Aircorps Library and Beechcraft Engineeering Service Pubs

I am still amazed when I think of all the great Aeronautical Engineering that came out of the WWII era. Much of the outstanding engineering reports and technical specifications sat gathering dust for decades' only useful to those who were able to save them.  Thankfully, some people these days are using modern scanning technology and finally getting some ot this out on the internet to be shared. No one has done a better job at collecting and sharing such information than the Aircorps Library.

This blog post is going to sound like an advertisement for Aircorps Aviation, LLC.  I have no ties to them and Certified Aeronautical Products, LLC is not affiliated with Aircprps in any way.  I just want to share this with our followers and let you all know about them, in case you don't already.  Their website, along with Aircorps Library has become a wonderful support organization for Warbirds and other vintage airplanes.  They are truly helping to Keep the Antiques Flying from an Aeronautical Engineering standpoint.

This blog today is focusing on a series of documents I found among the many treasures on Aircorps Library.  The following are excerpted images from the Beechcraft factory publication, called Beechcraft Engineering Service.

These publications were provided during the time that the Beechcraft company was in the throws of manufacturing in support of the War effort, building the military UC43, AT-10 and other Beechcraft model 17 and 18 variants.  Apparently this short newsletter-type publication was issued on a bi-weekly schedule. Labeled "Restricted" with the following disclaimer,

the documents contain information that the Engineering Department considered valuable for maintenance of their aircraft.  The series ran for more than two years.

Even though I don't own a twin Beech or a Staggerwing, I really enjoy looking through the various issues.  Much of the content is specific to those models, but there is a lot of information that can be helpful to owners and restorers of other vintage airplanes.  They discuss everything from weight and balance to fuel consumption and endurance, to flying wire adjustments, and many many more...  All very good and helpful information by the Engineers who designed these wonderful planes. 

 

If you haven't already, go check out this wonderful website.   https://app.aircorpslibrary.com/

Now for my favorite part.  In each Beechcraft Engineering Service issue, the last page shows what they call "Gimmicks".  Usually they present some sort of gadget or tool that their workers came up with to help them do their jobs better.  Some of the coolest things are shown.  Here is one I thought would convey an example of these neat ideas.

You can view all of the documents on the Aircorps Library with a monthly subscription of just $6.00. I think that is a bargain.

 

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If you have a a cool Gimmick that you came up with for fabricating, maintaing, or restoring old airplanes, send it in and we will post it here for others to marvel.

 

 

 

 

CO-PILOT BRAKE PEDALS FOR TAYLORCRAFT B & F-SERIES

Certified Aeronautical Products, LLC has once again teamed up with St. John Manufacturing, LLC to offer a top quality product for your Taylorcraft B or F series airplane.

Clamp-on Co-Pilot Brake Kit

The CAP part # G02646-1 Co-Pilot Brake Kit is a direct copy of the factory clamp-on brake kit, Taylorcraft Aviation Corporation part # 02646-1.  We supply all of the hardware you'll need to upgrade your airplane with minimal labor.

Right Cable Pulley Bracket

Left Cable Pulley Bracket

We've responded to customer requests for this unique kit which has been out of production for years.  With co-pilot brakes, flight instructors can provide dual instruction with increased safety and control. This upgrade will enhance the value of your aircraft many times over the cost to install it.

Our kit is compatible with the original factory Shinn mechanical drum brake system.  It is also compatible with our popular kit for Grove wheels and brakes installed with the CAP installation of master cylinders in the landing gear. 

All parts are fabricated in accordance with FAA AC 43-18 Change 2 from aircraft grade materials. They are supplied as 14 CFR 21.9(a)(6) fabricated parts by maintenance personnel.

 

COMPLETE KIT PRICE 

$ 889.95 + tax (where applicable)

* * PRICE VALID THROUGH OCTOBER 30, 2022 * *

Includes Center Bracket, L and R Pulley Brackets, 2 new heel pedals, nicopress sleeves and 54+ inches of new galvanized 7X19 control cable.

Lead time: 4 - 6 weeks

TO ORDER

Email us your tail number and shipping address. barnstmr@aol.com

Or Call (254) 715-4773

ALSO AVAILABLE...

 

New: Dual Exhaust System SS Hotpipes

CAP is excited to announce that we have teamed up with St. John Manufacturing, LLC to introduce a new product ready to offer you for the Continental powered Taylorcraft and Luscombe 8 series. These parts have FAA approved design and are fabricated in accordance with 14 CFR 21.9(a)(5)(6) with airworthiness approval by certificated maintenance personnel.

 

 

It is a complete exhaust and heater muff system that is FAA approved for Taylorcraft L-2 and BC Series airplanes (STC) and can replace the original Luscombe 8-series Exhaust and Heater Muff System p/n 09607. We have named our system SS HOTPIPES! This system includes refinements over the original design, which result in...

•  perfectly fitting heat muffs with no air gaps for optimal efficiency
•  drastically improved heat rise in both carburetor air box and the cabin
•  simpler to manufacture and easy install
•  more durable shroud/muff design (by far) for minimal maintenance
• the highest grade construction with all 321 stainless steel materials 
• the right and most reasonable price

 

** TAYLORCRAFT IMPORTANT NOTE: **

Talk to us about the need to re-locate your Gascolator for this exhaust upgrade!

 

EXPERT FABRICATION: You will note that these superb parts have many modernized fabrication features of the highest quality.  Made possible only by the polished expertise of Keith St. John of St. John Manufacturing, LLC who has been repairing and building aircraft exhaust system components for more than 20 years in the general aviation marketplace.  

 

Our aim was to keep the same great split header design, but to solve the problematic heat shrouds/muffs that have aggravated Luscombe owners for decades. Those days are over. We also incorporated design details that come from modern exhaust systems to make the best and most practical Luscombe exhaust system available. 

 

 

 

And the main feature setting SS HOTPIPES apart from the rest are our special radiant heat air flow ribbons. We know that original systems barely met the carburetor heat rise requirement and most aged systems won't even meet it. SS HOTPIPES have demonstrated a substantial increase over the original design with plenty of warm air to spare. This is NOT the Hanlon-Wilson muffler design, which we love, but we have found them much more costly to make and only slightly better heat than SS HOTPIPES.  So, our decision to go this route was based on keeping things simple and offering the best performance value. We do have a prototype SS HOTPIPES version based on the Hanlon-Wilson design currently in testing, but that system will be much higher priced. 

 

Much has been invested in processes, equipment for welding, tube forming, and tooling. In fact, we are ready to supply new 321 stainless steel exhaust systems and 4130 engine mounts to your drawing spec for any piston-engine aircraft, starting NOW. We can also provide one-off custom weldment assemblies and numerous types of repairs, (So, send us your RFQ's.)

 

 

As for SS HOTPIPES, they are now FAA approved as optional on our Taylorcraft Engine Upgrade STC's # SA1-210 and SA02164LA. PMA application has been made by Airmotive Components, LLC under license agreement from CAP. As such, Certified Aeronautical Products, LLC (CAP) is the design approval holder. We expect PMA in the 1st quarter of 2022. But we are ready to supply parts for your Owner Produced Parts needs right away.

Our prices are very competitive as you can see below. Please take a look and let me know if we can support your needs.

 

Current Prices for “the other guy’s” 2 stacks and 2 muffs with attaching screws/tinnerman nuts

• Univair $ 2582 (SS stacks & aluminum muffs)
• Wag Aero $ 1545 (1010 mild steel & aluminum muffs. RH muff from Univair)
• Aircraft Spru $ 2429 (Same as Wag Aero and RH muff from Univair)

 

Our Prices Currently supplied as 14 CFR 21.9(a)6) fabricated part by maintenance personnel.  PMA application has been made by Airmotive Components, LLC under license agreement from CAP.

• $3120.00 per set of 2 stacks and 2 muffs with attaching screws & tinnerman clips- 4 -6 week lead time.  (updated July 2, 2024)
  
• Install kit $335 ea.  includes gaskets, brass nuts, SCAT hoses, clamps  4 -6 week lead time -

 

Call today (254) 715-4773

 

 

Also ask us about 

Engine Mount Repairs,

Aircraft Exhaust System Repairs, &

Custom Aircraft Welding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1320 MAXIMUM WEIGHT - Taylorcraft B-Series

NOW AVAILABLE

Taylorcraft B-series airplanes per STC # SA1-210 can now be eligible for 1320 pound maximum weight.  This is made possible through FAA DER-approved deviation paperwork.  A new FAA Form 337 will need to be executed to incorporate the approved paperwork as an STC deviation.

Carry higher payload and remain LSA Compliant 

1320 lb. Maximum Weight

Taylorcraft B-Series

Prerequisites are:

• Requires STC # SA1-210 with 85 HP or greater up to 100 HP
• Obtain DER approval, drawings G108 - G116, and alternate Instruction Sheet from CAP. 
• Make wing modifications per drawings G108 - G116.  This includes modified wing strut attach fittings (both wings at front and rear spar), and also replacement of wing spar bushings (larger size) at fuselage attach fitting (both wings at front spar only)
• Compatible with short or long engine mount
• No change to Bungee shocks - Use p/n 9010HD (1946 and later) or p/n 9090 (pre-1946) 
  

Eligibility Details:

• For those airplanes previously approved at 1100, 1150, or 1200 pounds the paperwork fee is $300.  This includes the wing modification drawings, alternate Instruction Sheet, and DER approval.
• For those airplanes previously approved at 1280 pounds, the paperwork fee is $150.  This includes alternate Instruction Sheet and DER approval.
• For those airplanes previously approved at 1500 pounds, this option is not available. 

Order today

• To order, send us an email at barnstmr@aol.com  
• Or - mail us a letter to 

Certified Aeronautical Products, LLC
2457 Texas Hwy 236
Moody, TX 76557

• Include the following in your request
• Aircraft model number
  
• Aircraft serial number
• Name and address of registered owner
• If STC # SA1-210 previously installed, a copy of the STC authorization letter

Payment

• We will send you a bill via PayPal
• You may pay online with a valid credit card by following the PayPal instructions
• Or - you may send us a personal check with your request letter
  

 

Lead time - we ask your patience as we are currently (Dec. 2021) back-logged with numerous STC and DER requests.   We normally try to turn around requests within 2 weeks.  However please be patient as we may take significantly longer until we are more caught up.  Thank you for your interest and for doing business with us.

 

Static Runup Power Check (Static RPM)

 Here's an old document that we created a few years back. Some of you might find this helpful when trying to determine STATIC RPM for various reasons.  We talk a lot here about fixed pitch propellers or ground adjustable propellers and comparing their STATIC RPM.  So this is the way we recommend doing those power checks.

CAP Taylorcraft Buyer's Guide for Summer 2020 is Here

March 2020 marks our TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY of being the care-taker of the Taylorcraft Engine Upgrade STC # SA1-210.  Better known as the "Gilberti STC", this set of documents have stood the test of time and are still useful as FAA approved data, now 52 years later (as of May 26th 2020).  While we are talking statistics, we went back and counted to find that Certified Aeronautical Products, LLC (CAP) has provided service in one way or another to almost 300 Taylorcrafts since we began business in 2003. Specifically, we have served 209 B-series, 75 D-series, and 10 F-series.  We've enjoyed every plane and getting to know every Taylorcraft owner, every Taylorcraft restorer, and every Taylorcraft pilot that we've met.

Click to View Buyers Guide

In honor of Mr. C.G. Taylor and Mr. Jack Gilberti, we are now issuing our Taylorcraft's Buyer's Guide for Summer 2020.  This guide contains most of what we have learned over the past 10+ years, about upgrading and maintaining Taylorcraft B-series airplanes.  As a few of these great airplanes have now reached the age of 80 years, many will be hitting that milestone over the next few years.  There's not a better time than now to clean up that lovely plane and make the effort to do some upgrades.  We are here to help you take good care of your sweet flying Taylorcraft, just like it has taken care of you for all these years.Just like the venerable Taylorcraft airplanes we support, the Gilberti STC and CAP are still here for continued flight for many more years into the future.

Another post that helps provide some explanation was provided back in 2018.  Click Here. Then after you review the buyers guide and the 2018 post, get your questions together and give us a call or email.

254-715-4773

barnstmr@aol.com

Thanks to all of our great friends and Taylorcraft customers!

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p.s. Stay tuned for some sweet new announcements in the next few weeks!.. 

[2023 UPDATE] BRAKE KITs ON TAYLORCRAFT B-SERIES

AS OF 1ST QUARTER 2023, WHEEL AND BRAKE KITS HAVE BECOME QUITE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN THROUGH GROVE AIRCRAFT LANDING GEAR SYSTEMS, INC.

SOME PARTS ARE EASIER THAN OTHERS TO OBTAIN.

Grove TSO Wheels and TSO Brake Assemblies remain available with sometimes very long lead times.  We are working on this for resolution.

Kit Parts -  Due to supply chain issues and other manufacturing availability issues, Grove wheel and brake conversion hardware has become unavailable.  We are working on this issue to secure other sources of brackets/spacers/sleeves and hardware parts.  Call us today to order yours.

Grove Wheel & Brake Complete Kit: 

Limited Stock - Call for pricing.

Reference: 2021 Prices

• Grove components:                            $ 4,755.66
• Hardware/Brackets/Fittings:               $   313.62
• Hoses:                                                  $   376.96
• Drawings & Approval Paperwork:      $   650.00