The Travails of He who is The Shepherd

[Shepherd]

So glad Steingar checked back in. I miss his posts, and I am blatantly stealing his title.

I haven't been posting much. On August 10th. I bought a 1946 Ercoupe.
It sounded great. Only 17.5 hrs on a C-85. Brand new radio, new AV-30, new ELT.
What could possibly be wrong?
No annual for at least 15 years
Finally an annual in 2024
Yeah 17.5 hours on the engine since 1993.
Stuck valve.
The spark plugs are so rusty I can't identify them.
A still undetermined number of missing parts.
Missing half of the forward welt assembly, and the rear welt assembly was disintegrating.
Burned out strobe. Parking brake defunct, no idea if the brakes work. Electrical system needed some work.
Interior is a mess. Grease and grunge everywhere.
Mrs. Shepherd is not happy. "You are TOO OLD for a project."

We took the wings off and towed it home.
On the plus side:
The wings went on the next day. It's in a hanger, I work on it most mornings.
I fixed the electrical issues. Replaced the strobe, Nav and landing lights.
I have replaced the front and rear welt assemblies, and put all the interior sheet metal back in (huge pain, HUGE)
Sliding windows in and actually slide up and down.
I fixed the stuck valve. The engine is running.
Not sure if the brakes work yet. I need someone to pull the chocks after I start it.
New Tempest plugs sitting behind me. I'll gap them when I'm done here.
I'm hoping it will be ready to annual in December.

View attachment enginerun1.mp4
View attachment enginerun1.mp4

 

[Half Fast]

COOL!

Regarding

Not sure if the brakes work yet. I need someone to pull the chocks after I start it.

Don't do it that way. If they don't hold, the "someone" could easily be struck by a part of the plane.

Just have someone hold the brakes on while you try to pull the plane with the towbar.

If the brakes hold for that, then put chocks or logs or bricks or whatever a foot or two in front of the wheels, then start it up while holding the brakes. If they slip, you'll just roll a foot or so before you're stopped and can shut down.

 

[Ed Haywood]

Bringing a plane back from the brink is a good and honorable task.

 

[luvflyin]

So glad Steingar checked back in. I miss his posts, and I am blatantly stealing his title.

I haven't been posting much. On August 10th. I bought a 1946 Ercoupe.
It sounded great. Only 17.5 hrs on a C-85. Brand new radio, new AV-30, new ELT.
What could possibly be wrong?
No annual for at least 15 years
Finally an annual in 2024
Yeah 17.5 hours on the engine since 1993.
Stuck valve.
The spark plugs are so rusty I can't identify them.
A still undetermined number of missing parts.
Missing half of the forward welt assembly, and the rear welt assembly was disintegrating.
Burned out strobe. Parking brake defunct, no idea if the brakes work. Electrical system needed some work.
Interior is a mess. Grease and grunge everywhere.
Mrs. Shepherd is not happy. "You are TOO OLD for a project."

We took the wings off and towed it home.
On the plus side:
The wings went on the next day. It's in a hanger, I work on it most mornings.
I fixed the electrical issues. Replaced the strobe, Nav and landing lights.
I have replaced the front and rear welt assemblies, and put all the interior sheet metal back in (huge pain, HUGE)
Sliding windows in and actually slide up and down.
I fixed the stuck valve. The engine is running.
Not sure if the brakes work yet. I need someone to pull the chocks after I start it.
New Tempest plugs sitting behind me. I'll gap them when I'm done here.
I'm hoping it will be ready to annual in December.
View attachment 155892View attachment 155893
View attachment 155894View attachment 155893
View attachment 155894

Cool, have fun. Sounds you have a SWMBD

 

[steingar]

Good to hear that @Shepherd is back. Imitation is the surest form of flattery, so call me flattered. It is my hope that @Shepard has an A&P license or is good buddies with someone who has one, given that this is a certificated aircraft. One of the reasons I wish to return to aviation in an experimental is to get around these little topes.​

​

I hope the project goes well and you return this fine old airplane to the air where it belongs. I'd love to restore an old airplane, but I doubt it will happen absent the A&P. I was told by the FAA guy that I can't get it because I'm auditing, and without a grade they can't determine proficiency. I was surprised he could tell me that with a straight face.​

 

[Doc Holliday]

I was told by the FAA guy that I can't get it because I'm auditing, and without a grade they can't determine proficiency. I was surprised he could tell me that with a straight face.​

I'm assuming you are in a Part 147 program? What does the 147 curriculum require to graduate the course?

 

[Shepherd]

COOL!

Regarding

Don't do it that way. If they don't hold, the "someone" could easily be struck by a part of the plane.

Just have someone hold the brakes on while you try to pull the plane with the towbar.

If the brakes hold for that, then put chocks or logs or bricks or whatever a foot or two in front of the wheels, then start it up while holding the brakes. If they slip, you'll just roll a foot or so before you're stopped and can shut down.

Much, much better than my idea.

Good to hear that @Shepherd is back. Imitation is the surest form of flattery, so call me flattered. It is my hope that @Shepard has an A&P license or is good buddies with someone who has one, given that this is a certificated aircraft. One of the reasons I wish to return to aviation in an experimental is to get around these little topes.​

​

I hope the project goes well and you return this fine old airplane to the air where it belongs. I'd love to restore an old airplane, but I doubt it will happen absent the A&P. I was told by the FAA guy that I can't get it because I'm auditing, and without a grade they can't determine proficiency. I was surprised he could tell me that with a straight face.​

Doing what I am allowed with an A&P looking over my shoulder. He is doing all the FAA required stuff.

 

[Half Fast]

Doing what I am allowed with an A&P looking over my shoulder.

That’s a great spot for the A&P to have a hand on your wallet.

 

[Ed Haywood]

Much, much better than my idea.

Doing what I am allowed with an A&P looking over my shoulder. He is doing all the FAA required stuff.

FWIW you are allowed to do almost ANYTHING with the A&P looking over your shoulder, as long as you possess the required technical skills, tools, etc.

The limitations are mostly for inspections. The IA cannot tell you to inspect something for him. His eyes gotta do that.

I'm sure there are nuances that people like @Bell206 can elaborate on. But my basic point is that the A&P does not have magic hands. As long as he is in a position to supervise your work to ensure it is done right, you can do almost everything in your project.

Also, looking over your shoulder does not have to be literal or continuous. He just needs to be in a position to ensure the work was done correctly.

When I was restoring my plane, my A&P would stop by on Monday and we would discuss what I planned to do that week. On Friday he would check it all out. If I ran into snags during the week he would stop by to resolve.

 

[Dan Thomas]

COOL!

Regarding

Don't do it that way. If they don't hold, the "someone" could easily be struck by a part of the plane.

Just have someone hold the brakes on while you try to pull the plane with the towbar.

If the brakes hold for that, then put chocks or logs or bricks or whatever a foot or two in front of the wheels, then start it up while holding the brakes. If they slip, you'll just roll a foot or so before you're stopped and can shut down.

Or tie the tail to a truck with a stout rope. Leave some slack to see if the brakes really do work. Make sure the structure around the tail tiedown ring isn't rotten.

But I would expect those caliper pistons to be seized in their bores. Even if they clamp the disc, they might not release much. I would be inclined to take them off, dismantle them, clean them up, and install new O-rings. Cheap. If there is serious pitting in the bore, you need to consider new calipers.

Airplanes and cars rot whether they are used or not. Without thorough annual inspections, cracks/corrosion/rot can accumulate to the point that it is not repairable.

 

[Shepherd]

That’s a great spot for the A&P to have a hand on your wallet.

Normally I would agree with you, but I've known my A&P since he was 10 years old.
I trust him.

 

[Racerx]

@eman1200 is gonna have to up his game

Welcome back! Cool project

 

[Shepherd]

Also, looking over your shoulder does not have to be literal or continuous. He just needs to be in a position to ensure the work was done correctly.

When I was restoring my plane, my A&P would stop by on Monday and we would discuss what I planned to do that week. On Friday he would check it all out. If I ran into snags during the week he would stop by to resolve.

This is what we are doing. Sometimes he stops in twice a week, looks over what I have done, grades my work, and lets me know if anything is not up to spec. So far my only down check was trying to use stainless steel cotter pins on the wing bolts. You can't bend them. Out they came and new pins installed.
I send him a list of what I will be working on each day, and he gives me a yes or revises the list.

 

[Ed Haywood]

This is what we are doing. Sometimes he stops in twice a week, looks over what I have done, grades my work, and lets me know if anything is not up to spec. So far my only down check was trying to use stainless steel cotter pins on the wing bolts. You can't bend them. Out they came and new pins installed.
I send him a list of what I will be working on each day, and he gives me a yes or revises the list.

Awesome! You'll have a great time. My project was a lifetime memory.

 

[Bell206]

Also, looking over your shoulder does not have to be literal or continuous. He just needs to be in a position to ensure the work was done correctly.

Technically, 43.3(d) states it is literal so regardless how you and your mechanic make your "arrangements" I would refrain from posting what days those "arrangements" take place.

 

[Ed Haywood]

Technically, 43.3(d) states it is literal so regardless how you and your mechanic make your "arrangements" I would refrain from posting what days those "arrangements" take place.

My arrangements as described are entirely consistent with 43.3(d).

​

43.3(d) – A person working under the supervision of a holder of a mechanic or repairman certificate may perform the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations that his supervisor is authorized to perform, if the supervisor personally observes the work being done to the extent necessary to ensure that it is being done properly and if the supervisor is readily available, in person, for consultation.​

Supervised Maintenance - SavvyAviation

Who is allowed to perform maintenance on a certificated aircraft? The FAA rule that answers that question is 14 CFR 43.3—Persons authorized to perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alterations. This rule authorizes repair stations, A&P mechanics, repairmen working for a...

www.savvyaviation.com

 

[Bell206]

if the supervisor is readily available, in person, for consultation.

As noted, this is typically where owners get caught. So in your example, if you were performing work that technically required supervision on Tuesday -Thursday, without your mechanic "readily available in person" that put you outside the exceptions in 43.3(d). For context, when I had a customer performing supervised work, we would schedule those tasks so that I could satisfy the "readily available" requirement and when I couldn't satisfy that requirement, they would perform tasks they could sign off as prevent mx or were considered non-mx tasks. As to the referenced Moss LOI, there is more to that entire fiasco than is being portrayed in that article, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[X3 Skier]

At least it looked nice when you bought it. Rudder pedals or stock? First time I flew mine I stepped on the brake while banking due to muscle memory. Also using the pull starter took some learning as well.

Join the Ercoupe Owners Club. Lots of info there that is/was helpful to me.