![\"20130616-093619.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/stjohn.openbar.com\/airplane\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/20130616-093619.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI’m not sure which model this is, but I think it’s an 8C or 8D. \u00a0 It burns 4 gallons per hour, which is probably about half of what the Pipers I learned on did. \u00a0 It has no flaps, no lights, and only the minimum equipment of single radio and transponder to get around Southern California’s interesting airspace.<\/p>\n
Now, I’ve never been in, much less flown a taildragger, and the oldest airplane I’ve even sat in was an old L-19 Bird Dog in Ft. Leavenworth KS when I was a little kid. \u00a0 \u00a0This aircraft was built some time during the early 1940’s, and Ron was kind enough to let me follow him on the pedals to get a feel for the quirks of a taildragger. \u00a0 This shot is one out the right window, us taxiing to runway 22 at OXR.<\/p>\n The instrument panel is simplicity itself. \u00a0 Everything you need for day VFR, nothing you don’t. \u00a0 The mount for the Garmin 296 GPS looks strangely out of place, over to the side out of frame. \u00a0 There’s a single vernier cable control for throttle and a small one for carb heat. \u00a0I didn’t see one for mixture. \u00a0I don’t think there is one. \u00a0 The fuel gauge is on the bulkhead behind me, between the two seats.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>And another out the front.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n