Dream Aircraft Read online

  Dream Aircraft: The most fascinating airplanes I’ve ever flown

  by Barry Schiff

  Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.

  7005 132nd Place SE • Newcastle, WA 98059

  (425) 235-1500

  Email: [email protected]

  Internet: www.asa2fly.com

  © 2007 Barry Schiff

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. None of the material in this manual supersedes any operational documents or procedures issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, aircraft and avionics manufacturers, flight schools, or the operators of aircraft.

  Published 2007 by Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. Ebook edition published 2012.

  Most of the material in this book was first published in periodical format in AOPA Pilot.

  Photography by and © Mike Fizer, except where otherwise noted. (Page numbers reference printed book.) Photos from the author’s collection are found on pages vii, xi, 23, 37–43, 56, 59, 63, 65, 68, 76, 81, 83, 90, 93–94, 97, 127, 129, 132, 137, 138, 146, 148, 151, 193–199, 211, 215, 286, 289, 292, 297–301, 304–305. Other photography credits are as follows: p. ix © Jorge Moro–Fotolia.com; p. 27 courtesy Jawed Karim; pp. 49 and 52, courtesy Austin John Brown; p. 87 © Patick McCabe–Fotolia.com; pp. 101, 106 courtesy Ron Dupas at “1000aircraftphotos.com”; p. 109 courtesy Adrian Pingstone; pp. 153, 158 courtesy Beech Aircraft Co.; p. 269 courtesy Jim Thompson.

  Design by Dorian Kensok

  ASA-DREAM-EB

  ePub ISBN 978-1-61954-006-4

  Kindle ISBN 978-1-61954-007-1

  LC# 2007042709

  For my wife, Dorie,

  and our “son,” Boychik

  (a Havanese puppy).

  When I was a flight instructor working my way through college in 1956, a P-51 taxied onto our ramp. Its pilot was Vance Breese, the Mustang’s original test pilot. During a brief and fascinating conversation with him, I learned that he had flown more than 100 types of aircraft.

  Wow, I thought, that’s a lot of airplanes, and it prompted me to check my logbook to see how many different types I had flown. At the time, July 24, 1956, I had checked out in 18 types. The first, the airplane in which I learned to fly, was an Aeronca 7AC Champion, colloquially known as the “Champ” and the “Airknocker.” One hundred types seemed an impossible goal, but for reasons I could not immediately explain, I felt challenged and made it a point to fly as many different types of aircraft as opportunity would allow.

  I ultimately flew my 100th type on June 13, 1968. The aircraft was a Piper Comanche 600, a Comanche 400 whose 400-hp piston engine had been replaced with a Garrett turboprop engine. It is one of the aircraft described in this book. I flew my 200th type, a French Robin 2160 Sport, on November 10. 1983. And on December 18, 2005 I flew my 300th, a Lockheed 12A Electra Junior, another aircraft featured in this book.

  I am still an avid “collector” and my current goal is to fly 400 types, although I doubt if I have enough years left to do that. Even that, by the way, would not be a record. Royal Navy Captain Eric “Winkle” Brown apparently does hold the record for his reportedly having flown 487 different types of aircraft. (Brown commanded Enemy Aircraft Flight, an elite group of British pilots who test-flew captured World War II German aircraft. He personally flew 53 of them. On December 3, 1945 Brown made the first landing of a jet, a deHavilland Sea Vampire, on an aircraft carrier.)

  As the years rolled by and my list grew, I began to realize that I had flown some aircraft that I probably would not recognize even if I saw them clustered on a ramp. These include such scarce aircraft as the Lombardi FL-3, the Morelli M-100S, the Warwick Bantam, and the Scheibe Bergfalke III.

  Being somewhat obsessive-compulsive, I decided to put together an album containing a representative photo of each type that I had flown just to remind myself of what each of these aircraft look like. The drawing below is a copy of the cover that album.

  Some may wonder why I would want to fly such a large variety of aircraft. For me, every flight in a new airplane is an adventure, an opportunity to sample a designer’s talent and ingenuity of which some obviously have more than others. While we applaud some designs, such as the Siai-Marchetti SF.260 and the Lockheed U-2, one can only wonder what inspired the manufacturers of others to risk the embarrassment of bringing their creations to market. A few are so underpowered or fly so poorly that a prayer should be included on their before-takeoff checklists.

  Sampling a wide variety of aircraft provides an opportunity to compare handling qualities, performance, and systems. It helps me to know what is possible in an aircraft design and to distinguish between the good, the bad, and the ugly.

  Reflecting on my first flights in some aircraft returns memories of where I flew them. For example, I once recall renting a deHavilland Chipmunk in Bristol, England, and flying it over the white cliffs of Dover and low over the English Channel while imagining that my wing-mounted twin-50s were armed and at the ready. Ghostly images of the Normandy beaches emerged from the morning mist as the Chipmunk and I dashed to assist in freeing France from the grip of the Hun.

  The book you hold in your hand describes 33 of the wonderful aircraft I have been lucky enough to have flown. I also have added two chapters that describe two of the more memorable flights that I have made. I hope you enjoy the ride.

  Barry Schiff

  Los Angeles, California

  Chronological Sequence of Types Flown (305)

  (as of October 12, 2007)

  1. 11-07-53 Aeronca 7AC/DC Champion

  2. 04-03-54 Cessna 120, 140

  3. 04-10-55 Cessna 170

  4. 05-05-55 Cessna 180, 185

  5. 07-03-55 Beech 35 (through V-35B) Bonanza

  6. 07-11-55 Piper J-5 Cruiser

  7. 07-18-55 Stinson 108 Voyager/Station Wagon

  8. 07-22-55 Met-Co-Aire Tri-Cessna 170

  9. 07-26-55 Cessna 310

  10. 11-27-55 Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer

  11. 11-30-55 Luscombe 8E, F Silvaire

  12. 01-06-56 Ercoupe 415

  13. 02-18-56 Ryan STA

  14. 03-12-56 Culver LFA Cadet

  15. 06-26-56 Cessna 165 Airmaster

  16. 06-29-56 Mooney M-18 Mite

  17. 07-03-56 Aero Commander 600 Series

  18. 07-23-56 Globe/Temco GC-1B Swift

  19. 07-25-56 Fairchild 24

  20. 08-15-56 North American Navion

  21. 09-16-56 Riley D-16 Twin Navion

  22. 10-06-56 Beech 18 Twin Beech

  23. 10-21-56 Cessna 182 Skylane

  24. 11-11-56 Piper J-4 Cub Coupe

  25. 11-12-56 Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser

  26. 11-18-56 Aeronca 11AC Chief

  27. 01-07-57 Fairchild PT-26 Cornell

  28. 03-20-57 Ryan PT-22

  29. 05-30-57 Pratt-Reed PR-G-1

  30. 05-30-57 Cessna 172 Skyhawk

  31. 06-01-57 Piper PA-16 Clipper

  32. 06-14-57 Taylorcraft BC-12

  33. 07-27-57 Mooney Mark 20/21

  34. 08-24-57 Piper PA-18 Super Cub

  35. 10-20-57 Bellanca 14-19 Cruisemaster

  36. 12-28-57 Stinson SR-5 Reliant

  37. 01-11-58 Stits FA-3B Playboy

  38. 03-21-58 Piper PA-23 Apache

  39. 04-06-58
Waco UPF-7

  40. 06-29-58 Piper PA-24 Comanche

  41. 09-23-58 Cessna 175 Skylark

  42. 12-20-58 Piper J-3 Cub

  43. 12-26-58 Morrisey/Shinn 2150

  44. 12-26-58 North American AT-6, SN-J Texan

  45. 06-04-59 Cessna 150

  46. 07-01-59 Champion 7FC Tri-Traveler

  47. 09-26-59 Beechcraft Model 18 Super Twin Beech

  48. 10-15-59 Cessna T-50, UC-78 Bobcat, Bamboo Bomber

  49. 10-31-59 Luscombe 8E Floatplane

  50. 01-24-60 Cessna 210 Centurion

  51. 04-19-61 Beech 33 Debonair

  52. 06-25-61 Schweizer TG-3

  53. 08-12-61 Fairchild PT-23

  54. 09-07-61 Convair 240

  55. 11-21-61 Cessna 190, 195

  56. 01-31-62 Piper PA-23 Aztec

  57. 02-21-62 Beech 50 Twin Bonanza

  58. 06-23-62 Piper PA-28 140, 150, 160, 180 Cherokee

  59. 11-07-62 Cessna 205

  60. 12-28-62 Schweizer 2-22

  61. 01-17-63 Schweizer 1-26

  62. 05-24-63 Bell 47D, G1

  63. 06-29-63 Hughes 269A, 300

  64. 06-30-63 Hiller UH-12

  65. 07-13-63 Commonwealth Ranger 185

  66. 07-22-63 Meyers OTW

  67. 07-26-63 Beech 23 Musketeer

  68. 11-14-63 Schweizer 1-23

  69. 08-02-64 Lockheed 1049G Super Constellation

  70. 08-10-64 Lockheed 749, 749A Constellation

  71. 10-09-64 Piper Colt

  72. 12-21-64 Boeing 707-331 Intercontinental (pure jet)

  73. 01-07-65 Boeing 707-131 (pure jet, water wagon)

  74. 01-08-65 Boeing 707-131B (fan jet)

  75. 01-24-65 Boeing 707-331 Intercontinental series (fan jets)

  76. 02-20-65 Piper PA-28 Cherokee 235

  77. 06-13-65 Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche

  78. 08-28-65 Alon A-2 Ercoupe

  79. 10-30-65 Cessna 170 floatplane

  80. 04-30-66 Lake LA-4, Buccaneer

  81. 07-24-66 Aero Commander 500 series

  82. 01-31-67 Siai-Marchetti SF.260 (Waco Meteor)

  83. 02-04-67 Partenavia P-64 Oscar

  84. 04-28-67 Aero Commander 200

  85. 05-26-67 Roberston Cessna 182, 210 STOL

  86. 08-22-67 Bellanca 7EC Citabria

  87. 09-19-67 Helio Courier H-250 Mark II

  88. 10-19-67 Beech T-34 Mentor

  89. 12-03-67 Schweizer 2-33

  90. 12-29-67 Siai-Marchetti 220 Sirius

  91. 01-12-68 Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six

  92. 02-03-68 Wren 460 Beta STOL

  93. 02-11-68 Cessna 177 Cardinal

  94. 03-16-68 Boeing 727-100, 100QC

  95. 05-05-68 Reims F-172 Rocket

  96. 05-11-68 Scheibe Bergfalke III

  97. 05-17-68 Boeing 727-200

  98. 05-26-68 Hughes 500

  99. 05-31-68 Fornier RF-4D

  100. 06-13-68 Piper Comanche 600 (turboprop)

  101. 08-06-68 Cessna 206 Super Skylane

  102. 09-27-68 Aero Commander 100 Darter

  103. 11-08-68 Temco T-610 Super Pinto

  104. 12-02-68 Beech F33C Aerobatic Bonanza

  105. 12-24-68 Cessna 320 Skyknight

  106. 01-17-69 NASA 808 (PA-30) Test Vehicle

  107. 02-14-69 Sud Rallye MS-894A Minerva

  108. 02-26-69 Stinson L-5E Sentinel

  109. 03-08-69 Conroy STOLifter

  110. 05-05-69 Piper PA-28 Arrow

  111. 05-11-69 DeHavilland DHC-1 Chipmunk

  112. 07-26-69 Schweizer 2-32

  113. 08-29-69 Learjet 24

  114. 10-04-69 Cessna 150 Aerobat

  115. 01-24-70 Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander

  116. 02-08-70 Morovan-Otrokovice Zlin 526 Trener Master

  117. 03-28-70 Piper PA-39 Twin Comanche C/R

  118. 04-03-70 Mooney M-10 Cadet

  119. 04-28-70 Siai-Marchetti A.S. 202 Bravo

  120. 06-20-70 North American Rockwell 1121 Jet Commander

  121. 07-20-70 Bücker BU-133 Jungmeister

  122. 08-30-70 DeHavilland Gypsy Moth

  123. 01-24-71 Schweizer 1-34

  124. 01-26-71 American Jet Industries 402 TurboStar

  125. 04-12-71 McCulloch J-2 Gyroplane

  126. 10-15-71 Enstrom F-28A

  127. 11-02-71 American Yankee AA-1A Trainer

  128. 11-18-71 Champion 402 Lancer

  129. 01-20-72 Francis Lombardi FL-3

  130. 02-19-72 Bellanca 17-31A Super Viking

  131. 03-01-72 Cessna 337 Super Skymaster

  132. 03-05-72 Cessna 177 Cardinal RG

  133. 04-08-72 Bell 47H-1

  134. 05-01-72 Beech E-90 KingAir

  135. 06-11-72 Thurston TSC-1A1 Teal

  136. 06-11-72 Schempp-Hirth Cirrus

  137. 06-14-72 Lockheed L-1011 TriStar

  138. 06-22-72 Piper PA-18 Floatplane

  139. 06-24-72 Interstate S-1B2 Arctic Tern

  140. 08-06-72 Warwick Bantam

  141. 10-31-72 Sud Aviation Gardan Horizon GY-80

  142. 11-30-72 Israel Aircraft Industries 1123 Westwind

  143. 02-12-73 Cessna 150/150 with Owl STOL Conversion

  144. 03-04-73 Jodel D117

  145. 03-15-73 Beech 95 Travel Air

  146. 05-14-73 Citabria 7GCBC-S Floatplane

  147. 05-23-73 Grumman American AA-5 Traveler

  148. 09-01-73 Navion G-1 Rangemaster

  149. 10-20-73 Bellanca Champ 7ACA

  150. 02-05-74 Transavia Airtruk PL-12U

  151. 03-11-74 Cessna 414, 414A Chancellor

  152 06-12-74 Blanik L-13 Sailplane

  153 06-12-74 Cessna L-19 Birddog

  154. 07-12-74 Maule M-5 Lunar Rocket

  155 08-19-74 Piper Warrior, Archer, Dakota

  156. 10-28-74 Aerostar 601P

  157. 11-09-74 Beech 55 Baron

  158. 04-10-75 AES Ltd. Airtourer T3A

  159. 04-10-75 DeHavilland Tiger Moth

  160. 04-13-75 Beech B24R Sierra

  161. 04-21-75 N.Z. Aerospace CT/4 Airtrainer

  162. 04-21-75 N.Z. Aerospace FU-24-950 Fletcher

  163. 01-09-76 Beech 200 Super King Air

  164. 03-12-76 Israel Aircraft Industries 201 Arava

  165. 04-17-76 Messerschmitt BO-209 Monsun

  166. 05-27-76 Beech Model 76 Test Bed

  167. 06-17-76 Beech A-36, B-36TC Bonanza

  168. 11-19-76 Piper Lance

  169. 05-09-77 SAAB MFI-15 Safari

  170. 05-18-77 Piper Seneca II

  171. 05-18-77 Robertson Cessna 310 II w/ Fowler-flap conversion

  172. 05-18-77 Robertson Bonanza w/ full-span flap/spoiler (roll) conversion

  173. 09-25-77 Malmo Flygindustri MFI-9 Floatplane

  174. 03-24-78 Rockwell Commander 112, 114

  175. 05-09-78 Polish PZL-104 Wilga

  176. 05-22-78 Piper PA-38 Tomahawk

  177. 09-15-78 Sportavia RF-5B Sperber

  178. 10-14-78 Piper PA-44 Seminole

  179. 11-25-78 Polish PZL SZD-4 Ogar

  180. 02-15-79 Douglas DC-4 Carvair

  181. 04-09-79 Pitts S-2A

  182. 04-15-79 Scheibe-Flugzeugbau SF-25E Super Falke

  183. 09-28-79 Robertson Ce
ssna P210 w/ spoilerons

  184. 10-20-79 Funk Model C

  185. 02-25-80 Robertson Cessna 402C w/ Fowler flap conversion

  186. 02-27-80 Rutan Defiant

  187. 02-27-80 Rutan Long-EZ

  188. 03-12-80 Cessna 172RG Cutlass

  189. 04-07-80 Great Lakes 2T-1A-2

  190. 05-18-80 Morelli M-100S

  191. 06-26-80 Goodyear GZ-20 Blimp

  192. 12-14-80 Piper Pawnee Brave

  193. 07-06-81 Cessna 441 Conquest

  194. 07-11-81 Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II

  195. 11-12-81 Beech 77 Skipper

  196. 01-23-82 Partenavia P-68

  197. 07-08-82 Cessna T210 w/ Glide Path Control Spoilers/Speed Brakes

  198. 11-11-82 Boeing 747

  199. 01-13-83 Boeing 747SP

  200. 11-10-83 Robin 2160 Sport

  201. 02-08-84 Boeing 767-200

  202. 10-05-84 Cessna Citation I -501SP

  203 02-21-85 Aerospatiale TB-9 Tampico

  204. 03-01-85 Bücker C-104 Jungmann

  205. 08-20-85 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

  206. 09-14-85 Grob 109 Motorglider

  207. 09-11-86 Cessna 425 Corsair, Conquest I

  208. 09-29-86 Cessna 335, 340

  209. 02-28-87 Aerospatiale TB-20 Trinidad

  210. 04-09-87 Beech 80 Queenair

  211. 04-19-87 Piper J-3 Floatplane

  212. 06-18-87 Varga Kachina 2180 TG

  213. 06-20-87 Allison Propjet Bonanza

  214 08-18-87 Bushmaster 2000

  215. 08-25-87 Learjet 35A

  216. 04-02-88 Aerospatiale SA-314G Gazelle

  217. 05-11-88 Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon

  218. 05-16-88 Mooney M-20L PFM Porsche Flugmotor

  219. 07-04-88 Glassair I, SH-2R

  220. 07-23-88 Porterfield PF-65 Collegiate

  221. 09-10-88 Cessna 208 Caravan (amphibious floats)

  222. 09-14-88 Beech 76 Duchess

  223. 09-17-88 Cessna 140 Floatplane

  224. 09-24-88 Glassair III

  225. 01-31-89 Questaire Venture

  226. 06-24-89 Piper PA-46-310RT Malibu

  227. 10-08-89 Grob G-103A Twin II Acro

  228. 03-12-90 Rutan Model 143 Triumph

  229. 08-25-90 Grumman American GA-7 Cougar

  230. 10-11-90 Beech 2000 Starship I

  231. 10-30-90 LoPresti Swiftfury II