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-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] How does installing a stainless panel on the top foreward fuselage relate to allowing increased gross weight? The other mods make sense but the panel doesn't. Converting from a C to D or above should be aproved without the stainless panel. Mike, I can surely sympathize with your thought. However, the question isn't why the stainless steel panel IS required on the 415-D. The question is how did all those 415-C people get away with them not requiring as an AD that they replace the aluminum panel on their planes. The stainless steel panel was clearly required under the existing rules when the 415-C was certified. However, when they looked at such stuff, Fred Weick's team was flying the plane with a different cowl. With the earlier cowl, a possible fire wouldn't be contained and concentrated on the panel above the fuel tank. They COULD have required retrofit when they discovered the mistake, I suppose. They let it pass because they weren't seeing a rash of 415-C models falling out of the air. Even now, after 55+ years, I don't know of an instance of melt-through of that panel from in-flight fire. But it WAS and IS the rule that the "firewall" be stainless steel. Ed Burkhead N3802H, Ercoupe 415-D Peoria, IL __________________________________________________ To unsubscribe from this list please send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiLm.aVzvvT Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Learn More. Surf Less. Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose. http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01 ==^================================================================
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