----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----
Are all of our Coupes flying again ? Anyone still under VFR restrictions ? I'm under the impression all Class B areas are now open to VFR.(with some restrictions) -----Original Message----- From: Vern Hendershott [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, October 22, 2001 2:07 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Coupers Subject: Re: [COUPERS] Parts and Pieces ??? ----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- Hi Jimi, I think you are interested in doing a good thing for a good reason and it would be nice if it could be done. I think you may have been given some less than perfect information by your FISDO. You and we need to be carful when we get into parts production. It has been my experience that the FAA does not agree among them selves as to what may be done and when they are confused we run the risk of being hit hard with a violation because they can not fight with each other they can only bring action against us poor users. Yes, it is clear that if you need to manufacture a part for an aircraft that you own and you have "Approved Data" to do the work from it is a legal part. In the Coupe world we are very lucky that we can get most of the "Approved Data" in the form of the FAA approved drawings from the University that holds them. The drawing will tell you the material, sizes and process required to produce the part. So far so good if you wish to make a part for "Your Aircraft". If we move one step further and I ask you to make a part for my aircraft things get grey very fast and the FAA will give you different views depending on how you ask the question and who you ask at the FAA. In general if you make a part for me you need to have PMA (parts manufacturing approval) for that part from the FAA. If you jump through all the hoops they require for this then you will need to charge more than Univair for the part. I am not a big Univair fan but I do understand the need to make a small profit and the costs imposed by the FAA mandated process of granting any production approvals. There are many small parts that can be manufactured in accordance with the "Approved Data" by a competent A&P or shop and I am all for this to replace a small simple part. The wing spar parts you mentioned are an extrusion of aluminum and then after correct machining it must be properly heat treated. The improper heat treatment by ERCO is the cause of our current spar problems. I would be very concerned that you could have the equipment to produce the extrusion blank correctly and then do the heat treatment at a price that any Coupe owner could find attractive. We are stuck with some bad wings and in time it will ground many fine Ercoups. The current design for the wing is not an easy set of parts to duplicate for a small number of wings (it was effective when viewed from the mission of producing thousands of aircraft a year). There is a replacement wing that is of much simpler construction and it is lighter and stronger. It has not been produced for two reasons. First, and most important there is not yet a great demand for them. Second, the legal problems are considerable (product liability) and the potential profits do not cover the risk at this time. The product liability issue is one that you would need to give careful though in any project where you are returning to service a damaged part. If it is involved in a accident and some lawyer can through any logical reach make the argument that some how the part may have caused the accident or been involved in causing it then you will find your self being sued by the estate who are just looking for money anywhere they can find it. It is sad but it is the way we are in the USA today. I wish you good luck. Best regards, Vern James Genzling To: Coupers <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <[EMAIL PROTECTED] cc: com> Subject: [COUPERS] Parts and Pieces ??? 10/22/01 08:12 AM Please respond to jimi ----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- Evening Folks, Been quiet so thought I would toss something out for you to chew on. My friend Dave and I were talking the other day about Coup parts. Mainly the fact that at times they are difficult to find used and often the cost of replacement from Univair is outrageous. The conversation led me to give our FISDO a call and find out some needed information. It boils down to this, If Dave and I can locate used, unserviceable parts, I.E., wings that have been removed due to corroded spars, center sections, cowling or other panels, or even wrecked or otherwise severely damaged coups, we can set up to manufacture or duplicate necessary parts, panels and other pieces needed by the Coup Community at hopefully considerable savings. What brought all this on was the need for "Reasonably" priced wing spars, all the other items just added to it. We believe we can provide this but need parts to disassemble and duplicate to know how well it would work. What I am asking of the list is if you have such items, or know the whereabouts of them I would like to know so we could start working on this through the winter. Any help in acquiring these items would benefit the Coup community plus it would possibly alleviate some of the cost or restoring and upkeep of our prized little birds. Hoping to hear from some of you. Jimi ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiLm.aVzvvT Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
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