Sport Pilot Talk

I had a chance today to do a flight review in a fellow's Cessna 120.



Built in 1947!

That's 2 years before I was born!! It's got to be about the oldest plane I've had the pleasure to fly in, though I think an Ercoupe I flew in was around the same vintage.

It's remarkable to me that something designed and built 70 years ago is still flying and flying well.

Both my student and myself are roughly the same age. We're both hanging in there, but to be honest, I think the plane is winning!

The little 85hp engine was remarkably smooth and quiet. Bits were certainly dated - PULL TO START? - but still fully capable. Performance was modest of course, but cruise was not far off from my Sky Arrow, 60 years its junior.

Overall? I'm impressed!

I am sitting here at my work computer looking through the window at the profile view of my father's 1941 Taylorcraft sitting in my shop. I have recently been doing flight training with my two sons in it. We just got the plane back in the air after its second restoration, just in time to take it to Oshkosh this year. Where it won an award. I really enjoy flying the old planes. Our next project is a 1937 A model Taylorcraft with a A-40 Continental.

Restoring older aircraft sounds like a great hobby.

Here's a shot of the 120's panel:

Classic plane and panel, I love the vintage look! The Ercoupe (I assume you are talking about mine) is a 1948. It is amazing how well they hold up when properly fed and cared for!

Born in '49 myself and I'd venture the planes are holding up better than I am - LOL

Can't quite make out what the "inop" instrument is???

Jim Hardin wrote:Can't quite make out what the "inop" instrument is???

If you zoom in on it, it's marked "0" in the center with gradations of "10" and "20" on both sides.

Pretty sure it must be an ammeter.

Didn't try that, sounds logical