Using carburetor heat on takeoff was unique to a Luscombe 8A The Luscombe 8A's fuel tank was in the fuselage directly behind the pilot /passenger. The Model 8 used the new horizontally opposed small . Bluntly speaking, the cabin is just plain small by todays standards. Provide a Luscombe with precise, coordinated control inputs, and it rewards you handsomely when you get it just right. Already a member? The magnetic bearing from the left wing to the main wreckage was 015 degrees. Gross wt. mdi-signal-distance-variant Focal Length: . In 1955 the type certificate was sold to an organization in Colorado. The general aviation aircraft is a high-wing, monoplanes with side-by-side seating. Frank Johnson, Howard Jong (aka Young), Fred Knack. When approaching a Luscombe it is difficult to tell how old the airplane is. Each offer sits own individual blend of strengths and weaknesses. Add to Compare. Mine was all metal, don't know anything about the rag wing, some say the rag wing is faster. Restored Luscombe 8A Costs ($50,000 to $75,000). Private ( F-PMCD) | Luscombe 8a Silvaire. One of the rarest Luscombes, only 24 currently appear on the U.S. registry. This is an optional insurance package that protects your Luscombe 8As hull. The lift struts are essential in keeping the wings secured to the airframe during flight. Just open the door and say "load up"he will find room. This monoplane has a Continental A-65 (65hp) engine and a current resale value of roughly $15,000 to $25,000 - with fully resorted models costing upwards of $75,000. Read More About: Luscombe Aircraft Corporation Sidebar Silvaire LSA-8 Silvery LSA-8 Has a Great Tradition, Now Built New After spending years watching every video I could find about flying, I finally scratched the itch and got my pilots license. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Luscombe Aircraft closed in 1949, with its assets purchased by Temco Aircraft, also US-based. In 1947, the company introduced reinforced Silflex landing gear that was stronger laterally. Very similar to my C-140 questions. The 8, 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D were equipped with various engines ranging from 50 to 75 hp. This was our first flight in the plane, we. Album Like Share. Luscombe pilots have broken off tailwheels on bumpy fields and discovered that they could fly home, make a wheel landing, apply a little brake and power, then taxi to the ramp while holding the tail in the air. as often stated). He dropped progressively larger engines into the tough, diminutive airframes until, by the late 1960s, 150-hp stud brutes were rocketing off of the grass at Larsen Field. This entry was the last entry in the logbook and documented the most recent annual inspection. McCauley metal prop. My two cents. Calculation of declared distances. His new venture opened in Fort Collins, Colorado, as Silvaire Uranium and Aircraft Corp. From 1956 to 1961, this firm produced 80 aircraft. While it may be nothing but showmanship, the Silvaire can make a good pilot look very good and let the pilot flying it have a ball. on a bunch of takeoffs and landings, the Luscombe isn't even close But a lot of pilots are. Distance: nearest first; List View; 48 Results. They are admired and prized by those who know them well. - Use this form or email to reach out to us: feedback@planephd.com. There are a handful of insurance options to choose from, but ultimately, it should not cost more than $500 to $950 per year. Jean-Marie Hanon | Diest Schaffen. Luckily, the low cost of operating and owning a Luscombe 8A is reflected in the price of insuring this monoplane. Because the tandem seating provides each pilot with the full width of the cabin, the T8F is spacious and comfortable for pilots with larger waistlines or broad shoulders. Brand: Luscombe - Remove Filter; Brand. Theyre not award winners, but theyre not priced like them either. Compressions all 78 or higher Hand Prop Start . (3.5 gallons/hr @ $5.40/gal), Misc: landing, parking, supplies,catering, etc, Typical Price: $88,429.00 Luscombe 8a - Restoring Aircraft Interiors The AV8R's 1.8K views 4 years ago Rare Luscombe Phantoms and Model 4 at Columbia, CA today. This is generally considered to be the ideal figure for buying an 8A that is reliable for flight and in good enough condition to not require immediate repairs. gained in a labor and dollar intensive conversion. Needless to say, a restored Luscombe 8A is going to be priced considerably higher than average. A properly leaned Silvaire generally has greater endurance than its pilot, simply because of the small cabin. Added new article from Ravi Fry Luscombe Assn. Takeoff Power Maximum power permissible for takeoff. - Use this form or email to reach out to us: feedback@planephd.com. The 8A is equipped with a Continental A-65-8 engine. John Larsen, son of Moody, now runs things at Larsen Field. Best Range: 519 NM ( Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Find it free on the store. Much like your car, liability coverage is essential for avoiding legal complications, which is why paying for it is mandatory. It was designed as a two-seat, high-wing, single-engine airplane. Naturally, the better the condition, the higher the price. I've peeked in Whee's 8E, it's a nice 2-place bird. In the UK, some of the 8A models have been converted to 8F specification by the installation of wing fuel tanks and a Continental C90-12F engine. 0.0 You can expect to pay top dollar for a museum-quality restoration, or you can find a scruffy specimen for the price of an entry-level economy car. 119:105. SkyTough.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Other Luscombe models meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft, including the 8, 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D. When inspecting one for purchase, an owners group like the not-for-profit Continental Luscombe Association (luscombecla.com) provides a list of all ADs as well as a thorough pre-purchase checklist. Whats Going On with Cessna Denali Turboprop. Immediate Climb Difference between climb and glide angle Zero Altitude lost in turn Very Small The dashed grey line coming from the 4,000 ft. runway distance is set at the glide angle of the plane. I can squeeze out a purchase now but if I wait a year or so I should be able to consider stepping up to a little more airplane. In cruise the 8E or F will scoot along at a little better than 100 mph on about 5.5 gph. 1940 LUSCOMBE 8A Piston Single Aircraft Price:USD $52,702(Price entered as: EUR 50.000) Payments as low as USD $491.65 / monthly* Aircraft Location:Locarno, Ticino, Switzerland Serial Number:1230 Registration #:HB-DWF Total Time:2,578 Engine Notes:overhauled in 1999 by Heliservice AG No oil burn. Plans for Phantom Model Available 78/06. blancolirio 56K views 1 year ago Tailwheel landing. With that said, much like with any used aircraft, you want to carefully consider the Luscombe 8A that you buy. Please send us your experiences on your aircraft. Brian Nicholas | Popham. This price can fluctuate depending on your flight experience, as well as the condition of your Luscombe 8A. [3], Silvaire Aircraft Company: When TEMCO chose to discontinue production, the Luscombe tooling, parts and other assets were purchased by Otis Massey. -. Piper J-4 thru PA-22 and PA-25. . Initial climb rate 900. Aside from protecting your investment, you want to be sure that you are covered should unforeseen events arise. Every one I've ever flown has seemed cramped and uncomfortable to me. Model Year: 1946. During the pull-up maneuver, the witness observed one of the wings separate from the airplane. 2023 Madavor Media, LLC. Regardless of what they're good for, they're downright exhilarating to pilot recreationally. Friend had a Texas Taildragger conversion on a swept tail C152. Stereo microscope examination of the bolt remnant after it was removed from the through-hole of the lug revealed crown damage consistent with the threaded end of the bolt bending within the lug through-hole The bolt remnant measured approximately 0.2 inch long and contained the manufactured threaded end of the bolt. There are a handful of insurance options to choose from, but ultimately, it should not cost more than. The aircraft has a cruise speed of 78 knots and a stall speed of 37 knots. Fuel cost per hour: Fairly large quantities of fuel in the fuselage tend to give most pilots the heebie-jeebies, so the wing tanks are an improvement, despite the substantial concern Luscombe showed in 1937 for crashworthiness in designing and protecting the original fuselage tank. I've had a 172 before and miss her dearly. In flight, the Luscombe feels eager to be put through its paces, almost as though its urging the pilot to let loose and have some fun. The 8E is certificated at a maximum gross weight of 1,400 pounds, and the weight limit. (4.8 gallons/hr @ $5.40/gal), Misc: landing, parking, supplies,catering, etc, Typical Price: $31,676.00 The attach fittings and maintenance records were subsequently released to Mr. Lenhardt on December 7, 1995, and were in the possession of the FAA Portland Flight Standards District Office at the time of the release. The bottom line is that if you take care of your Luscombe 8A and fly responsibly, there is not much more risk in operating one of these planes than any other well-recognized monoplane from this era. Luscombe filter applied; see all. 0.9 About 1,100 model 8s were produced before the outbreak of World War II when Luscombe suspended production to fulfill wartime contracts. Yes, sadly, it has already crashed. The "G-meter" read a negative 1/2 g. The altimeter read 350 feet and was set to 30.13 inches of mercury. I flew a 65 hp 8A for a couple years. For pilots who fit comfortably, however, the cabin is perfectly adequate, and has visibility on par with most other small, two-place, high-wing types. It managed to sell about 80 8Fs before collapsing in 1960. Bulky footwear and boots are to be avoided in the interest of dexterity. Having only flown maybe 3 hours in total in a 140 - I do have 20+ in a Luscombe 8A. This airplane is certificated in the normal category. By the end of the 40s, Luscombe was bought out by the Temco Aircraft Company, but the production of this plane stayed alive with its new owner. This was a groundbreaking achievement in the 1940s, as virtually every aircraft ever produced up to this point had wood in its design. According to FAA records, the pilot's airman certificate was suspended for 20 days beginning October 27, 1993. We'll explore the ins and outs of the sky and how to travel through it. This was our Luscombe 8F (Second to Last Luscombe Built). Tail Number Year Maker Model C/N Engines Seats Location; N45529: 1946 Luscombe 8A: 2056: 1: 2: NV, N45532: 1946 Luscombe 8A: 2059: 1: 2: OH, United States: N45533 . Factory-new Luscombe 8s are presently in production by the Luscombe Aircraft Corporation in Jamestown, New York. More than 20,000 Cubs have been built. [2] When it comes to simple, economical, and fun stick-and-rudder flying, one of the best-known examples is the Piper Cub. Control cables for the left wing were stretched and separated. Video of the takeoff showed a normal takeoff near the midpoint of the runway followed by a level-off about 30 ft above the ground. It will challenge you to refine your stickand-rudder flying skills, and will make you feel like a superstar when you rise to the challenge. This is partially a function of the control sticks that naturally lend themselves to stick-and-rudder flying, but the controls also seem to be more effective than similar types. Absolute dream to fly. Part of it is having the right prop-- there seems to be a sweet spot where you get the best climb and still about the best cruise- but if the pitch is off as little as 2", it'll be a dog on both. Slowing to speeds just above the stall demonstrates that the controls, particularly the rudder, remain effective. Private ( G-NIGE) | Luscombe 8E Silvaire Deluxe. Statistically, every Luscombe still flying has had a ground loop, nose over or gear collapse. Empty wt. A long cross-country flight in 8E 141/15. Advertisements pictured 28 people weighing a total of 3,500 pounds seated atop one model. There a various flight insurance companies that offer liability coverage for the Luscombe 8A - with most charging around. L8A LUSCOMBE 8A OWNERS MANUAL $6.35. The final models of the 8F were produced by Silvaire Aircraft Co. between 1946 and 1960 when their production was discontinued permanently. Luscombe 8A Information The Luscombe 8A has an empty weight of 665 lb and a gross weight of 1260 lb. Right now, I think a C120/140 and a Luscombe are a the top of my list. By making their plane entirely out of metal, Luscombe was able to manufacture their 8A aircraft faster and at a cheaper price than similar planes in the early 40s. With a single fuel tank mounted in the upper fuselage behind the pilots, spartan interiors, no flaps, and no electrical system, only the bare essentials were included in the purchase price. Stinson 108 Series. 100 mph cruise, heavy ailerons, light rudder and elevator, Landing gear won't take any side loading. Serial #: 3195. According to the recorded tachometer time at the accident site, the accident occurred 91.12 flight hours after the rebuild work in 1993, and 6.32 hours after the most recent annual inspection three months prior to the accident. Private ( G-BRSW) | Luscombe 8E Silvaire Deluxe. Continental A-65-8F, McCauley 1-B-90 prop, new interior, hanger kept. (Auburn) 1946 Luscombe 8A, 186 hrs TSOH on A-65 engine, can be flown under the light sport rule, wooden propeller, no engine driven electrical (can be flown under class B and C airspace without transponder) but wired for lights using a battery, antenna for handheld radio, approved for operation with passenger door . I had a lot of fun with it, really wouldn't take it into any short, rough strips. Ceiling 15,000. This listing was posted on Dec 19, 2022. The Silvair monoplanes that were made in the late 40s had virtually identical specs to the original 8 series - with some modernized improvements here and there. If you are evaluating Luscombe 8A planes in the $15,000 range, its safe to say that you can expect the condition to be mediocre at best. Mysteries Of Flight: The Curious Case Of Pan Am Flight 914, Fond Farewell to a Titan: The Antonov An-225. In cruise the 8E or F will scoot along at a little better than 100 mph on about 5.5 gph. 1946 Luscombe 8A. Six aircraft were built in 1957 (serial numbers S-2 through S7). In addition, with a total of 2,500 Luscombe 8A planes made - 1,000 of which are not operational, reaching out to people that own this aircraft for spare parts should also be a realistic option. As noted, all pre-war Luscombes were built with fabric-covered wings. For a prospective new owner, this is an airplane that will welcome you to the sky but will never allow you to become bored. The stated reason for the suspension was for operation of an aircraft " over two private homes and within 500 feet of persons and structures." on March 20, 1993. The witness stated that the pilot " was going to do a loop," because he saw the airplane begin a dive and then pull up. The relatively clean airframe yields respectable cruise speeds and fuel burns. Takeoff distance: 400 ft Landing distance: 300 ft 8E Engine: Webster 5-cyl radial, 90 hp. These are the specs of the Luscombe 8A: Later models of the Luscombe 8 series had similar specs as the 8A, but more powerful engines were eventually installed - upgrading the Continental A-65hp to a 75hp. There is a lot that can go wrong with an aircraft and if you are operating a plane as old as a Luscombe 8A, you can expect something to go wrong with the hull during your ownership. - Aircraft specific reviews and articles. One witness stated that the pilot, the pilot's wife, the pilot's daughter, and the daughter's acquaintance, had just landed at the Lenhardt Airpark in Hubbard in a Cessna 182 after returning from dinner. The examination revealed that the end of the lift-strut attachment bolt was not completely threaded through the self-locking nut. ), Please tell us: Sub-Model T8F has tandem seating but is generally similar in dimension, Sprayer version approved for Restricted category operations can have higher Gross Weight with operational limits. The 8B was originally built with a unique 65 hp Lycoming. Box 63581 . Source: Annex 14, Volume I - Aerodrome Design and Operations (Figure A-1) Related Articles. . Reg: N71768 photos. For instance there is a Luscombe factory letter that describes the steps required to convert an 8A to an 8D-- which will allow a gross weight of 1310 lbs. Buying a plane is a major investment and if you look at the prices of aircraft on the market, the cost of buying one can quickly go into the hundreds of thousands. The type certificate and tooling were acquired by Moody Larsen of Belleville, Michigan, in 1964. That said, they are snug by todays standards. The simplistic controls, lack of complex avionics, and monoplane design make flying straightforward and fun. The Luscombe 8 is a series of high wing, side-by-side seating, monoplanes with conventional landing gear, designed in 1937 and built by Luscombe Aircraft. If you think otherwise, you are new at this sport. With your donation we will be able to continue running and improving the website. Once in the air the pilot discovers that the Silvaire has crisper handling than its tube-and-fabric brethren. Landing distance (50) 1,540. Yes, a turbine has been hung on a Luscombe. By mid-1946, all came from the factory with metal wings. Fuel capacity 14. About three inches of the blade tip was twisted forward. The aircraft is a two-place, high-wing, single-engine airplane, equipped with conventional landing gear. Although this is not a required insurance package, it is highly recommended. For those pilots taller than about five feet, 10 inches, boarding the Silvaire is challenging. There is no set-in-stone figure for how much you will have to pay over the years during your ownership of a Luscombe 8A. Different lord mounts may be required. - Send us pictures of your plane. The tail comes up of its own volition, or earlier if motivated by the pilot. Luscombe 8A Maintenance Costs ($1,000 to $3,000+ Per Year), There is no set-in-stone figure for how much you will have to pay over the years during your ownership of a Luscombe 8A. $120.00. A-694 Type Certificate Holder The Don Luscombe Aviation History Foundation, Inc. P.O. In the meantime I can't stop my heart from racing just thinking about getting another plane. This Luscombe has been in one family for . Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Luscombe was acquired by Temco Aircraft Corp. in 1948, but only some 50 Silvaires were manufactured before the line was suspended for a second time due to military commitments. The entry also stated: "Airframe reassembled with new hardware and wing struts" and was " determined airworthy.". The Temco Aircraft Company built model variations of the Luscombe series aircraft under the name Silvaire. Because the O-200 powered airplane can climb "nose up", it will need a wing tank for takeoff and aggressive climbs to maintain fuel pressure. of the 50 lbs. When new pilots and aircraft owners buy their first plane, they are often shocked by the variable costs that come with operating their aircraft. By 1960 over 5,800 aircraft has been produced by Luscombe Aircraft Corporation and subsequent companies. However, metal flow and gouge marks were noted [in this area]. Tach:1113.65 ,Total Time:3146.15. Takeoff distance (50) 1,950. See every aircraft on the Internet from one location. Taxiing one in a stiff crosswind is work. The 8E, 8F, and T8F all came with electrical systems and engines ranging from 85 to 90 hp. This site also participates in other affiliate programs including but not limited to ShareASale, CJ, and ClickBank, and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. No evidence of preimpact mechanical deficiencies was found. 44 The Luscombe 8 is a series of high-wing, side-by-side-seating monoplanes with conventional landing gear, designed in 1937 and built by Luscombe Aircraft . Read more about us, here. Variations of the Luscombe aircraft were produced for decades - with one of the latest models of this plane introduced as late as 2007. Maneuvering is precise. Naturally, the better the condition, the higher the price. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 for a Luscombe 8A. Total Cost of Ownership: $12,302.09 Single engine piston aircraft with fixed landing gear. Luscombe Aircraft 8A - Performance Data. Copyright 2023 Backcountry Pilot. A pilot accustomed to flying a J3 Cub or Cessna 140, for example, might initially be chasing the ball while trying to keep his or her turns coordinated. Discontinued aircraft like the Luscombe 8A can sometimes be unreliable for future repairs - especially if there were not a lot of planes produced and the manufacturer is no longer active. . That airplane was in Oshkosh last year and attracted a lot of attention, so there is hope that the proud heritage is not over. Here my father and I are taking it around the pattern. The Luscombe 8A aircraft is a high-wing monoplane released in 1940 and it is part of Luscombes 8 series. Today. Horsepower: 65: Gross Weight: 1260 lbs: . 337 Fuelburn: 4.4 GPH Many models incorporate overhead skylights, which help to make the compact cabin feel more open and bright. Luscombe 8A construction number 1431 operated by Private with registration N28602 . Made me realize just how sloppy and lazy a 172 can make you over the years. The mere fact that the Luscombe 8As average resale value is between $15,000 and $25,000 makes it one of the most financially attainable planes on the market. He left Mono Aircraft, maker of the speedy Monocoupes, to set up his own company in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1933. Examination of the fractured end of [the bolt] and remaining fractures revealed no preexisting cracks. John grew up in Luscombes, holds an A&P certificate, and has acquired the breadth of knowledge held by his father. About that time the sound produced by the engine reduced in what appeared to be an attempt to land on the remaining runway. Similar small, two seat, inexpensive to operate. Today, nearly 900 8As remain on the U.S. register. The Luscombe 8A is a fairly easy monoplane to fly. Side-by-side two-seaters, the postwar models used a Continental 90- hp engine and were claimed to be acrobatic. Overall, the airplane is most pleasant to fly and travels cross-country efficiently. When equipped with the lower-powered engines, the Luscombe provides rather leisurely takeoff performance. Learn all about planes and pilots, and even how to fly, with SkyTough. This plane has been around for a long time and just because there are still quite a bit of Luscombe 8 series models in circulation that does not mean that every aircraft is going to be worthy of your money. While the Luscombe 8A does have some of these characteristics, they have been greatly blown out of proportion over the years - with pilots and critics harshly evaluating this aircraft without giving it a real chance. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50,000 to $75,000+ for a restored Luscombe 8A. Companies like Univair stock most airframe parts. Two of the most important elements of a good ownership experience are parts availability and a vibrant community of owners. Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 15_5 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) GSA/219.0.457350353 Mobile/15E148 Safari/604.1, Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. All are LSA-compliant and are equipped with the 100 hp Continental O-200. I was in the same position back in 70's. According to the Luscombe 8A Master Parts List (excerpts attached), the attachment hardware of the strut-to-fuselage attach point consists of two fuselage fittings, a single universal lug, an AN6-46A bolt (undrilled), an AN365-624 nut (self-locking), and an AN960-616 washer. Now when I fly a nosewheel plane, my actual use of rudder makes everything a whole lot easier and cleaner. The entire left wing, including the attached lift strut and fuselage attach lug, was found 0.25 nautical miles from the remainder of the wreckage.