Hello fellow members,
New member here checking in from Indiana. I joined this site because I was turned onto a 1946 J3 and am in need of advice. First off, some background on myself. I am an IFR rated commercial pilot with over 400 hours. Almost all of my time is in tricycle geared aircraft. I do have my tailwheel endorsement, and I want more time in them. My uncle owns a champ and when I spoke with him about flying it he told me about his late friend Bill. Bill had a 1946 J3 and it is still sitting in the barn where he parked it about 12 years ago. I made contact with the family and they still have the aircraft and would be interested in selling it.
The aircraft was purchased by Bill in 1956 and he was the second owner. To what I can tell, the aircraft is all original with the original gauges and engine. The plane was recovered about 12 years ago. Shortly after that, Bill stopped flying due to health reasons. Bill died 6 years later and the plane has not moved ever since. It is unclear how long it has been since the engine was started (although I know it has been at least 6 years). I looked down the dipstick tube and there is a pretty decent amount of rust on the inside. A raccoon chewed a hole in the fabric on the left wing where the aileron cable is. From what I have read, I believe the hole can be patched. The plane does appear to need other cosmetic attention around the fuselage.
Now on the the part where I need the forums help. The family is looking for the plane logs and records. Of they are unable to find them, I know that will substantially lower the value of the aircraft. However, without any records will I be able to get an airworthy cert? I hate seeing history rotting away in a barn, but I don't have the money to spend $40k on a plane that will only be worth 20k complete, or worse not be able to enjoy flying it. I understand that without physically seeing the plane it is very unluckily to be able to give an estimate to the planes worth, but I will post a few pics and if anyone could give me an idea how much it is worth and how much it will be to get it flying again I would really appreciate it. I am not as concerned with how much it will be worth in flying condition because my intentions are to fly it, not sell it. I want to give the family a fair offer without hurting either side. Sorry for the long post and any input is appreciated. I like the idea of being able to fly an aircraft that is 70 years old in the same manner as it left the factory, and have no intentions of adding an electrical system or starter (although I am still unclear if an elt is required).
Thanks,
poberly
New member here checking in from Indiana. I joined this site because I was turned onto a 1946 J3 and am in need of advice. First off, some background on myself. I am an IFR rated commercial pilot with over 400 hours. Almost all of my time is in tricycle geared aircraft. I do have my tailwheel endorsement, and I want more time in them. My uncle owns a champ and when I spoke with him about flying it he told me about his late friend Bill. Bill had a 1946 J3 and it is still sitting in the barn where he parked it about 12 years ago. I made contact with the family and they still have the aircraft and would be interested in selling it.
The aircraft was purchased by Bill in 1956 and he was the second owner. To what I can tell, the aircraft is all original with the original gauges and engine. The plane was recovered about 12 years ago. Shortly after that, Bill stopped flying due to health reasons. Bill died 6 years later and the plane has not moved ever since. It is unclear how long it has been since the engine was started (although I know it has been at least 6 years). I looked down the dipstick tube and there is a pretty decent amount of rust on the inside. A raccoon chewed a hole in the fabric on the left wing where the aileron cable is. From what I have read, I believe the hole can be patched. The plane does appear to need other cosmetic attention around the fuselage.
Now on the the part where I need the forums help. The family is looking for the plane logs and records. Of they are unable to find them, I know that will substantially lower the value of the aircraft. However, without any records will I be able to get an airworthy cert? I hate seeing history rotting away in a barn, but I don't have the money to spend $40k on a plane that will only be worth 20k complete, or worse not be able to enjoy flying it. I understand that without physically seeing the plane it is very unluckily to be able to give an estimate to the planes worth, but I will post a few pics and if anyone could give me an idea how much it is worth and how much it will be to get it flying again I would really appreciate it. I am not as concerned with how much it will be worth in flying condition because my intentions are to fly it, not sell it. I want to give the family a fair offer without hurting either side. Sorry for the long post and any input is appreciated. I like the idea of being able to fly an aircraft that is 70 years old in the same manner as it left the factory, and have no intentions of adding an electrical system or starter (although I am still unclear if an elt is required).
Thanks,
poberly
