Flying a 1941 BL-65 Taylorcraft

[@LJDRVR]

Sure love the BL-65’s. I went flying with Steve Van Kirk once in his at Control Aero back around 1990.

[@gabrielp2286]

Where is this wonderful place where people look so chill and have there own flight fields?

[@robertwolfe8680]

Thank you for the flight. I love those old small planes.

[@chrisward7030]

I love Andrew’s narration mixed with all of the different camera angles! Really entertaining

[@dimitripavlakos1070]

Amazing aircraft!! Those were the days!! Beautiful!!

[@charlesmoore3321]

Airplanes AND ice cream, doesn't get any better than this.

[@neohiomale1947]

Great watching this video, my mom worked as an inspector during the war at the Taylor craft factory in alliance Ohio.

[@bretwhitmore8855]

AWESOME video. When you can "feel" the flight from stable cameras that aren't making everybody motion-sick just trying to keep up, that's what I call some quality video work. You and your team totally NAILED it! That mellow and inspiring background music also adds so much to the experience. In 1973 I was just 12 years old, and a work buddy of my Dad's had a couple of planes he was always bugging my Dad to come out and see. Finally my Dad gave-in and took my little brother and I along. It also just so happened that it was my little brother's 10th birthday that day. So while my Dad's friend took my Dad and little brother up in his Cessna as a surprise birthday treat for him, one of the man's adult sons saw me standing on the ground watching them them climb higher and sail further away. I guess I must have looked a little left-out, so the young man asked me if I could help him for a second to open the heavy door to his old barn hangar. We rolled-away the big door and lo and behold there sat a vintage Taylorcraft BC-12D! He did a quick pre-flight, and he told me where it was safe to push, and we rolled her out onto the grass. Not 15 minutes later I was in the cockpit with the distinct smells of dust and Avgas, but he didn't let me sit on the right. Instead, he wanted me in the PILOT's seat! We buckled in and he cranked her up, then after she was ready, he flew us off the private grass strip from the copilot's side. I will never forget the feeling of total and absolute freedom I felt the first time that wing lifted us and I watched the surrounding wheat fields fall away. Before long he asked the question: "How old are you?" I told him. "Have you ever driven anything before in your life?" I shouted back over the noise that I drove my Grandfather's tractor for farm chores sometimes, and I mowed the lawn with my Dad's yard tractor every week. "That's good enough for me!" he said, and off his hands and feet came from the controls. Thinking he had gone completely crazy, I grabbed that yoke for all I was worth, assuming he'd given us up for dead. Eventually my feet found the rudder pedals as well, and for some reason it came natural to me to roll the ailerons a tad and level us out from the bank he'd put us in, bringing us back to level flight. That's when it happened. Right then and there the aviation bug bit me, but hard! We weren't heading for an imminent crash. I was actually flying the plane! I'd never experienced anything as cool as that in all my life. He talked me through keeping the nose up a little and following a local road to navigate, and he helped me stay lined-up by showing me how to kick in a little left rudder to counteract the light cross-wind. For about 20 of the finest minutes in my life I was solidly hooked. I never wanted it to end! I've been in love with aviation all these years since. I dream of owning and flying my own bird someday. I eventually served in the Air Force (as an NCO) for almost 15 years, and I also became a professional aerospace historian. I've flown in all sorts of military and commercial aircraft in the decades since then, but there's nothing like that "first love" to renew the magic. Thanks so much Dewey for this wonderful revisit to one of the finest memories of my own younger days!

[@KyleCowden]

Absolutely beautiful. Caught a ride in a Taylorcraft (not sure if it was the same model but similar) and had a few minutes "hands on" when I was 14. I can still smell it.

[@marttclupperopendoorflying7558]

You just can't beat a vintage taildragger (with color in the paint) over green fields in the evening! Love it : )

[@albertogarciaarango2411]

BEAUTYFUL FLIGHT...45 MPH STALL SPEED!!!

[@michaelhaas467]

Beautiful. Sunset flights, in classic airplanes, can't be beat!

[@miguelslade]

Dewey and Andrew, thank you both so much, such an evocative series. Really enjoyed the photography and Andrew's thoughts on the Taylorcraft, an excellent production all round.

[@marks3290]

Great video. I watch it over and over. Switching my plan from ultralight training to a Sport Pilot certification. Will be getting trained in a Taylorcraft. Thanks to you both for the inspiration. I love the classics; simple, proven and well made.

[@gabrielp2286]

Super relaxing the video. I keep watching it.

[@danielbasovitch5087]

Dewey, I LOVE LOW and SLOW ! The air to air is so beautiful in the sundown light. Great video as usual.

[@dogfightapparel3653]

Thank you Dewey & Andrew! We could watch these videos all day long. very informative and the footage is beautiful. Keep them coming!

[@boogerwood]

Thanks for sharing. My dad‘s first plane was a taylorcraft. And he flew that until he picked up a J3 cub from a mechanic who was owed $286. The guy skipped town so my dad paid off the bill and picked up the J3 cub for $286. He later sold that with the Taylorcraft to buy himself a Cessna 172. He then flew that for the civil air patrol. I lost my dad to Covid in 2020. He lead an amazing life and inspired me to pursue aviation with my son. We are currently working on our private license. I hate that it took me this long, but better late than never. And now I get to enjoy this passion with my son.

[@DeweyDavenport]

Aaron that is a unique story. Thanks for sharing that with us. I am sorry to hear about your dad. I am sure he is proud of you. Where do you live? If I ever get out in that area I would try to look you up.

[@boogerwood]

@@DeweyDavenport DFW Texas. Fly out of Grand Prairie. Would love it! Would even treat you to $100 fajitas. 😁

[@sky3353]

Absolutely beautiful video. All of you did a great job. Loving all of this!

[@kevincollins8014]

Captured some amazing footage that evening. Great work by everyone involved. Thanks for sharing and what a beautiful little aircraft.

[@westtexas5754]

THANK YOU so much, Dewey, Andrew and Dan for making this video! The T-Craft is my favorite. Flew a 1946 BC-12D out of the old Freeway Airport in Tucson, Arizona many years ago. Dewey, glad you are doing so well. Take it easy as you get your strength back.

[@EduardoFritisRealtor]

Excellent video, great narration!

[@flyinbiker2001]

Thanx Dewey n Crew love the Vintage stuff , great camera work

[@davidbucklew804]

Great landing! Mine floats forever and a bounce or two sometimes on landings.

[@scottmonroe6522]

I remember reading about this restoration in sport aviation and it really is incredible the level of authenticity that it represents. As an example, the screws throughout the airframe are slot head white cad plated as there were no Phillips head prior to WW2. I saw this airplane for sale several times, once for the paltry sum of only 20K! As steal for such an authentic aircraft.

[@sailhavasu]

Goal in life: land at the DeweyDrome one day and shake hands with the man himself. (With prior permission of course!) Awesome video my man. Please keep me coming ! So glad to see you doing good , smiling and flying !!!!

[@dennissumnerdsumner4804]

Loved it, could almost smell the grass and corn. Looked like a fun evening.

[@DeweyDavenport]

Thanks Dennis. It was a fun evening in the summer.

[@henryhayter8556]

Excellent video, what a nice evening to fly!

[@Joseph-nk8se]

Beautiful airplane

[@feralchimp]

Good vibes throughout. Hope to visit corn country in a Champ or Citabria someday. Thanks for the intro to the Taylorcraft!

[@paulschmauss]

How difficult to find parts I have a 1975 F19 lycombing 235 118? Really enjoyed your video.

[@johnfisher1834]

Good to see you back doing videos

[@DeweyDavenport]

John, It feels good being back at it a bit

[@mikeb2611]

beautiful

[@mikefogle5874]

Very nice and I love the colors on that TCraft. Thanks Fellas!

[@BiscuitsStuckToTheWall]

That was some great video footage in the formation flight. Cool video all the way around.

[@DeweyDavenport]

Thanks Ratty. We had some fun with the T-craft

[@bowhuntinoh]

Love those old taildraggers.

[@TomGarner4505]

Great camera work, it gives it a lovely golden age feel.

[@DeweyDavenport]

Thanks Tom. We have a lot of fun playing around in the summer.

[@Lt_Tragg]

I hope I can meet Andrew someday. I'm in possession of a rare antique classic his uncle Richard once owned. I suspect Andrew learned to fly in it.

[@bennietipton2820]

I love these old birds

[@danielwilliams8739]

I got my ticket in a 1939 T-Craft in 1959 at the late Hinsdale, Illinois airport,

[@greybeard5774]

Great stuff .. thanks a lot! :))

[@shannonwittman950]

Very nice video of one of the first airplanes that got me interested in building rubber-power flying scale models as a boy. The smaller version Comet kit, to be exact. Interesting to learn that the 65hp. Lycoming was smoother but less powerful than the 65 hp. Continental. Dad had the Continental in his J-3 Cub. Also, I did not know that this airplane had control wheels instead of sticks! Along with the side-by-side seating, I can imagine these two hot items brought much interest among pilots looking at Piper Cubs, Aeronca Champions and the various Porterfield and Rearwin airplanes. I understand that Taylorcraft eventually created a four-place airplane but it did not sell well. Maybe those pilots looking for four-seaters were wanting to graduate to the "modern" Pipers and the Stinsons. I always thought it strange that Piper built the really pretty Family Cruiser, but as with the larger Taylorcraft, it too did not sell well. Odd, then, that the Piper Tri-Pacer, physically smaller than the Family Cruiser, sold like hotcakes! When I was building balsa models, Dad used to get the monthly Trade-A-Plane newspaper and there were always lots of Taylorcraft planes that could be had for a song!

[@sam-nariman6236]

where is your fricking parachute? LMAO 🤣 This aircraft is my dream, I hope one day I get my license and get one of these just for relaxing.

[@photog_delgado]

Really enjoyed these videos!

[@richarddarlington1139]

Love the T-Crate (note my icon). The best thing about it? It's NOT a Cub!

[@scottwoods3997]

Awesome! Stop in if you’re in NC and we’ll go flying!

[@CaptainCam]

Awesome video Dewey!

[@DeweyDavenport]

Thanks Captain Cam.

[@michaelstern1945]

Great formation flying beautiful shooting. I hope you are feeling better and over the virus.

[@jeffwoodroof8000]

Would love to come and meet you and see that Taylorcraft. I pastor a church in Plattsburg and live in West Carrollton. My wife's grandfather built this years ago and got to ride in his. We'll go to Youngs dairy...my treat.

[@chrismunoz999]

Nice views!🛩️

[@bentonbee1]

Neat video!

[@DeweyDavenport]

Thanks for watching.

[@mikemonce1405]

Great video

[@DeweyDavenport]

Thanks Mike

[@trevcessna1723]

Very nice plane and place. This is the first video of yours I’ve watched, hopefully you have a flight companion of the Aeronca Chief and Taylor Craft. Thanks!

[@JohnChvatalGSTV]

Really enjoyed this video Dewey! I think I need to talk my friend into doing a formation photo flight. A mutual friend coincidentally has a Champ as well. I’ve flown in his Champ on a photo flight before.

[@billducas]

I've got time in a BC-12D with the A65 engine, and a J-3 with the Lycoming. Isn't the difference with the oil pressure between the Lycoming and the Continental engines is that the Continental takes the oil pressure reading after it passes through the engine, thus making the oil pressure lower, and slower to come up at start-up, where the Lycoming takes the oil pressure reading before going through the engine, making it show higher oil pressure, and to indicate quicker oil pressure during start-up. At least that was I was told years ago.

[@noahshatto7218]

I'm part of EAA chapter 729, and we have been rebuilding a 1940 Taylorcraft BC65. We've been looking for a full wheel yoke. Do you know of any place where we might be able to find one?

[@johnmajane3731]

Beautiful plane, nice video. I have never flown one. Time in Aeronca Champ, Chief, Piper Cub and Rearwin Skyranger but never the Taylorcraft.

[@madpriest7822]

What propeller is that?

[@Piperfan71]

Nice vid, beautiful aircraft 👍

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

That is SUCH a beautiful plane! Can that flipper doo-hickey bee converted to a conventional trim tab?

[@tylerrockwell6080]

Cool video

[@fight2flyphoto]

Beautiful video! I'm curious, what camera are you using to get the audio in the Taylorcraft cockpit?

[@DeweyDavenport]

That's my cell phone with a audio Jack think it's a ( inflightcam device)

[@elosogonzalez8739]

What a fun video. Would you recommend the A-65 Continental vs. the Lycoming?

[@DeweyDavenport]

Continental all the way. If you can avoid the Lycoming I would for a number of reasons.

[@elosogonzalez8739]

@@DeweyDavenport Thanks for the speedy response! Love the antiques! My dad had numerous airplanes when I was a kid. Eventually looking for something for economic cross country Taildragger a must! Thanks!

[@DeweyDavenport]

A Pipers Pacer, Stinson 108 are pretty good deals. I know there are plenty of others out there too.

[@fetengineer9151]

If I'm not mistaken too much, I think you are flying above Clark/Greene County, Ohio... I know exactly where Youngs Jersey Farms is at. That's some good ice cream. I miss Ohio.

[@vandy750ss]

Is the diehedral less on prewar?

[@janharris2171]

I soloed this plane when I was 16 in pekin il. I am now 63 I have pics of this plane when it was green and white n29815 still have my log book. I would really like to get in contact with its owner

[@chasefranzen]

Hi Jan - my girlfriend and I own 815 now. Would love to see those photos!

[@Agwings1960]

If you compare the T-craft with a J-3 cub, both equipped with 65hp engines, how much faster is the T-craft in cruise over the cub.

[@DanasWings]

About 20 mph.

[@rescue270]

Why do so many guys think they need to kick the leg out when prop starting these little planes? You only need to do that when you're starting up a big engine like a Wright Whirlwind or something. These little ones you just step back as you pull it through.

[@DanasWings]

Very nice. My first plane was a 1941 BC12-65, great airplane, it kept me alive through all the stupid things a young pilot is wont to do.

[@loganreuter6072]

Hand propping a plane looks like one of the scariest things you can do.

[@DeweyDavenport]

It's not so scary if you know what your doing and make sure the brakes work

[@jimmorris5090]

When I bought my Champ, I was concerned about solo propping, but after flying solo from North Carolina to Northern Nevada, I seriously would not want a starter. Mine starts with 1 pull 90% or the time when cold. I sometimes need 2-3 when warm as when doing a fuel stop. Hand propping these little 65 HP engines is easy. You have to develop good habits. Get instruction from someone who knows what they are doing. Even though it is easy, you don't get any mistakes, so you got to keep your head in the game.

[@amandaweldy792]

I think I would take my chances hand flipping that one before I ever tried another DA200 😔

[@DeweyDavenport]

@@jimmorris5090 what part of Nevada do you live? I get out to Vegas a few times a year. Maybe I can stop by to check it out.

[@jimmorris5090]

@@DeweyDavenport I live in Sparks, next to Reno. The Champ is hangared in Carson City airport, CXP. If you get up northern NV, let me know.

[@mikefogle5874]

Love it. Subscribed. Would like to come up there sometime and check out the drome.

[@DeweyDavenport]

Definitely

[@spurgear4]

I have 2 lycoming o 145 cores in the basement if he's interested.