Ya know...
There's been alot said about TRUTH on this list lately. Well, how
about
REALITY?
My take it that from the latter, the former can be discovered.
Especially
by minds who's body is stuck at home watching the rain instead of at the
airport.
Reality#1 = The airplane is of no use over most of this planet.
Outside of
Alaska, it really has no use in the USA. Our road system provides cheap
and reliable transportation. It is massively supported, runs 24 x 7, and
goes every where. It is noted in the aviation press that there are many
thousands of small airports, unserved by the airlines. How Convenient.
But when you fly into one, where are you? At that airport. If your real
business is in the town ten miles away, well, have a nice walk.
Reality#2 = The litigous/legislative set up of American society (your
country's court system may differ). In US News and World Report of
17 December, there was a series of pieces on lawyers. Interesting
reading though not exactly new news. What was new to me was how
profitable Class Action suits were. Usually settled without trial for a
lot of money, and providing good basis for further litagation. And as
much as my wife hates cigarettes, she has to admit that the tobacco
settlement has provided a cash bonanza for "Blitigants" (beligerant
litigants). Lagislatively, the constant addindum of rules has made it
real hard to produce a totally legal airplane profitably.
So we are stuck with a product of no use (=no market) that has to jump
through many expensive hoops to be sold, and for which there is an
almost certain chance to be attacked via the courts.
That people tend to the needs of aged airplanes (the Ercoupe is only
one because the others are no more useful) is an amazing testament
to the love of such. If you have an airplane, you have a project. Either
that or enough money to point at it and say "Fix" to your local FBO.
As to putting more holes in the Ercoupe. The plane was not designed
for infinate inspectability. Most aircraft are not. It is always
discovered
after manufacture that "You can't get there from here." Any body that
has swung a wrench on an airplane can attest to dozens of places. My
pet peeve is the nuts on the oil tank of the Contental engines.
Percy in Portland
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