Taylorcraft F22 Explained

The Taylorcraft F22 is a two-seat American light aircraft produced in small numbers by Taylorcraft in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is a further development of the Taylorcraft F-19 via the F-21 design. Manufacturing and marketing of the F22 was halted by the financial difficulties of Taylorcraft, although plans to restart production existed in 2007.

Design and development

The F22 is a high-wing, strut-braced monoplane of conventional design.[1] Two of the four variants produced had fixed, tailwheel undercarriage, but the F22A and F22C had fixed, tricycle undercarriage instead. The pilot and a single passenger sit side-by-side in an enclosed cabin. Power is supplied by a piston engine mounted tractor-fashion in the nose, driving a propeller. The airframe is of welded steel tube, covered in fabric.[2]

The prototype, registered N180GT, first flew on August 1, 1989, and production started at Taylorcraft's Lock Haven factory by the end of the year. In 1992, after only 17 F22s were built, Taylorcraft was bankrupt and ceased business.

Variants

F22 Classic
  • Developed from the F-21B. Lycoming O-235 engine. Prototype N180GT had tricycle undercarriage, but production examples had tailwheels. (4 built, including prototype)
    F22A Tracker
  • Also marketed as the Tri-Classic. Lycoming O-235-powered version with tricycle undercarriage. (11 built)
    F22B Ranger
  • Also marketed as the STOL-180. Tailwheel version with Lycoming O-360 engine. (1 built)
    F22C Trooper
  • Also marketed as the TriSTOL. Tricycle undercarriage version with Lycoming O-360 engine. (1 built)

    References

    Bibliography

    Notes and References

    1. Taylor 1993, p.961
    2. Jackson 2007, p.906