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Taylorcraft BC-65

Charles G. Taylor was an aircraft builder who was instrumental in establishing the light aircraft industry in the United States during the 1930s. He built simple, safe and inexpensive high-wing monoplanes that were a departure from the standard open-cockpit biplanes then available to private pilots.

Following bankruptcy, Taylor’s first company was purchased by W.T. “Bill” Piper. The Piper Cub evolved from Taylor’s earlier design, the Taylor Cub. By 1936, other firms such as Aeronca, Luscombe, Stinson and Cessna had also developed light, high-wing monoplanes. Ending his association with Bill Piper that year, Taylor formed the Taylorcraft Aviation Company and continued to design and manufacture successful light aircraft.

Taylor believed that a properly designed aircraft with side by side seating could perform as well as a narrow tandem-seated design. A series of Taylorcraft models followed, including the Model BC-65 that utilized the new Continental 65-hp engine.

Museum Example

Aimed at the private market, these affordable aircraft equipped many flying clubs. The Museum’s example, built in 1939 and first registered to Leavens Brothers Air Service in Toronto, was restored and flown by Mr. Harry Drover of Collingwood, Ontario. It was donated to the Museum in 1999.

Specifications

Wing Span:
11 m (36 ft)
Length:
6.7 m (22 ft)
Height:
2 m (6 ft 8 in)
Weight, Empty:
290 kg (640 lb)
Weight, Gross:
522 kg (1,150 lb)
Cruising Speed:
150 km/h (95 mph)
Max Speed:
170 km/h (105 mph)
Rate of Climb:
180 m (600 ft) /min
Service Ceiling:
4,570 m (15,000 ft)
Range:
400 km(250 mi)
Power Plant:
One Continental A-65, 65 hp, horizontally opposed