TBird

(Factual - nonfiction)

    The TBird is a product of Golden Circle Aircraft in Desoto, Iowa.  I first fell in love with the plane after seeing it fly at Sun and Fun 2002.  I determined then and there to someday own one.  At the time we already owned two powered parachutes and a trike.  By the following winter we had sold the two powered parachutes and was in the process of ordering our new TBird II. 

    We completed its construction and was flying the wings off of it by late April, 2003.  We purchased it as a tail dragger but quickly decided, however, that adding the tri-gear assembly would make it a much easier plane to fly.  It was very docile in the wind and was a very good all around performing airplane.  We added streamline strut fairings which greatly enhanced its performance and fuel economy. 

    Other features that made it a very desirable plane to fly were the actual flight characteristics.  Flying single, it had a fairly decent roll rate - not to say that it was bad flying with two people.  Stalls were a gentle break over with a very easy recovery.  Slow flying was a breeze with very little loss of control.  I regularly flew just over 40 mph to stay behind our club's trikes on some of our trips.  However, when I got bored I simply pushed the nose over and departed their company at around 75 mph and then would ease it back to cruise around 65 mph. 

    The Golden Circle Company (Bob and Dorly Elefson, Kenny, Mike, Kevin) were all very nice as well as very helpful in our purchase and construction of the TBird II.  In fact, we are in the process of building another TBird - a single place unit.  If I liked the performance of the TBird II, I will no doubt love this new little one seater.  My husband is even talking about getting his own TBird I since he knows that he may never get my butt pried out of the seat long enough for him to fly this one.  I really think its just because he lost the argument on whether or not to get a stick or yoke version.  I am steadfast on purchasing the yoke even though I can fly with either one.

    Over all I have been very pleased with the investment we made in the TBird.  We will be documenting on this web site the construction of our new single place (scheduled to begin around December of 2004).  If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at gretchen.watson@wvfunflyers.com.