National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

If your airplane came with a air filter, and you change to an approved filter....that is a MINOR MODIFICATION......NOT A MAJOR MODIFICAQTION.

There are IA's, Machanics, and yes even the FAA that does not fully understand the difference between the two. Even if you go to several different FSDO's they can not agree...but they all have the same BOOKS!

You will find mechanics that will disagree over spit on the pavement. If you work with YOUR mechanic / IA, and it pleases them then don't worry about what the JONES ARE DOING!

Remember, when we have an air traffic controller that transfers into the FAA as an Airworthness INSPECTOR with NO prev. experence.......YOU are going to have problems. And problems we have, they don't know squat about tube and fabric A/C...not even required for A&P's any more.

I am sure I have rubbed someone the wrong way....maybe it will help to turn ON the light bulb.

Well, I finally got this thing resolved. It has been a very long time since I worked with these filters and it took some studying and help from Brackett to figure it all out.

Brackett says my filter frame is an original BA2-849 which appears to be a bit thinner than the original filter.

The interesting part is that my filter assembly was installed backwards!! That's the reason there was no screen at the rear.

I think that the restorer bought a new air box and the filter frame wouldn't fit so he reversed it to make it fit. The problem was the weld bead at the frame corners. I filed these beads down so they fit, but just barely.

Not only was the frame reversed but the lock nuts on the screws that held it together were also reversed? Never did figure that one out.

Brackett sent me a nice new grill for the front and now all is well and safe. I sure spent a lot of time on such a seemingly simple thing but at least now I don't have to worry about the element getting sucked into the carb.

It amazes me how many IAs passed this thing, the most recent one even installed the new element?

Hi Gus glad to hear you got it figured out, sounds like your good to go now. It is truely amazing that an A&P / IA would not notice that, kind of makes you wonder what they did look at (not being smart as I am an A&P, use to be IA)

Regarding the AD - originally the rear screens in bracket filters were aluminum...the AD required they be replaced with steel.

There is no brackett filter currently approved for the Champs and Chiefs using the original Aeronca airbox... just the Airmaze unit.

Many years ago brackett sold a kit to modify the frame of an airmaze filter to accept a BA4108 foam element. Using this filter required a field approval. I am currently applying for such an approval to use a modified airmaze frame / brackett filter on my C85 equipped champ.

Tim