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Dr. D’s Old-Time Aerobatics and the Tumbling T-Cart (N6588C)
Dr. Frank Donnelly
Archive Photos
Dr. D’s Old-Time Aerobatics
Dr. D’s 1946 Taylorcraft Swick Clip-T
Dr. D’s Old-Time Aerobatics
Dr. Frank Donnelly (Dr. D) and his 1946 Taylorcraft are bringing Back old-time aerobatics! A proven performer, Dr. Frank Donnelly has flown more than 100 performances at 40 air shows and holds a ground-level waiver. He delivers a slow-motion, captivating aerial display that provides non-stop excitement for everyone. Donnelly started flying aerobatics in a World-War II-era PT-26 Fairchild trainer. Later he graduated to a 1952 British Royal Air Force Chipmunk.
Inspired by air show great Duane Cole, who wowed spectators flying his clipped-wing Taylorcraft from the 50s to the 80s, Donnelly revived Cole’s act and developed his own style of flying. I want to show people what an old-time airplane can do and have fun doing it! he says. Donnelly’s interest in aviation started young. He was just six years old when his father took him to his first air show, and he yearned to fly from then on. His first flight was in a Piper Cub when he was 10 years old, but it wasn’t until many years later that he earned his private pilot’s license. Today, Donnelly has over 6000 hours and holds commercial pilot single-engine land and private pilot glider ratings, and he’s also certified as a glider tow pilot.
Loops, rolls and hammerheads! The crowd cant keep their eyes off the graceful 1946 Taylorcraft flown by Dr. Frank Donnelly. Donnelly’s Taylorcraft, N6588C, was originally flown in the Southeast, where it was eventually underwent a Swick conversion that turned the humble taildragger into a more mighty aerobatic mount. N6588C has shorter wings (clipped-wing conversion), one seat rather than the original two seats; larger control surfaces; 120-hp Lycoming engine rather than the stock 65-hp Continental; and experimental rather than standard category licensing. (The Taylorcraft also qualifies as a Light Sport Aircraft, the newest and most exciting licensing category approved by the FAA.)
Over the years N6588C deteriorated, and when Donnelly purchased it in 2000, the plane needed a total overhaul. It took him three years and approximately 800 hours to complete the transformation. Today, it is a red, white and blue reminder of old-time aerobatics and the kind of show that still has the grace and power to entertain!
PILOT: Dr. Frank Donnelly, retired psychology professor from Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California.
Air Show Experience: Dr. D. flew 33 shows in the last three years, which represented 68 actual performances. Four night performances were included in the 2007 season where he had 30 strobe lights on the plane. Air show attendees have requested his return at every show he has performed in. He has a level one (ground level) waver.
Unique Quality of DR. D’s Act: Very few pilots are flying old-time aerobatics. I want people to see what air shows were like in the 50s and 60s. The Taylorcraft flies slowly and gracefully, rather than doing the abrupt, neck-wrenching tumbles of modern aerobatic airplanes, says Donnelly. The evening/night strobe light show is also a unique viewing experience.
Dr. D’s Favorite Aerobatic Maneuver: The engine-off landing. Landing with the prop stopped takes a lot of planning. So do the loop and roll that I perform with the engine off. I love ‘em and the crowd does, too, Donnelly remarks. The evening/night performances are also Donnelly’s favorites as doing aerobatics in the dark is a unique experience.
Aircraft Flown: 1946 Taylorcraft (N6588C) with a Swick c/onversion to improve aerobatic performance. The plane has shorter wings (clipped-wing conversion), one seat rather than two seats; larger control surfaces; 120-hp Lycoming engine rather than a 65-hp Continental; and experimental rather than standard category licensing. It is also qualifies as a Light Sport Aircraft.
Taylorcraft N6588C: Until 2000, Taylorcraft N6588C was flown in the Southeast, where it was eventually converted to an aerobatic airplane. Over the years it deteriorated, and when Donnelly purchased it, the plane needed a total overhaul. It took him three years and approximately 800 hours to complete the transformation.
Dr. D’s Total Flight Time: More than 6,000 hours in dozens of mostly old-time airplanes.
Aircraft Ratings: Commercial pilot single-engine land, private pilot glider and certification as a glider tow pilot. Donnelly also has an Airframe/Powerplant mechanic’s license and an aircraft Inspector Authorization.
Other Aviation Accomplishments: In 1995, Donnelly raced his Van’s RV-3 in the Sun 100 Air Race in Lakeland, Florida. He clocked the fasted RV time of the race. In 2000, he won third place in the Copperstate Dash Air Race from Apple Valley, California to Coolidge, Arizona flying the RV-3. In 2001, he was honored to serve as a mechanic for the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team when it competed in the World Air Games in Burgos, Spain. Donnelly also has more than 2,000 hours towing gliders.
Booking Information: Dr. D’s Old-Time Aerobatics is available for the upcoming air show season. For information, call (951) 532-1203, (909) 592-1928 or e-mail fadme@aol.com.
Swick Clip-T Specifications and Performance Data
The Swick-T is a clipped wing aerobatic version of the Taylorcraft. Original it was only available as a standard category aircraft, but it is now approved as an amateur Experimental aircraft. The Swick-T first flew in 1973.
General Characteristics,
Weights
Performance
References