The 'T-Craft' Is One Of The True GA Icons That Built This Business

There is no such thing as a generic 'perfect' airplane... until you find one for yourself. And mind you, different airplanes can be perfect at different times... and for Mike Slingluff, riding herd on one of the best FBO's on the SouthEast, his 65HP Taylorcraft is often THE perfect airplane.

The 'T-Craft' is the brainchild of a legendary figure in GA... a fellow named Clarence Gilbert Taylor, reported to have been a self-taught aeronautical engineer from Nottingham, England -- and often called the father of private aviation in America -- starting with his work on the original Taylor Cub WAY BACK in 1931.

At one time a partner with none other than William T Piper himself, the usual difficulties arose when engineer Taylor ran into conflicts with businessman Piper... leaving them both to go their own ways. Taylor formed his own company in 1935 and eventually 'improved' on the Cub with a design that boasted a faster wing, side-by-side seating and better performance. 

And while the term 'better' may be a relative one, there is no question that the T-Craft is a solid performer... with regular cruise speeds of 110 mph recorded for a design that burns 3.5 GPH with only a 65HP four-cylinder Continental doing business up front.

With excellent manners in the air and docile performance on the ground, the T-Craft also boasts the ability to be flown, legally,m as an LSA under today's regs... a 'perfect' airplane, indeed.

FMI: www.taylorcraft.org, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews