7AC Fuselage Fixture

[bsafran]

Everyone in aviation is always waiting for the "found in a barn" gem that has been hidden for years and is a great bargain for the smart investor. My "gem" moment was when I discovered there was a fixture out there that made precise repairs to 7AC Champ fuselages possible. I jumped at the chance and was revitalized when I was able to help the Aeronca community by starting a small repair business that saved severely damaged Champs.

Well, as with everything in life, times have changed and I can no longer devote the time and effort that is needed to repair the 7AC fuselages that are desperately in need. I need to turn the business over to someone new. My first thought was to find someone younger who could carry on where I could not, but I found that the new breed of aviator has little interest in our taildragger lifestyle. I put the jig up for sale and could not bring myself to part with it to someone who didn't embrace supporting the Aeronca community like I did. What to do? Do I sell it to whomever writes a check or do I try and save this wonderful piece of engineering? I have had several offers to buy the jig and move it overseas. That just didn't make sense to me. How many Champs are out of America and how can the repair of the majority of them be best served by an out of the country provider? It made me think back to a time when one of the NAA website founders had fallen on hard times. Aviation is a very lucrative, but unstable business and his 15AC Sedan needed tubes and tires. He had done everything for free to help the NAA community and I thought it was time to return the favor.

I posted on the website to have people who cared to contribute to help this gentleman out and I was overwhelmed at the response. The Aeronca family donated the exact amount needed to purchase the parts and deliver them to Arizona. I have decided to try that process again, unfortunately on a larger scale. This one of a kind fuselage jig is irreplaceable and needs to stay within the grasp of an organization that recognizes its importance and will make it available to all future enthusiasts. I have looked at what I have invested in this fixture and divided it by the number of NAA members listed on the website. If every member would donate $8.90 I would receive back what I have put into purchasing and upgrading the jig and it would guarantee the fixture would be available to all Champ rebuilders for all time forward.

I believe the best place for this fuselage jig is with the NAA and I hope that their members will band together to make this happen. I think it would be fitting to have the fixture move into the NAA's hands at the upcoming fly in at Middletown. Do all of you agree?

[Richard Murray]

Brian,

Great idea. I am sending $100 via PayPal to ?

Oops I thought I had your email in my contacts list, but find I do not.

My hangar at CQA is big enough to share space if you want a place to house it and for people to use with a welder available (gas and tig). Perhaps a discussion can begin at Middletown to keep it there.

[BILL SEE]

Great Idea Brian, i am in!

[Carl Prather]

I'm in, too. Carl Prather

[Carl Prather]

I'm in, too. Carl Prather

[joea]

Brian,

Count me in for $100.

This needs to be saved and should be in our hands for everyone to use!

Joe Abrahamson

[Jerry Jackson]

I'll put $100 in for it.

Jerry Jackson
San Antonio

[Carl Prather]

I was 10 x $8.90 but I just can't let Joe out do me!
So, I match his $100 with my very own Benjamin.

Carl

[Richard Murray]

Here is a spreadsheet to keep track of pledged contributions from interested donors.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing

[skot7ac]

Count me in for $250.

Scott Johnson