Happy New Cruisair owner!

leadsledfan

leadsledfan

New member
Good Morning Everyone!
Just thought I would introduce myself as I will be reading up on this forum, and probably asking lots of questions. I just bought a 1946 Cruisair from Pat Driscoll out of Ohio, N74241. I have always been a fan of the Bellanca and finally made the plunge!
Call me crazy, but I actually plan on using the Bellanca for most of my flight training, I plan on doing my first 10-15 hours in a cessna etc, and then transitioning to the cruisair with a competent CFI for the remainder of my Private hours. The Cruisair is currently Living at Stag Air Park around Jacksonville, NC, and I have been set up with EAA 297, which is full of some awesome folks!
Unfortunately, I won't be able to start flying until around August, as I am currently deployed to eastern Europe with the Marines.

My first question would be, does anyone know of a Bellanca competent A&P in NC?
Also, any leads on a Competent CFI that has plenty of Tail Wheel time and maybe Bellanca Time?
Thanks!
 
Congratulations , and welcome to the Wood Wing Wonders. I also bought a Cruisair intending to get my private in my own plane. It turned out to be much more of a project than I expected (arent they all?), but the biggest problem was finding a CFI that would teach in it, since it doesnt have dual brakes. I was too new to say," just teach me in the right seat, and I will learn to fly without brakes." It would have made a better pilot out of me. I spent much too much money renting Cessnas with young CFIs that were time building for future jobs. Find a "GOOD" old time instructor that will let you start out in the right seat, and when he feels you are safe enough, he will put you in the left seat. You will be a better pilot for it. I managed to get some right seat flying during my training, (and since then) and didnt find the difference very hard to deal with. This Cruisair forum is a rather small group of people, but there are several CFIs that may or may not agree with me, but my thought would be to start right out with the Cruisair rather than a flight school plane with a kid that wants to be an airline pilot. Just my 2 cents worth. And again Welcome. ______Grant.
 
I think Grant hit the nail on the head. I learned to fly my Cruisemaster with an instructor friend. I started in the right seat and then moved to the left. We flew off a 2300 ft GRASS field. Once that was mastered we moved to concrete and what a difference that was! I can't thank him enough as the grass was so forgiving compared to the hard stuff. I think if we flew off the concrete first I would of ground looped it as the copilot has no brakes. Tailwheels teach pilots what their feet are for. Lynn :roll:
 
The only drawback will be the maintenance required to keep it flying reliably.
If your airplane does NOT have a big back log of long deferred maint, then there is nothing
at all wrong with the choice of the Bellanca.

Finding a REAL Full time Taildragger Instructor is important.

Just like Grant said.

there are probably many more stinsons than cruisair's flying.. so check them as a source of
day to day engine maintenance.

When it comes to an annual.. just Don't do anything but use one of the Real Bellanca Experts.
It is a waste of time to do anything else.

Read up on and learn how to do the various (easy) recurring AD's on your airplane.
That way.. nobody can blow smoke up your bleep ... trying to tell you a 20 minute job - like lubing
the aleron chain sprockets behind panel take x hours.

I have hit stone walls on several silly dirt simple AD's with cesspool mechanics ( prop ad, cowl braces)
with these guys making a mountain out of nothing at all.. out of fear and ignorance.

Check the list in the newsletter and use one of them.

It's a docile plane.. that you can fly as a fixed gear for pattern work.

Insurance will be tough and expensive...as a student.

Your CFI really should know the cruisair..and that will take some doing... but aint impossible.

Good Luck !
 
Thanks for the replies,
I will be on the hunt in the coming months for a CFI for when I return in August. Luckily the maintenance has been meticulous and the plane is emmaculate. I am planning on using miller's flying service (now rocket aviation) for my next annual, but it just passed one with flying colors so I have a bit of time.
I will also be learning on a grass strip at stag airpark, but luckily it is long and wide. Should be a fun time!
 
Congradulations on buying your Cruisair. I have talked to Pat in the past, and had the impression that he really took great care of his plane. He also helped me get a field approval for an air filter. Your should have many happy hours flying it.
Any competant CFI should have no trouble teaching you, though some may be uncomfortable not having brakes on the right side. Some start you out in the right seat, then move you to the left when they believe you (and they) are ready.
Regarding maintenance and finding an IA/A&P...
You might want to review the Mike Busch webinars on this. YOU are in charge of your plane. Review the SBs SI, Sls and Ops manuals. TALK to the people who will be doing the work on your plane BEFORE you take it in to them. Remember the Cruisair is an orphan TCDS. If you can find a knowledable local mechanic who is willing to work with you and knows something about wood, fabric and Franklins that may work for you. There are more Stinson knowledgable mechs then Cruiair mechs, and they know something about Franklins. It is so important to establish good communications and expectations before you bring in your plane. Then there should be few if any surprises.
Review the logs and be able to show the prospective mechanic that the AD's have been complied with. Verify compliance yourself; most are not beyond a non A&P to determine compliance. Fortunately there are few engine AD's and they're easy to see. You don't have to crack the case or lift the top cover to see. Make out a chronological list with the dates/hours of compliance. The IA HAS to verify compliance anyway, but by you doing so, will help him and save him time. It will also show him that you just didn't fall out of a tree, and know something about your responsibility as an owner.
You should agree beforehand that he will only do the inspection and NOT do any corrective work until he talks to you. Some work can be agreed on before, such as oil change, lubrication, etc. Just agree before he/she gets their hands on your plane. You will both be happier for it, and hopefuly help establish a great/long term relationship.
Some plane owners are happy to take their plane to a mechanic and say "have at it". That is great if you can afford it, and don't have any interest in the details of maintenance. I just haven't seen that with Cruiair owners (Viking owner, yes-Cruisair/Cruisemaster owners,no).
The problems arise when you just take it to the mechanic and say "have at it" and then are surprised at what they find/do. If you do, prepare yourself ( or at least, prepare your wallet). Our planes are not that difficult for a decent A&P to work on, they just have to know something about fabric and wood...and old planes. Good luck and enjoy your plane. They are just GREAT!
Larry Lowenkron A&P
N86866 owner for 24 years
 
Thanks for the advice!
You are correct about Pat, he took immaculate care of the cruisair, and it shows in the workmanship on the plane.
I hope to earn my ticket and have many happy hours flying N74241!
 
All,
LL. said most of what needs to be heard.
Having been a CFI since '76, my input would be to get the PP certificate in a traditional trainer.
Use the time and experience to find that one particular willing, able and skilled individual to transition
you to the 14-13. The chances of finding that person in a short period of time are slim. Over the years,
I know of two Cruisairs damaged during checkouts by underqualified CFIs. You don't need that.
After you get back from the sandbox, I can put you in touch with a Crusair owner and CFI in central VA.,
who might point you in the right direction.
Dan
 
As far as I know, the rear window is original from the factory and the same as all cruisairs, it is just painted green right behind the window. Kind of an optical illusion.
 
Now I see it. At first it appeared I was looking into the interior. Hope my eyes are good enough for at least one more medical!
 
Congrats on getting a Cruisair. Regarding flight training as a low time pilot, you won't have any trouble. Any competent tailwheel CFI can help you transition from a nose wheel trainer to your airplane - as others have said, there will be significant advantages to finding someone with make and model time, but don't obsess about it.

I have tens of thousands of hours in a variety of airplanes, but have found just a few that satisfy like the Cruisair. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.
 
I have found a competent CFI who specifies in tail wheels and flies a citabria, so I am hoping to tack on with him for my training.
I am lucky that in north carolina the weather is normally pretty great, especially in the fall.
It should prove to be a fun time!
 
You'll have a blast.

A couple things to keep in mind when using a private CFI outside of a flight school: Ask for a copy of his license / medical / latest BFR and send those to your insurance carrier and then add the CFI as a named insured on your policy. There have been isolated incidents of open pilot warranties not covering a CFI following a mishap during a dual instruction flight. It might raise your premium a bit to add a CFI to your policy, but it's money well spent if there's a mishap.

Then let your CFI fly your airplane from the left seat several times - a few times with you in the right seat and then a few times alone or with another taildragger pilot in the airplane. Every airplane is a little different and a handful of familiarization flights will be worth their weight in gold when it comes time for the CFI to be teaching you in your airplane.

Enjoy the great weather and the nice airplane.
 
Look up Scott Thomas, his handle on this forum is "twheel47".

His A/C maint operation is at Hillsville, VA (KHLX), Twin County Airport, NE of Galax Virginia about 10 miles . It's about 200nm NW of Jax, NC.

He is likely the most knowledgeable and experienced Cruisair resource on the east coast.
 
I strongly suggest that you begin in a taildragger.. and no NOT waste time and money
trying to learn in a nose dragger and then transition mid stream to a taildragger if you are a beginner.

You are trying to learn muscle and sight patterns simultaneously until they are subconscious.. like riding a bicycle is NOT an intellectual persuit.. ditto actually flying a plane.

You will find the transition from sticks and centerline to wheels and side by side hard enough...
but I still say Learn in a Citabria or Champ... maybe better a side by side tail dragger with wheel controls
just to make it easier for you.. but NOT a short winged piper !

There are still primary instructors using 2 seat tail draggers.... get soloed in one of those.. and then transition to the Bellanca.... unless you can find an instructor with plenty of time in the bellanca.

You can fly it around with the gear down at 100 mph... but look out for overheating if you do.
 
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