Just finished a PA12 project that started shedding the fabric in flight a little over three years ago a few hours after an engine upgrade to 150 hp. Stewart System process on the recover with the owners color scheme, plus the owner didn't want any major mods, so they didn't happen, as a result it weighed in at 1117 pounds. My post retirement plan was to close my wood shop door behind me on the way in and stay. Apparently that's not going to happen, I'm rolling into my third project, a J3, with other people throwing projects at me. Pierce didn't tell me that would happen when I attended his seminar and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express.
I sent Aerographics the metal Piper emblem and had them cut the vinyl for it, that is much easier than trying to paint. They have saved that design so you can do black or any color you want.
The interior side walls have aluminum panels installed instead of fabric which I thought would be easier for installation and future maintenance. The headliner is Airtex, my first, and is two days out of my life I won't get back. Clyde Smith cut the very basic VFR panel and recommended that we move all the electrical "stuff" to the side panel, so he made an enlarged side panel to accomplish that. A great idea. The seats were covered locally with leather and the three layer foam was from Jim Fix. The 150 hp upgrade was accomplished with the Kenmore STC and a Sutton exhaust. The old fuel tanks were replaced with Wag Areo tanks, and they dropped right in. Craig Frisby at Rexburg Air Service is the IA I work with and he does the systems and assembly, all the hard stuff.
I know there are plenty of PA12 mods that are popular to install at recover/rebuild time, but the owners just wanted a good basic PA12 and didn't want the added expense. It should be a great flying machine, I'll find out in the next day or two.
I sent Aerographics the metal Piper emblem and had them cut the vinyl for it, that is much easier than trying to paint. They have saved that design so you can do black or any color you want.
The interior side walls have aluminum panels installed instead of fabric which I thought would be easier for installation and future maintenance. The headliner is Airtex, my first, and is two days out of my life I won't get back. Clyde Smith cut the very basic VFR panel and recommended that we move all the electrical "stuff" to the side panel, so he made an enlarged side panel to accomplish that. A great idea. The seats were covered locally with leather and the three layer foam was from Jim Fix. The 150 hp upgrade was accomplished with the Kenmore STC and a Sutton exhaust. The old fuel tanks were replaced with Wag Areo tanks, and they dropped right in. Craig Frisby at Rexburg Air Service is the IA I work with and he does the systems and assembly, all the hard stuff.
I know there are plenty of PA12 mods that are popular to install at recover/rebuild time, but the owners just wanted a good basic PA12 and didn't want the added expense. It should be a great flying machine, I'll find out in the next day or two.
