New Member

[ktp_108]

Hello everyone, I am a new member to the ISC and look forward to building my knowledge on Stinson aircraft. I know I will be asking a lot of questions, please bear with me. I am presently shopping for a Stinson and will look forward to any and all input you can help me with. I have been flying since 2009, private pilot, single engine, land. I am new to this as well! I am not tail wheel indorsed yet, hence the need to purchase. I look forward to making new friends here and exchanging messages.
Safe flying.

[tsparr]

Hello ktp,

Welcome to the ISC and the wonderful world of Stinsons, the Standard of the World.

So that we can converse on a more personal level, please provide your name and maybe some of your goals regarding Stinsons.

You may be planning to attend Airventure 2012, and if not, that would be a perfect starting venue for you. Visit the Type Tent(building) near The Red Barn and especially the ISC Table, and talk to Pat Smith, Logan Boles and/or Larry Wheellock, not in any particular order.
They can tell you anything you might ever want to know about Stinsons, as can numerous other members who may be in the area. There should be plenty of Stinson aircraft to look at too.

Good fortune and Enjoy!! Best Regards, Tom & NC577C, 108-3, near St. Louis, MO

[loganboles]

Greetings, "New Member",

As Tom suggested, a name would be helpful. You have come to the right place for Stinson information and support. Oshkosh "AIRVENTURE" is next month and there will be a number of Stinson airplanes and "Stinsoneers" in attendance. Wednesday evening, there will be an ISC dinner at Wendt's on the Lake and we will have a table in the Type Club Hangar.

Any tailwheel airplane requires that the pilot "pay attention" and fly the airplane...on takeoff and landing. The Stinson 108 is a very docile airplane and very easy for a competent pilot to fly. You could get the tailwheel endorsement in any airplane, but your insurance company may want you to have some Stinson time for coverage. There is an instructor giving dual in his Stinson in Yakima, WA, if that is close to you.

Hope to see you at Oshkosh.

Logan Boles

[ktp_108]

Thanks for the feed back.
My name is Kurt Pennuto and I'm in central Minnesota, Washington would be a little far to go for an endorsement. I do have a lead on an instructor not far from me that I have been in contact with.
Your Air Venture suggestion is on my radar, hopefully I can make it.
I have been flying/renting Cessna's, 172 & 152's. I have been in a few tail wheels a Cessna 180 that goes on floats in the summer. A Citabria 7E and a Sportsmann 2+2. What I am looking for in a plane is a four seater, can handle some cross country flying. Minnesota to Iowa, Minnesota to Colorado, Northern Minnesota, and even to the Dakotas. Everything I have read and the few people I have talked to have indicated that the Stinson would be a great plane for that. I have been looking around and have found a 48' 108-3 Voyager not far from me. It is all fabric, which I really like. It was recovered in 2007 and is powered with a Franklin 165 hp w/ 265 SMOH, 30 hr on a prop overhaul and only 1100 TTAF. No ELT but I'm ok with that for now. I have been really excited shopping for a plane but now that it get's closer to coming true I get a little nervous.
As I start actually "kicking" tires, are there items that I should be on the look out for? Can any trusted A&P do an annual and is it appropriate to not use the A&P the seller has used?
I think that may be enough for now, thanks for your time.

Kurt

[BobYoung]

Kurt,
Welcome aboard. You must be very astute to be interested in a Stinson while there are so many Cessnas and Pipers out there. Go to Hangar 9 Aeroworks, and Westins Stinson pages on the internet. I think there is a link to both from this website. In my opinion there is not much difference between the Franklin 150 and the 165, as far as performance is concerned. There is a lot of difference between the 108, -1 -2, on the one hand and the 108-3 on the other. They all have almost identical flying characteristics, but the big tail on the -3 sets it apart. I am partial to the small tail. I have a -2 with 165 Franklin, so I may be prejudiced, although my bias is not without reason.
You are certainly in the right part of the country to find a good Stinson. Be patient in your search and find some to fly. That may be a little difficult as your window for flying is limited there. I can't emphasize enough that you should fly the Stinson with a good instructor or an experienced owner. It is easy to fly, and take it from a tricycle gear flyer who hadn't flown a taildragger in 60 years, it is a pleasure to fly and a lot of fun.