If we could do what you are thinking don't you think we would have done it... Or do you think we like the FAA "hassle" all I can say is geezzzz......
If you want a expermental, go build one.. The FAA is not going to let you decertfy a certified aircraft to get around their regs... I for one like it that way, My Ercoupe is 53 years old and is in GREAT SHAPE... how many 1946 Cars are still running around in great shape? There is a reason for that. Some one on the list tried the Subru and gave up. Trying to get a STC for a un-certified engine is not going to happen. Again I like it that way.... Just so you know, I do not work for the FAA. If you are rebuilding a basket case, it is going to cost you a LOT of time and money.... There are a number of licensed coupes in flying condition for under $13,000... You answered your own question for $13,500 you can get a already flying coup in good condition. heck I only have 14k into mine and it is worth a bit more than that... and I fly more than 200 hours a year. So what have you saved?????? As to your last statement "Any information and ENCOURAGEMENT are invited, discouraging remarks or advice against will be read, but probably not heeded." You are just a FOOL, but I hope I did intain you and the group. I will post this to the group in a effort to get it into the archives, this way other mis-guided fools can at least find this information before buying a $3500 planter for the front yard. ----- Original Message ----- From: Douglas Stierman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, November 12, 1999 10:24 AM Subject: Subaru powered 'coupe? > Hello all, > > I am considering building my "basket case" Ercoupe with a Subaru > Engine. I know that I will have to de-certify the airplane into the > Experimental category and that's fine with me. I don't have any dreams of > obtaining/developing an STC or ever re-certifing the plane. I simply want > to build my 'coupe the way I want without alot of hassle. Since I am not > an A & P, I figure this is the way to do it. I am also considering > covering the wings with 6061T6 and using AVEX Rivets for the covering. > Zenair actually has a certified plane which uses these materials as well > as their Zodiac kit planes. I figure that I can get a coupe which might > have never flied again back up in the air without breaking my budget in > A&P labor and FAA paperwork. Also, I'd be able to do my own work...and > engine overhauls on the Soob would only be ~$1,000. I had originally > planned on constructing an exp. plane, but I think that this "hybrid > 'coupe" project will take less time(already mostly contructed) and cost a > bit less while still allowing me to do all the work myself and take a few > liberties without radical;ly changing the design or requiring costly STCs. > > Does anyone know the procedure for de-certifing the plane? I > assume once I start work on it, I'll have to log my work as required for a > homebuilt. I plan on sticking mostly to Fred's design except for the > Engine/Prop(Subaru with 3 blade carbon fiber prop) and the Instrument > panel/Seats/and baggage compartment. None of my mods should affect the > weight & balance. Most of the stuff has STCd equvalants in certified > 'coupes. > > I know that I'll probably get a lot of discouraging replies from > 'coupe purists who will warn me about de-certifing and spoiling my re-sale > value. But ....what is the resale value of a $3500 basket case with no > engine or prop? It would probably cost me $20K to get this thing flying > again as a certified, but for around $10K I could have an experimental > 'coupe AND do my own work on it PLUS $1000 engine overhauls. If I decide > to go foward with this, I'll start a web page documenting my work. Any > information and ENCOURAGEMENT are invited, discouraging remarks or advice > against will be read, but probably not heeded. > > Thanks for reading this... > > > Doug Stierman > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >
<<attachment: winmail.dat>>
