[@alaskanalain]

would this make a good bush plane or should I look for something else with flaps and bigger than 100HP?

[@GrimshawAviation]

Well honestly that all depends on just where you're going to fly into and how you're going to use the plane. Could it be a bush plane...yes. But the 65 horse probably would not be enough. There are 75 and 85 models as well as O-200 100hp swaps with the 85. But for the price and fuel consumption...

[@cr-us9ch]

How tall are you and how comfortable is the champ. Also, do you have any baggage room?

[@GrimshawAviation]

I am 6’ and the champ has plenty of room. It was built for men coming back from war so they were averagely y’all. There is a storage compartment but it’s not very big. I would say you can put a single medium size suit case if you had to.

[@thebuggy736]

What is the "eye" on the top of the cockpit for? Thanks

[@GrimshawAviation]

Well i was totally confused by your question. But i think i have figured out what you're talking about. Are you talking about the fuel gauge that is above the instruments? The fuel tank sits just above my legs and is in the nose of the aircraft. There are two ports in the top, one being the gauge that tells me the approximate fuel level and the fill which is on the outside in front of the window.

[@thebuggy736]

@@GrimshawAviation Thank you. This answered my question.

[@leaettahyer9175]

That’s a nice death trap machine.

[@GrimshawAviation]

Lmao well I guess you’ll never go flying 🤷🏻‍♂️ it’s actually the safest and easily glided aircraft ever built....

[@barrynash1676]

Explain with your credentials please. I have had privilege of owning and flying one and it's an absolute joy.

[@shawncoleman8530]

This airplane is incredibly safe... It wil just barely kill you, and only if you let it!

[@stevezvada313]

What airport did you record this video?

[@GrimshawAviation]

F72 Franklin Airport

[@sjsz06]

@@GrimshawAviation you say that like you expect everyone to know what state that's in....

[@sjsz06]

The last time I flew was in the '70's out of Haskell Ok. 1950 Cessna 140A. Never did get my license. long story.

[@Kevin_747]

@@sjsz06 Look it up on airnav.com. instead of acting like the internet owes you.

[@rickrickard2788]

I have so little, Imma take what THEY have.

[@GrimshawAviation]

Hahaha

[@georgefalconer9810]

If you notice the music it is too much.

[@GrimshawAviation]

Is only the beginning and the end...

[@rogerwilco4736]

What!! Hand starting without chocks and stick not tied back. In my flying days actions like that could see you severely reprimanded or even grounded. Also see many these days start an aircraft with the rear pointing into a hangar. Another no no in my day

[@GrimshawAviation]

Nobody ever believes me when I say the brakes are rock solid, plus I start with fuel off. BUT you’re right. I have started before without chocks or tie down. There’s nowhere to tie down to that isn’t into the hangar (I don’t start with rear facing the hangar either). And if I use my car, I have to leave a running and unattended aircraft alone while I move my car. Sometimes and more often I use chocks only on the right side, which wouldn’t prevent an accident but would help more than nothing. Hand propping an aircraft is just dangerous no matter how you do it 🤷🏻‍♂️.

[@quinnjim]

Isn't there an FAR that states a qualified person has to be in the cockpit while hand propping?

[@GrimshawAviation]

If there is, then I have never seen it. But hand propping needs to be done with extreme caution. Tiedowns are best, but you can chock the wheels instead. Having another person there to assist is nice as well. And a "qualified" person can be whoever you appoint and as long as they know what they are doing. A brief instruction on how this extremely difficult aircraft operates is suggested if you value your limbs and life. Anyways, I have never seen anything on hand propping and needing a second person. Otherwise when then heck would you ever fly??

[@quinnjim]

@@GrimshawAviation I looked it up. There is no regulation, but there is an FAA handbook that says you should have two people. They get you under 91.3 (careless and reckless). There are some pretty scary videos of planes that "get away" (including a Cirrus). Here is a clip from an article I found from AOPA. Technically...I don't think it's illegal. Just make sure you know where the throttle is. According to AOPA's Mike Yodice there is no specific FAA regulation that applies to hand propping an airplane, either to prohibit it or to direct how it is to be done. Yodice is Director of Legal Service Plans (for AOPA) at Yodice Associates. However, he writes “The FAA contends that hand propping is a two-person operation and has expressed this view in the Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A) under the section titled 'Hand propping.'” The NTSB board, in a case involving an VariEze experimental aircraft that “got away” and ran into a parked aircraft, affirmed an administrative law judge’s finding that there had been a 91.10 (now 91.13) violation. The board maintained that, “The standard procedures set forth in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Flight Training Handbook provide that an engine should never be hand-propped unless a qualified individual is seated at the controls and the brake is set.” Several commenters have written about solo hand propping an aircraft without any problems - see the below foot note, but Yodice writes “There have been at least two previously issued NTSB (full board) decisions and one subsequent decision that refer to these generally accepted procedures and precautions for hand propping. The precedent has been set. So, hand proppers beware; if you fail to follow proper precautions and the airplane gets away, the FAA might pursue action against you for being careless or reckless.”

[@brookewoody8620]

Grimshaw Aviation what do do if you are out in the bush by your self

[@TheAirplaneDriver]

No

[@quinnjim]

@@TheAirplaneDriver Read all the comments. There is no specific regulation, but they can get you for "careless and reckless operation". It has been done.