New Aeronca owner

[vintageair]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and about to be the new owner of an old Champ. It's actually not an Aeronca but a '58 Champion 7FC. It's not exactly a peach but it's in pretty decent shape and I got it for, what I consider, a decent price. The idea was to get a 'flyable' project as I am in the middle of a Luscombe restoration right now and with working a full time job I know it's going to be a year or two before I can get it together. So I wanted something I could fly and something that I would want to do a restoration on after finishing the Luscombe.

Anyway, on to the details: 1958 7FC with a C90-12F. It was converted to conventional gear back in the 70's and had Milman spars installed back in 2001. The engine is pretty run out, I've yet to determine just how much - this leads to the first of probably many questions to come.

I have a freshly overhauled C85-12F sitting on a stand for the Luscombe. There is a 337 in the aircraft paperwork, back around 1959 when a C85-12F was installed on the aircraft. I'm not sure why that was done, it was only temporary but I'm wondering if it would be feasible for me to hang my C85 on the Champ while I rebuild the C90. I know there are no Champs in the TCDS with C85-12's, only -8's. I guess it really boils down to what the local FSDO guys decide but I've heard it's darn near impossible to get field approvals these days and unfortunately the 337 I have doesn't fall before the magical 1955 date.

Well, that's one question, just putting out here for comments, thoughts, opinions - whatever. I'm excited about the plane and looking forward to becoming part of this group.

My Luscombe project can be seen at: http://vintageair.net/

[joea]

Good to have you on the group, and sorry it took so long to get you on-line. We have been having spammer problems and its causing major problems.

Have you talked with your local FSDO or IA? Depends on where you are and how friendly the FSDO is, but frankly do not see a major problem in making the switch as long as your FAA guys are workable.

Joe A

[vintageair]

Thanks Joe

I haven't talked to the FSDO guys yet, I won't even have the airplane until next week so it remains to be seen what the real condition of the motor is. My 'plan A' is to clean it up, do a little maintenance and fly it while I finish the Luscombe. The idea of hanging the C85 on it is just one of those contingency plans mulling around in my head. I'm an IA, I also work with Paul Agaliotis - who has been a tremendous resource. In fact, from way back when I first started flying in 1969 I've always been a 'Cub person' but Paul has been instrumental in helping me see the light.

Anyway, the adventure starts next week and it will be documented on my web-log so I'll share it with all of you.

Again, thanks for the welcome

[joea]

Paul should be a big help with this. Believe he has good contacts with the feds.

[vintageair]

GOOD contacts with feds or contacts with GOOD feds? (ha, ha) Just joking, in this field of dealing with classic and antique aircraft we are all resources in our own right. We need to stick together and keep the fading ember lit. AOPA may look like a big bureaucratic entity but it's the best thing we have going and we should all be $35/yr members even if we don't read the magazine or use the website. EAA is another even if you never want to go to Oshkosh. They serve a power in our interests - which are wide and varied.

The recent incident over the Hudson and the media reaction points this out. There are cries and calls to put a cease to any sort of uncontrolled flight and we all know that uncontrolled flight (that of the sort where no person upon the ground has anything to say about it whatsoever) is really what it's all about.

I have more to say but I'll save it.

[Nathan K. Hammond]

I think, so don't hold me to it, since the engine was once approved by 337 to your make/model/s-n; you can use that as approved data. So it's a log book entry to swap the motor, by citing the previous 337.

By the way; AWESOME website! I spent about half a day looking at all the pics and projects. Welcome to the NAA!

nkh

[jkvincent]

Vintageair, GREAT Luscombe Wesite, really nice.
Welcome to AERONCA ownership. I'm certain you'll find Aeronca owners very generous
with knowledge, information and drawings, all-in-all ...a good place to visit.
Jim

[MikeB]

I did a little flying a couple years ago in a 1959 Luscomb in Texas. I thought it was a great plane, fairly fast and comfortable.
MikeB