58float182
Registered User
Atlanta Area, Georgia
I need some ideas! I have a 1958 182 extensively modified hot rod that earlier (7 years ago) we obtained a 337 Field Approval for Edo 2790's amphibs based on an earlier STC for Edo 2960's and a Canadian LSTC for the float swap. The field approval part was the substitution of wheel gear on the 2960's to convert them to 2790's (very similar to each other except one has wheel gear and some different skins and bulkheads). The original Float kit received a lot of bad press and there were some instances of firewall buckling etc. (and worse) with other aircraft. In looking at the kit it didn't transmit the front strut loads to the engine mount directly--instead it first transmitted the loads to the stringers next to the firewall engine mount bolts which were only tied into the engine mount by the firewall itself and only the firewall was there to take the inward strut loads.
Anyway I thought about modifying the front strut mounts to make a solid connection to the firewall motor mount bolts but in the end looked at the Sea Planes West Float Kit which was far superior because it tied into the motor mount bolts plus used a stronger motor mount and a tie bar across the bottom firewall motor mount bolts. The SPW Kit I learned was soon to be approved on the Edo 2960's so thought no problem with another field approval (this part started about 4 years ago before the field approval process changed).
Fast forward to today. I try and play legal and sent in a beautiful package of data for a field approval with the check list and Edo and SPW drawings etc., and even had a DER who looked over the package and had
his name on the submission (by the way I am in the southeast and I have not found a lot of DER/ ACO experience with floats). In this package I used the SPW STC and the prior approval as acceptable data. The local FSDO kicked it up to the Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) who said the FSDO could approve based on the submission but they suggested the FSDO not approve it and that I apply for a one time STC. The DER got P'O'ed at the ACO and argued the modification was approvable but in the end it went no where.
So I search out a new DER to handle the onetime STC application. In looking for a new DER I check with EDO and SPW for some recommendations and both are focused on various project and can't commit resources (or their DER) to a one off project. I finally find a local DER who expressed some interest but doesn't have a great understanding of the 2790's and the 2960's and his SWAG quote is 50 to 60K. This DER thinks we need to do a lot of engineering on the loads and structures. Of course all of this stuff is approved parts at much higher gross weights on either the SPW later model 182's or the 2790 floats on the Cessna185. Since the reason I am using this combination is to keep the cost down 50 to 60K is not really a solution.
So my thoughts and questions are:
1) Do I really need a field approval/ STC for the float swap since the floats are approved on the airplane already and I am only swapping out one STC float kit for another STC'ed float kit (down to the deck fittings)? I know I should of asked this question earlier.
2) Anybody able to recommend a DER who may be able to assist me on a more cost effective basis? I don't expect anything for free but it must make some sense.
3) Do I need to Forum shop the FSDO for one in a jurisdiction that sees a lot of floats?
4) Will the field approval nonsense end anytime soon--any regulatory relief on the horizon?
5) Any other ideas?
Some additional info--I am deep $$ into the 182 so selling it is not really a great option--I plan to keep it for life. I work with a great shop where the A & P is a true craftsman but he has no experience with paperwork issues like this. This is really crazy- the SPW kit is so superior to the original kit it is a huge common sense safety improvement- this is the 337 process run amuck.
Thanks Todd
toddwest@bellsouth.net
Anyway I thought about modifying the front strut mounts to make a solid connection to the firewall motor mount bolts but in the end looked at the Sea Planes West Float Kit which was far superior because it tied into the motor mount bolts plus used a stronger motor mount and a tie bar across the bottom firewall motor mount bolts. The SPW Kit I learned was soon to be approved on the Edo 2960's so thought no problem with another field approval (this part started about 4 years ago before the field approval process changed).
Fast forward to today. I try and play legal and sent in a beautiful package of data for a field approval with the check list and Edo and SPW drawings etc., and even had a DER who looked over the package and had
his name on the submission (by the way I am in the southeast and I have not found a lot of DER/ ACO experience with floats). In this package I used the SPW STC and the prior approval as acceptable data. The local FSDO kicked it up to the Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) who said the FSDO could approve based on the submission but they suggested the FSDO not approve it and that I apply for a one time STC. The DER got P'O'ed at the ACO and argued the modification was approvable but in the end it went no where.
So I search out a new DER to handle the onetime STC application. In looking for a new DER I check with EDO and SPW for some recommendations and both are focused on various project and can't commit resources (or their DER) to a one off project. I finally find a local DER who expressed some interest but doesn't have a great understanding of the 2790's and the 2960's and his SWAG quote is 50 to 60K. This DER thinks we need to do a lot of engineering on the loads and structures. Of course all of this stuff is approved parts at much higher gross weights on either the SPW later model 182's or the 2790 floats on the Cessna185. Since the reason I am using this combination is to keep the cost down 50 to 60K is not really a solution.
So my thoughts and questions are:
1) Do I really need a field approval/ STC for the float swap since the floats are approved on the airplane already and I am only swapping out one STC float kit for another STC'ed float kit (down to the deck fittings)? I know I should of asked this question earlier.
2) Anybody able to recommend a DER who may be able to assist me on a more cost effective basis? I don't expect anything for free but it must make some sense.
3) Do I need to Forum shop the FSDO for one in a jurisdiction that sees a lot of floats?
4) Will the field approval nonsense end anytime soon--any regulatory relief on the horizon?
5) Any other ideas?
Some additional info--I am deep $$ into the 182 so selling it is not really a great option--I plan to keep it for life. I work with a great shop where the A & P is a true craftsman but he has no experience with paperwork issues like this. This is really crazy- the SPW kit is so superior to the original kit it is a huge common sense safety improvement- this is the 337 process run amuck.
Thanks Todd
toddwest@bellsouth.net
