Here are  excerpts from recent issues of the Fairchild Flyer

CLUB MEMBERS
We receive comments from members on their renewal forms. We will share those with you.

JOHN L  WYSS - DIXON, MO USA

Rebuilding the Fairchild – enjoyable work – meeting and making good friends. Fuselage about ready to recover, wings not too far away. Probably do the engine this winter; spend next year trying to find all the parts. Completion date is FIRM, it will be THANKSGIVING DAY, don’t know which month or year this Thanksgiving Day will be. (John is rebuilding a F22-C7F. That is the way to set a schedule, when it is done, it will be Thanksgiving Day.)

CARL CARR - ROCKFORD, OH USA

Just got the F24-R39 annulled. Rebuilt the Ranger engine. This plane was bought new by Buddy Rogers and Mary Pickford of silent movie fame, was in a museum in California for eight years. (ED note: We find that more and more famous people owned Fairchilds, we always knew that it was a desirable aircraft.)

MIKE PFAU - BOTTINEAU, ND USA

I’m presently putting the engine back together with a fresh top overhaul. Had the piston modification done and I am anxious to see how it works. Hopefully the oil consumption is considerably lower (it was up to three quarts per hour.) Hope to see you at Oshkosh. (ED note: The piston modification is done to the oil ring groove, with a chamfer and holes drilled into the piston skirt. The club has the information on it.)

BILL PETERS -- LONG BEACH, CA USA

Bill and some friends have come up with a very good use for a PT-23. Yesterday Aviation. Now you can go fly a PT. The description of flying a PT-23 applies to all PTs. Just remember, in the Ranger powered ones, the settings ma be a little different.

FLYING THE FAIRCHILD PT-23

This short essay won’t teach you to fly -- it’s just intended to make the transition to the PT-23 easier. If you learned to fly in a Cub or Aeronca Champ -- you already know all this -- but if you learned in a tricycle gear airplane -- please read on.

First off – the PT-23 is a docile, straightforward airplane – a great many WW2 Army Air Corps pilots learned to fly from scratch in one of these machines – so get ready to enjoy yourself. From the top – as part of the preflight – check throttle closed, mixture idle cut-off – mags OFF – pull the prop through 10-12 blades – radial engines collect oil in the bottom cylinders and this is a radial – then 4-5 shots of prime while gently working the wobble pump – mags on, mixture rich, throttle cracked and master switch on – and it will start.

In taxiing – keep the stick back a little to keep pressure on the tailwheel – take it easy on the brakes – it’s a very easy airplane to taxi; with a following wind – taxi slowly – keep a little forward stick – check your controls, instruments, and then mags and carb heat at 1600 RPM. On takeoff, open the throttle SLOWLY easing in right rudder to counteract P-factor and keep the airplane STRAIGHT – keep the stick back a little to help with the tailwheel steering until the rudder takes a hold at about 40 mph – then let the tail come up and it will fly off at about 60 mph. You will need right rudder to climb out. The PT cruises fine at about 1815 RPM (DO NOT LEAN BELOW 5000 FT.) Best climb speed is 80 mph.

When landing, until you get used to the airplane – use half flaps and glide at 80 mph (placarded flap speed is 95 mph) – it will probably come down a little faster than you expect, so keep 1400 – 1500 RPM (also keep the engine clear) – carburetor heat is recommended. On approach – remove all draft – keep coming back on the stick as you near the ground – if it looks as though you’ve come too far – DON’T put the stick forward – just hold what you’ve got until the airplane slows down – then continue coming back (if it settles too fast, use a little power) – land the airplane gently with the tail down – ideally at touchdown – the stick should be about all the way back – keep the airplane straight during rollout and under control until you’ve got it in the chocks. If it starts to act up during landing – DON’T shove the stick forward to nail down the nose wheel. "General Advice" keep the airplane STRAIGHT on takeoffs and landings – avoid sudden throttle or forward stick movements and you’ll do fine and enjoy the PT-23.

Private Pilots License or better, by appointment only. Call Rick, Al, or Bill at (619) 436-9060