Helmetfire
Registered User
Caldwell, Texas
Was hangar flying recently with a couple local pilots, one of them is restoring a supercub from a pre-welded and powdercoated fuselage, and a brand new set of prefab wings. The reason I say "restoring" is because he has a crashed supercub that hes using some parts from...the main one being a dataplate
This got me to thinking...I'm mechanically inclined, have a surplus of spare time, have access to many specialized tools with advice from A&P's I work with, and am fortunate to have some cash on hand to potentially get started on a such a project.
This would be an Experimental build for the sole reason that it's getting harder and harder to get any A&P/IA to sign off an annual these days. I have 3 local IA's that Im friends with but none of them will touch my certified Cessna 140 due to our good friend "Mr. Liability"
I am plenty capable of working on my own aircraft safely, and wish to do so on my next plane...I know my limitations and always seek the advice of an A&P if I don't know what I'm doing.
A few thoughts:
Cost: I realize I could buy a good cub for the same price or maybe a little cheaper, but going this route I would end up with a plane that I know inside and out and is not 50 years old with a questionable background. I would most likely utilize a pre-fab fuselage to save a big chunk of time, and probably build a set of wings from a kit. I'm guessing about $20K for the fuse, wing kit, and tail feathers...is this realistic?
Time: It's alot faster to buy a used plane and fly right now, but I have the time to dedicate to this project and if I start with a pre-fab fuselage, I believe I could finish this plane in 12 - 15 months?!. Plus I still have the 140 and a fulltime flying job to satisfy my flying addiction in the meantime. Due to the work schedule, I can honestly say I'd be able to dedicate about 20-25 hours per week on the project, and that's being conservative.
Configuration: I decide what instruments, equipment and mods go on the airplane, instead of buying somebody elses airplane, always wanting to change this or that, but being such a pain in the ass to do...mostly because when you start changing little things, you inevitably discover other problems that need addressing in the process....do it right the first time!!
The "what-if's": What if "life" gets in the way and for whatever reason I have to abandon the project? I'm aware I won't get all of my investment back by selling the pieces, but would it be advisable to maximize my return by using certified parts to have a bigger market for the pieces??? Seems this would ad significant cost to the project....this is highly unlikely, just a part of my research.
To the people here that have done this, what are the problems you ran into? What can I expect? I know there's a hundred ways to skin a cat, but any advice is appreciated! I've been lurking here awhile now and have read through hundreds of posts trying to answer these questions, just wanted to throw my own post in the mix to personalize it...so to speak.
I just read a post about a building seminar in Graham, TX that I would also be really interested in attending. I think this would be a great inspiration for a project of my own, or a big help if I decide to start a project prior to the seminar!
Thanks for any advice!!
Aaron

This got me to thinking...I'm mechanically inclined, have a surplus of spare time, have access to many specialized tools with advice from A&P's I work with, and am fortunate to have some cash on hand to potentially get started on a such a project.
This would be an Experimental build for the sole reason that it's getting harder and harder to get any A&P/IA to sign off an annual these days. I have 3 local IA's that Im friends with but none of them will touch my certified Cessna 140 due to our good friend "Mr. Liability"

A few thoughts:
Cost: I realize I could buy a good cub for the same price or maybe a little cheaper, but going this route I would end up with a plane that I know inside and out and is not 50 years old with a questionable background. I would most likely utilize a pre-fab fuselage to save a big chunk of time, and probably build a set of wings from a kit. I'm guessing about $20K for the fuse, wing kit, and tail feathers...is this realistic?
Time: It's alot faster to buy a used plane and fly right now, but I have the time to dedicate to this project and if I start with a pre-fab fuselage, I believe I could finish this plane in 12 - 15 months?!. Plus I still have the 140 and a fulltime flying job to satisfy my flying addiction in the meantime. Due to the work schedule, I can honestly say I'd be able to dedicate about 20-25 hours per week on the project, and that's being conservative.
Configuration: I decide what instruments, equipment and mods go on the airplane, instead of buying somebody elses airplane, always wanting to change this or that, but being such a pain in the ass to do...mostly because when you start changing little things, you inevitably discover other problems that need addressing in the process....do it right the first time!!
The "what-if's": What if "life" gets in the way and for whatever reason I have to abandon the project? I'm aware I won't get all of my investment back by selling the pieces, but would it be advisable to maximize my return by using certified parts to have a bigger market for the pieces??? Seems this would ad significant cost to the project....this is highly unlikely, just a part of my research.
To the people here that have done this, what are the problems you ran into? What can I expect? I know there's a hundred ways to skin a cat, but any advice is appreciated! I've been lurking here awhile now and have read through hundreds of posts trying to answer these questions, just wanted to throw my own post in the mix to personalize it...so to speak.
I just read a post about a building seminar in Graham, TX that I would also be really interested in attending. I think this would be a great inspiration for a project of my own, or a big help if I decide to start a project prior to the seminar!
Thanks for any advice!!
Aaron