National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

I saw on the net a pair of 7AC wings finished thru the silver, with new spars. I can't locate the web site now. Anyone direct me the right way?? Thanks. Think they were in Texas. H Lee Berrier NC

They are on Ebay right now.

In my opinion $8000 for a pair is a pretty fair price considering. labor, new spars, leading edge and covering through silver. I think someone inquired once about installing fuel tanks (like Wag Aero type) and he would also install them. I'm assuming they repair the ribs that are 'repairable'. Down side is the distance to travel to haul them back unless you happen to be in the Texas area.

Mike Berg

Another thing to consider is...will they "bolt up".
Joe recently had a post about someone who had to "jury-rig" an attachment to get the wings to fit.
I know someone who had to "beat-the-hell" out of it to make it fit.
a 32th or two (in or out) can make all the difference. Just somethin' to think about.
Jim

Jim,

The airplane I talked about is in the Ozarks and is a Chief that was for sale on Barnstormers up until a few weeks ago. One of our fAA list members went to look at it and as he is an experienced antique airplane person started asking lots of questions.

When they got to the situation of the wing attach point being "jury rigged" he was told that it was fine. When he mentioned that his IA would not like the wing mount not fitting in the factory manner he was told "get another IA" to work with.

Frankly this scares me and to see these yokels still selling what I consider to be an unsafe airplane is rediculous. Personally I would love to find a way to send an FAA inspector over to look at the airplane. Just do not want to see anyone lose their life in the airplane.

Joe

I bought a set of wings from BJ back in December 2007. I shipped him my gas tanks and he put them in. He also took photos of the work as he completed stages and delivered them within a couple of hours from the house.

He also gave me a handful of refrences to call to inquire about the wings that he had built for others. All were completely satisfied.

I went this way initally because I thought that the wings were the only thing I was going to need to do inorder to get my L16 back in the air.

After careful review I decided that it would be hard to put new wings on the plane without recovering the other parts....... Well, just over a year since I started this affair, she still sits in the garage. I am making progress and I am bound and determined to be at Middletown 2010 with this baby!!!

My advice, call BJ and talk to him. He seems to be a straight up guy. He said that he will repair the ribs or replace them with new/serviceable ones. The spars become firewood on all wings he receives. He reuses the main hardware but puts new leading edges and trailing edges. He even ran wire and put light attachment plates on my wingtip bows for me.

If you need his phone number, email me and I can get it for you.
Jeff

The only point I was try to make is that spars from Wag Aero run about $660 each (times four) leading edge runs around $235 per wing, not to mention ribs that need repair or replacement and covering labor and material. So when you add it all up, his price doesn't seem out of line to me. I'm sure I've got 100 hours just rebuilding one wing (so far) on my L16 with disassembly, inspection, bead cleaning, painting, reassembly and lots of thinking considering this is my first wing.

Of course if you make your own spars, leading edge, etc. the cost is less but the labor/time is more.

Mike Berg

Jeff,

We need pictures of the restoration!!!

Joe

I'll post a few soon. I'm too busy cleaning little parts and painting them. Not a lot of stuff assembled at this time....

Mr. Llyod will most likely be at TBO on his 16B project before I get mine in the air.....

Jeff,

BTW, just receved an email from someone asking me to ask you to pls check your PM's. Evidently someone has been messaging you and has not received a reply.

If you want a copy of the email he sent me, pls advise.

Thx,

Joe

PS now looks like Lance has hired the guy to pick up my Chief on the 28th. Thanks for your help with this!

Jeff, you still have a chance with Lloyd. His help is holding him back. Kinda makes you wonder about his choice of friends! David J.