New Champ owner

[bpence]

I originally posted this under the Chief section by mistake so let me try again.

Hello everyone! I just wanted to introduce myself to the board. I am a proud new owner of a 1946 7AC Champ (N97KR). She's in great shape, though, she is completely disassembled. The previous owner tore her down to rebuild her, bought a 140, then never got back around to redoing the Champ before he passed. The engine (an A65-8F) was pickled and had dessicant plugs installed when he stored it, so I'm hopeful that just an inspection is all that will be required, but who knows, a whole overhaul could be in store. All the parts and pieces are there along with an entire tote full of brand new hardware and cables from Aircraft Spruce. I'm currently deployed but I plan on picking her up when I return next week. She's currently in Ponder, TX and I will be moving her to Abilene, TX where I hope in 6 months or so she will be returning to the clear blue (although perpetually windy) West Texas skies. I hope I can draw on the wealth of knowledge on this board during the rebuild process. If any of you are in the Abilene area and want to stop by, I always am willing to talk airplanes over the $100 hamburger, so look me up!

I look forward to getting to know you guys and gals. If anyone is going to be at Sun N Fun, let me know. I'll be there the entire week and would love to meet some fellow Aeronca enthusiats.

Take care!

Brian Pence
Abilene

[joea]

Brian,

Glad to see you posting! Sorry about its having to be approved, have no idea whats causing that.

Take care,

Joe A

[bpence]

No problem! I'm just happy to be around! Can't wait to dig into this project. Just reserved the rental truck to go pick up the plane on the 27th!

[Richard Murray]

Hey Brian I welcomed you under your other post. Don't raise the hopes of the Cheap owners with the promise of another rising from the dead :

[bpence]

Richard,

I will get their hopes up and mine too! This will be my first plane and I have my fiance and her 11yo son completely excited about helping rebuild this. I can't think of a better way to get him excited about flight than to help build something he will get to go flying in when it's finished. I know my prediction of 6 months may be a bit fast, but I think its doable. We will see. I just know I can't wait to go zooming around the skies at a blazing 80 knots!

Brian

[bpence]

Richard,

I will get their hopes up and mine too! This will be my first plane and I have my fiance and her 11yo son completely excited about helping rebuild this. I can't think of a better way to get him excited about flight than to help build something he will get to go flying in when it's finished. I know my prediction of 6 months may be a bit fast, but I think its doable. We will see. I just know I can't wait to go zooming around the skies at a blazing 80 knots!

Brian

[dikholder]

Brian:

got much of my training through GI Bill at Elmdale Airpark while stationed at Dyess AFB flying D model Buffs. Is Elmdale still open? It would be a fun place to fly your Aeronca from.

Dik Holder, N1441H
Queen of the Berry Patch

[sevenacjack]

welcome to windy abilene, if you don't like the weather, "wait a minute" i've done the 7ac champ restore thing, and will be glad to help/assist in any way i can. yes elmdale airpark is still here, and thriving, i live at a airpark approx. one mile east of there, we fly an assorted bunch of old taildraggers, but mostly champs. give me a call and i'll introduce you around. jack, 325 320 5951

[bpence]

Jack,

Wow you are close! That would be great if you could help out. I was planning on looking for someone at elmdale that has their IA to work with me, so if you or someone you know is one, that would be a huge weight lifted off of me. I have completed about half of my A&P but still don't have it all the way done yet. I did work aircraft maintenance for 6 Years in the air force before switching to a C-130 Flight Engineer, so I have a bit of experience with airplanes, just not the Champ.

I will be home in about a week or so and will definitely give you a call. What is the best times to catch you? As I mentioned I will be picking the plane up on the 27th, and I'd be happy to offer a cold beverage at a minimum if you wanted to help me look her over. I live right off of 351 on the way towards lake ft. Phantom. Thanks for the offer!

Brian

[sevenacjack]

Brian, the airpark that i'm located at is not far from highway 351, we have about five IA's in the area, i'm a A&P as are most of the guys that hang out around here, most likely will be smooth sailing there, if your champ parts are ok, i'm covering a Taylorcraft BC12D now, but am almost finished with the wings, then i'll do the fuselage over at elmdale airpark, acft got caught in a windstorm, bummer. i was a acft loadmaster on C-130s A,B,E, and H models as far back as i can remember, bet your on the new J's, nice, never even been close to one of those, if you need help picking up your champ in Ponder, tx, give us a call. jack

[bpence]

Jack, wow OK so sounds like there are plenty of good guys around. I may take you up on your offer. I'd be more than willing to buy lunch for the help. I've got a few extra seats in my dodge but right now all I have is me and my fiance for sure. The plan is to pick up the 26' truck in Denton, load up the plane in ponder, then unload it in my garage. I'm heading down to sun n fun on the 31st and plan on doing every workshop they have that has to do with the plane.

I do work with the J model 130s, but I'm an Intel troop now. They DQd me for depth perception after 1000 hours and three deployments with them. Funny thing is that I've never failed a depth perception since they did that. Oh well, what can you do.

I'd love to stop by and see your taylorcraft. Might be good since you're in the process of covering it. I'm just really glad there are some guys around with experience. This would be a real bear otherwise. Can't wait to get to work on it!

Take care!

Brian

[bpence]

For anyone who may be curious, here is a link to the planes pictures as it is. If anyone sees anything glaring let me know. I'll know plenty more after the 27th. I'm not sure which link to post so here are a coup!e to the library.

Brian

http://s73.photobucket.com/user/bpence310/library/

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s73.photobucket.com/user/bpence3 ... "></iframe>

[drjeff]

Brain,
Welcome to a new world of insanity! Congrats on the Champ. They are great aircraft. One word of caution. Don't have a baby during this restoration process....... it will only set you back a few years! I should know. My 2yr project has quickly become 5. (my baby boy turned 4 yesterday). There is tons of knowledge on this board with lots of great guys that will give you advice where you need it.
Enjoy,
Jeff
Chelsea, AL