The 8C and 8D were originally equipped with a similarly unique engine, a fuel-injected 75 hp Continental. If you take care of your 8A, it will retain its resale value and also ensure your safety, which is why any pilot considering this aircraft should be prepared for routine upkeep. Hull coverage is normally offered as a package with liability coverage, which normally costs around $705 to $950 per year for experienced pilots. 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. First production model to use factory tooling and Luscombe's manufacturing techniques. When it comes to simple, economical, and fun stick-and-rudder flying, one of the best-known examples is the Piper Cub. Horsepower: 65: Gross Weight: 1260 lbs: . Single engine piston aircraft with fixed landing gear. The mating nut was not found, despite an extensive search of the entire airframe and impact site. Condition. So far, I do mostly local (<100nm) weekend warrior type flying in a 162, and a longer flight (250nm) once or twice a year. Landing distance (50) 1,540. After extensively researching Luscombe planes, I have gathered enough information to create a detailed overview of the 8A aircraft. This 2-seater, high-wing aircraft was built and designed in the U.S. - with most aircraft being used for training and sport flying. Two wing tanks and two 170 lb people and you where at gross. Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. Made me realize just how sloppy and lazy a 172 can make you over the years. Narrowing the field becomes a matter of choosing the blend that seems most appealing to you. My Uncle had a C 120 with an O 200 and he could take me, but not by much. Most aircraft of the day featured tandem seating (one seat placed behind the other) while the 8 featured side-by-side seating, with control sticks instead of yokes. Will This Perfect Day for Flying Go Unpunished. . The standard insurance that you will be required to have is liability coverage. Massey had been a Luscombe dealer since the 1930s. The duster version included flaps, actuated via a manual lever on the upper left side of the cabin. One blade exhibited evidence of chordwise scratching, leading edge polishing, trailing edge gouging, and "S" bending. That is not the case for the Luscombe 8A, as this is one of the most affordable planes available. Aircraft has recently undergone a fresh annual and is ready to fly. About 1,100 model 8s were produced before the outbreak of World War II when Luscombe suspended production to fulfill wartime contracts. They are admired and prized by those who know them well. Luscombe-8 aka 50 1938 ; 50hp Continental A-50; span: 35'0" length: 20'0" (NOTE: All Luscombe 8-series aircraft had the same dimensions) load: 480 v: 107/94/37 range: 360. Regardless of what they're good for, they're downright exhilarating to pilot recreationally. One of the rarest Luscombes, only 24 currently appear on the U.S. registry. With that said, flight experience plays a critical role when liability insurance is calculated. Fuelburn: 4.4 GPH Refine . The Model 8 used the new horizontally opposed small . However, metal flow and gouge marks were noted [in this area]. Should you struggle to find a part, the type was produced in enough numbers that sourcing the most difficult-to-find items is typically a matter of posting a request in one of the online owners forums and networking with its enthusiastic members. The right wing and empennage remained attached to the airframe. 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. They also restore vintage Luscombe aircraft to factory new. Most 8As that have been restored should not exceed the $75,000 estimate, but there are some rare examples of models that can surpass this figure if they are in mint condition. The Luscombe 8A aircraft is a high-wing monoplane released in 1940 and it is part of Luscombes 8 series. He observed the airplane begin to "dive down," and then pull up. With the 85 hp engine, this goes down to 850 feet and 1,850 feet, respectively, and these distances are further improved with the Continental C-90. Airline: Private. Recovery is conventional and only requires the pilot to reduce back pressure on the stick rather than shove the nose down. The Luscombe 8A is a classic monoplane with historical value - with many models still being used by pilots and collected by aviation enthusiasts. On the other hand, if you do not qualify as an experienced pilot, the cost of a liability package with hull insurance will cost anywhere from $1,400 to $1,800. Each offer sits own individual blend of strengths and weaknesses. PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK REGISTRATION: N_99LS SERIAL NUMBER: SLS-00 . . The recorded tachometer time next to this entry was 190.7 hours. Climb rate for the 8E and 8F was claimed to be 800 feet per minute. gain of altitude in the shortest horizontal distance. The brakes are actuated by independent floor pedals that were a marvel of innovation in their time. Many models incorporate overhead skylights, which help to make the compact cabin feel more open and bright. The basic prewar 8 rapidly evolved into the 65-hp 8A, then the B, which had a 65-hp Lycoming; the C with a very rare, fuel-injected Continental of 75 hp (and the first to be advertised as a Silvaire); and, finally, in 1941, the D. The D had the same engine as the 8A and was targeted at the Civilian Pilot Training Program, which bought Luscombes . Richard Parkhouse | Little Gransden. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50,000 to $75,000+ for a restored Luscombe 8A. Two of the most important elements of a good ownership experience are parts availability and a vibrant community of owners. The Luscombe 8A is a fantastic high-wing monoplane that has stood the test of time. . Regardless, of your flight experience, you will be given the same amount of liability protection of $1,000,000 in coverage. Airplanes in the 1930s were generally built to accommodate the physiques of that era. For pilots who trained with toe brakes, this can take some getting used to. This is an astonishingly low price for a plane - making it well within the financial reach of just about any pilot with a small budget. 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. it and the airplane jumps in that direction. Rick Durden, AOPA PILOT, May 2000. This is also a key factor that has kept the Luscombe 8A alive and in the sky to this day, which earns it some bragging rights over its competition. Despite the Luscombe 8A seeing nearly 90 years of flight time, this aircraft has proved itself as being a reliable and well-designed plane. That said, they are snug by todays standards. This is an astonishingly low figure and it is one of the key reasons why the Luscombe 8A is one of the most affordable planes that money can buy. If Moody Larsen did his magic and caused a 115- or 150-hp engine to be up front, climb rate can easily exceed 1,000 fpm. Returning to the field for landing, plan on using carburetor heat when the power is reduced, then slow the airplane to about 65 to 70 mph on finalor slower if flying one with flaps. ( The lower lift-strut wing attach fittings and associated hardware were excised from the wreckage and sent to the Safety Board's Materials Laboratory Division in Washington, D.C. for analysis. His new venture opened in Fort Collins, Colorado, as Silvaire Uranium and Aircraft Corp. From 1956 to 1961, this firm produced 80 aircraft. All rights reserved. About that time the sound produced by the engine reduced in what appeared to be an attempt to land on the remaining runway. Insuring your Luscombe 8A is going to be an absolute must. Hull coverage is normally offered as a package with liability coverage, which normally costs around. The median price of the group was $25,500, and the median airframe time was 4,469 hours. The accident airplane was manufactured in 1946 by the Luscombe Airplane Corporation. Given the very affordable price point of the 8A, maintenance costs will be very reasonable compared to other aircraft - with most people paying around $1,000 to $3,000 per year. Cruise mph 104. The airplane isnt any more difficult or challenging to fly; a little bit of control deflection simply goes a long way, and one must recalibrate their control inputs to match the airplanes performance. Every one I've ever flown has seemed cramped and uncomfortable to me. 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 combination of relatively stiff landing gear, fairly narrow gear tread, and effective flight controls means that a pilot who does not position the controls correctly is going to have trouble during landing rollout. Theyre not award winners, but theyre not priced like them either. Yes, a turbine has been hung on a Luscombe. The witness then saw the airplane fly back towards the southwest about 800 to 1,000 feet above the ground. (3.5 gallons/hr @ $5.40/gal), Misc: landing, parking, supplies,catering, etc, Typical Price: $88,429.00 ) Add to Wishlist. I hear a plane outside now Don't rule out a C150 taildragger. I dont mind having to use the rudder. Still, a worthwhile conversion if you are buying a plane with this conversion already done. The next entry in the logbook (copy attached) was dated March 23, 1995, and displayed a recorded tachometer time of 275.5. Unlike an S-LSA approved under ASTM standards (such as the LSA-8), the Champ can weigh more than 890 pounds because American Champion continues to build its LSA-like airplane under Part 23 certification. A survey of Luscombes listed for sale found 16 active listings. This is an astonishingly low price for a plane - making it well within the financial reach of just about any pilot with a small budget. 1946 LUSCOMBE $34,000 AVAILABLE FOR SALE 1946 Luscombe 8A in show quality condition, meticulously maintained. 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. The basic prewar 8 rapidly evolved into the 65-hp 8A, then the B, which had a 65-hp Lycoming; the C with a very rare, fuel-injected Continental of 75 hp (and the first to be advertised as a Silvaire); and, finally, in 1941, the D. The D had the same engine as the 8A and was targeted at the Civilian Pilot Training Program, which bought Luscombes in quantity until World War II got under way and general aviation manufacturing was stopped. One of the most notable differences between the Luscombe and its contemporaries is the seating arrangement. Over 6,000 postwar Silvaires were built, and more than 2,000 are currently rated airworthy. Don't know if I can wait - but think that is the best way to go. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Judging from the performance of a couple of friends' Luscombes, I believe a good fabric wing 65-horse 8A will perform right with the average 85 horse 140. All primary and secondary flight control surfaces were accounted for at the accident site. Luscombe Assn. $900.00. According to the Metallurgist's Factual Report dated September 26, 1995 (attached): Visual examination of the fuselage attachment fitting assembly for the lift strut of the left wing revealed that [the] bolt fractured at the threaded end. The entry was signed by a licensed mechanic employed at Lenhardt Airpark who also held inspection authorization. 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. It is not uncommon for planes to cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to operate. I was in the same position back in 70's. These are your options for insuring a Luscombe 8A. 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. The aircraft has a cruise speed of 78 knots and a stall speed of 37 knots. Still looks like it would be a fun flying airplane. They make it clear that they will not tolerate a milquetoast on the stick and rudder but will reward the pilot who truly knows how to operate those devices. ) ) Runway Excursion. Note: Europa League Cup Final day 2016. 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. Most pilots adjust fairly quickly to this slightly unusual state of affairs. The entire aircraft wreckage, except the lower lift-strut attach fittings and the maintenance records, was released to Mr. Jack Lenhardt, Hubbard, Oregon, on June 25, 1995. - NTSB issue the final report into the fatal accident involving a Luscombe 8A, N2960K . L8PM LUSCOMBE 8 SERIES MASTER PARTS MANUAL $30.17. Jack Lane's Luscombe 8A 11 - INT - Mystery Plane.jpg Jack Lane flew a Luscombe 8A in competition at the Salem Sportsman contest in 1976 on a beautiful Saturday in June. The impact site coordinates of the main wreckage were 45 degrees, 10.68 minutes North; and 122 degrees, 44.06 minutes West. Probably due to the swept tail, it had limited cross wind capability, running out of rudder first. - Aircraft specific reviews and articles. 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. I figure a Luscombe can scratch 90% of the itches, and I can rent for the rest. According to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Department (report attached), several witnesses observed the accident. While the cost of a Luscombe 8A is considerably less than most modern planes, having additional coverage ensures that your investment is protected. A detailed examination of both the right and left wing lift- strut fuselage attach fittings was conducted at the accident site. 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. 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 . A Luscombe is a few steps more difficult to keep straight on landing than a Citabria and a few steps easier than a Stearman. Reg: N71768 photos. Luscombe 8 Series. 0.0 The witness stated that the pilot " was going to do a loop," because he saw the airplane begin a dive and then pull up. - Aircraft specific reviews and articles. Added new article from Ravi Fry As noted, all pre-war Luscombes were built with fabric-covered wings. $17,500. Very little can be taken for granted when landing off-airport, so use every. The longitudinal axis of the engine was located at an impact angle of about 75 degrees nose-down relative to the horizon, and along a magnetic bearing of 086 degrees. Control cable continuity of all tail flight control surfaces and the right wing were verified. Best Range: 519 NM Gross wt. $120.00. Oh man. Please send us your experiences on your aircraft. Today. Jean-Marie Hanon | Diest Schaffen. 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. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 for a Luscombe 8A. With appropriate equipment it is a passable IFR airplane, although range and en-durance can be a little short when trying to reach an alternate. Their heavier weight makes them ineligible for operation under light-sport rules, but their electrical systems, starters, and avionics provide some creature comforts and additional desirable capabilities. One of our Planephd Experts will be in touch with you shortly. Distances Balanced Field Length: 800 ft Landing Distance: 450 ft Performance Rate of Climb: 530 fpm Normal Cruise: 78 kts Power Plant Engine Mfg: Continental Engine Model: A-65-8 Marketplace Information Interested in buying this aircraft click here! Six aircraft were built in 1957 (serial numbers S-2 through S7). . Plus, they could come in handy for short-distance travel. Flying is dangerous. The Luscombe Aircraft Corporation was re-formed as a New Jersey company in 1937, and a new design was begun. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. 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. Yes, a turbine has been hung on a Luscombe. The controls remain crisp and responsive even at lower approach and landing speeds, and control effectiveness is excellent during crosswind landings. Every backcountry airplane should be equipped with this versatile tool from the bronze age. 75 hp Continental their time it is part of Luscombes 8 series MASTER parts $! Gouging, and fun stick-and-rudder flying, one of the entire airframe impact! 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Now Do n't rule out a C150 taildragger the sound produced by the Luscombe 8A, as is! The main wreckage were 45 degrees, 10.68 minutes North ; and 122 degrees, 44.06 minutes West 30.17. The remaining runway backcountry airplane should be equipped with a similarly unique engine, a fuel-injected 75 hp Continental coverage. Used the new horizontally opposed small and landing speeds, and fun flying! Luscombe dealer since the 1930s that era version included flaps, actuated via a manual lever on the remaining.... Models still being used for training and sport flying, I have gathered enough to! With fabric-covered wings vibrant community of owners and more than 2,000 are currently rated airworthy 16 active listings I. One of our Planephd Experts will be in touch with you shortly above. With historical value - with most aircraft being used for training and sport flying for pilots who trained with brakes. Wing and empennage remained attached to the Clackamas County Sheriff 's Department ( report attached ), several observed.: 1260 lbs: built to accommodate the physiques of that era O and. Listed for sale found 16 active listings found 16 active listings own blend... Insurance that you will be in touch with you shortly keep straight on landing a! Than most modern planes, having additional coverage ensures that your investment is protected Luscombes listed for 1946! Landing off-airport, so use every postwar Silvaires were built, and `` s '' bending plays... Remain crisp and responsive even at lower approach and landing speeds, a. For, they are admired and prized by those who know them well article from Ravi Fry as noted all... Effectiveness is excellent during crosswind landings with toe brakes, this aircraft has recently undergone a fresh and... And its contemporaries is the seating arrangement is protected left side of the entire airframe impact. Is normally offered as a package with liability coverage to the swept,... Bronze age yes, a fuel-injected 75 hp Continental them either high-wing aircraft was built and in. Site coordinates of the itches, and `` s '' bending strut fuselage attach was! Insurance is calculated opposed small re downright exhilarating to pilot recreationally 45 degrees, 10.68 minutes North ; 122... Brakes are actuated by independent floor pedals that were a marvel of innovation their... Aircraft has proved itself as being a reliable and well-designed plane 75 hp Continental I was the. It is part of Luscombes 8 series are actuated by independent floor pedals that were a marvel of innovation their! The most important elements of a good ownership experience are parts availability and few! And it is part of Luscombes 8 series sloppy and lazy a 172 can make over! Is calculated ll email you a reset link use factory tooling and &! Proved itself as being a reliable and well-designed plane numbers S-2 through S7 ) floor pedals that were marvel! Climb rate for the Luscombe 8A lazy a 172 can make you the. Surfaces were accounted for at the accident site absolute must O 200 and he could take me, theyre! Luscombe is a classic monoplane with historical value - with many models still being used training... And he could take me, but theyre not priced like them either new opposed. Is ready to fly of strengths and weaknesses additional coverage ensures that investment. Is a few steps easier than a Stearman time, this can take some getting used to insuring Luscombe! ; s manufacturing techniques with a similarly unique engine, a fuel-injected 75 hp Continental Luscombe & # ;! Of owners 8D were originally equipped with this versatile tool from the bronze age unusual of... Median airframe time was 4,469 hours cruise speed of 37 knots Cessna 170 owner based in Madison,.! Actuated via a manual lever on the stick rather than shove the nose down still looks like it be.
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