Ezflyr
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
My EAA chapter has been offered a 'free' A-65 powered J3 Cub. I don't have much info on it yet, other than it was flipped onto its back by high winds, and is in need of repair/restoration. Not sure if it was operating at the time of the incident or parked? I do know the fuselage was 'twisted', but has been repaired. Not sure about the engine, prop, or wings?
As a chapter member and Cub owner, I've been asked to offer my advise.....
One member of the chapter is gung-ho about this project, and has visions of being able to offer 'cheap' flight instruction to young pilots. At a bare minimum, I imagine a full recover of the airplane will be necessary. Unless the wings are obviously pristine, they would require stripping and a thorough inspection. Likewise, the engine. If running, the engine will require a teardown inspection and a prop. Even if not running and the prop is damaged, a teardown of the engine is prudent. Not even sure how long since it's been sitting!
Although we do have A&P resources in the chapter to help, the bulk of the work would be done by chapter members. In spite of that, I still see this as a fairly expensive undertaking by the chapter. The old adage of "I never realized how expensive it was until I got it for free" comes to mind!
Clearly a full assessment of the viability of this project depends on an inspection of the aircraft and a lot of details filled in. At the moment, I'm thinking that this is a much bigger effort than most folks realize. With volunteer labor, this project could take years to complete, and still cost upwards of $20K.
Never having rehabbed a 'tossed' Cub before, I'm looking for input on the magnitude of the effort to make this Cub airworthy. Do I walk away, or run....... Or, is this a project that an active EAA chapter should embrace?
John
My EAA chapter has been offered a 'free' A-65 powered J3 Cub. I don't have much info on it yet, other than it was flipped onto its back by high winds, and is in need of repair/restoration. Not sure if it was operating at the time of the incident or parked? I do know the fuselage was 'twisted', but has been repaired. Not sure about the engine, prop, or wings?
As a chapter member and Cub owner, I've been asked to offer my advise.....
One member of the chapter is gung-ho about this project, and has visions of being able to offer 'cheap' flight instruction to young pilots. At a bare minimum, I imagine a full recover of the airplane will be necessary. Unless the wings are obviously pristine, they would require stripping and a thorough inspection. Likewise, the engine. If running, the engine will require a teardown inspection and a prop. Even if not running and the prop is damaged, a teardown of the engine is prudent. Not even sure how long since it's been sitting!
Although we do have A&P resources in the chapter to help, the bulk of the work would be done by chapter members. In spite of that, I still see this as a fairly expensive undertaking by the chapter. The old adage of "I never realized how expensive it was until I got it for free" comes to mind!
Clearly a full assessment of the viability of this project depends on an inspection of the aircraft and a lot of details filled in. At the moment, I'm thinking that this is a much bigger effort than most folks realize. With volunteer labor, this project could take years to complete, and still cost upwards of $20K.
Never having rehabbed a 'tossed' Cub before, I'm looking for input on the magnitude of the effort to make this Cub airworthy. Do I walk away, or run....... Or, is this a project that an active EAA chapter should embrace?
John
