First Cruisemaster flight

M

mAlton

New member
I purchased my 14-19 N6556N in November, put lots of time, effort and money into a very extensive annual, and finally got to fly it today for the first time. When it was flown in, one of the tailbrace wires was broken and that was the start of the annual. Getting to fly it for the first time was as great as I was hoping it would be! I now am working on getting my tailwheel endorsement so I can relive today over and over many times. The only problem noticed today was that the prop gov. needs adjusted because it was turning too many rpm's at full throttle. All in all, a great day indeed.

Michael Alton
 
Hi Michael, I have 1950 14-19 N6561N. I notice high rpm's too. They don't have a govenor it is just an adjustable pitch prop if yours is like mine. I think it is normal for the rpms to increase as the airspeed increases and the static rpm is probably fine. You just need to pull back the prop some right after lift off.
Where are you located? are you having difficulty finding a CFI to do tailwheel training? I am a CFII with a Pitts and a 14-19 I would be glad to help you out if you are close.
Take care, Happy Flying!!!!
 
Thanks Lynn and I appreciate all the help you have given so far. Ronald, I live in central Indiana. I have a CFI that is helping me now. He is also the one who has done the annual for me. He has no experience with the Bellanca's or the O-435 engines so everything that comes up requires a lot of searching (especially without good manuals for these planes). Mine is also a 1950, just a little past yours it seems. After searching the back posts here I had come to the same idea that I would probably just have to back the prop off a little after climb-out. I was really surprised that when we got the plane out yesterday, there were several people that came over to check the plane out and quite a few were talking about trying to get their tailwheel endorsements as well just to have the experience. This plane may have just sparked a little interest around here.

Michael
 
I have posted an essay on the upcoming newsletter about some of the problems faced by new owners/operators. Many issues are caused by ignorance and overconfidence. This has doomed many Bellancas to damage and destruction. Insurance companies require time in type, usually with an instructor pilot, before coverage will be extended.
The Bellanca 14 and 17 series are not difficult airplanes to fly. It takes time and experience to fly them well. Knowledge of limitations, systems and performance are important. A checkout by a QUALIFIED flight instructor is essential. My friend, there are a lot of flight instructors out there. Very few are qualified to teach conventional gear and mighty few of these have knowledge and experience with Bellancas.
It's worth your time, money and body to find a qualified instructor pilot.
You are already behind the power curve if you've flown the airplane and just found that there's no prop governor installed on that airplane.
This poses the next question about qualified maintenance......
Dan
 
I agree with Glen and Dan. My instructor had lots of tailwheel time and taught me how to handle the crate. On the other hand the systems and maintenance I was on my own. It has sure been a ride living and learning. I look in the future and wonder who gets the crate after me, I insist they get with Bellanca proficent instructor. The plane is at home in the air not so the new pilot of it. Lynn the crate :!:
 
Lynn and Dan, I completely agree about having an instructor with Bellanca experience. The instructor I have would agree as well. He is constantly saying he has no experience with these planes or the O-435 engines. The problem I faced is that I live in the middle of Indiana where there aren't any instructors with Bellanca experience that I know of (not really very many with tailwheel experience). The one I am using had been a missions pilot in Bolivia flying tailwheel aircraft in and out of the jungle for 30 years. He certainly can teach the tailwheel part of it. As for the rest, maybe when I am finished, I can get with Glenn and fly to him for the rest of what I need to know about my plane. It is funny, as for an instructor, the interest seems to be there for tailwheel training. Since we have had my plane out, I have seen 4 or 5 other pilots ask Ron about taking tailwheel training just to have the experience but there isn't a single tailwheel aircraft for rent anywhere around here. It seems that an instructor with a tailwheel plane to rent out would clean-up (at least in this area).

Michael
 
Michael,

Your plan could be too late. It was in the first few hours of flying my bird that all the "excitement" occured. I highly recommend you reverse your plan, get some experienced help then your guy can finese you in safety.

Please call me and I will gladly help you over the phone. Maybe even jumpseat out to ya.

Ben
480-236-4634
 
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