[COUPERS] "Paper Annuals"

[Mary Corrington]

----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- Ok folks,  Just to clear the air a little... I am going to explain WHY I got on my soapbox!  I purchased my bird in May of '99.  I was a new pilot, frustrated with the hassles of rental aircraft, and very eager to fly.  And yes, I knew very little about aircraft, at least the mechanics of them. So I was ripe for the picking.  It was recommended to me that the Ercoupe was an affordable bird and so I went looking.  I found what I thought was a very clean airplane with low hours and in good shape.  The plane was out of annual.  The owner said I could have a discount of $500. if I had it annualed. I said no, you do it and so he did. I bought it right after that.  I flew the plane for a year and it annualed this spring. I had already had my AI/A&P fix a very leaky fuel pump that was running fuel all over the front of the engine. This was discovered the first week I had her. I also found pieces of metal coming out from under the back of the prop. My entire intake area was falling apart. Also the engine and entire area under the cowling was covered with old oil when I brought it home..There were other minor problems that I discovered and each time I had them fixed. I added an oil filter to the plane so I could change my own oil easier..  During my annual we discovered a cracked exhaust system ......good old Carbon Monoxide into the cockpit time, a cracked prop backing plate, electrical wiring wrapped around control cables and at least 28 other squawks of varying degrees of severity. I had 2 cylinders that were worn so thin with corrosion that the exhaust system gaskets could not seal to them.  And this plane was signed off as airworthy before I bought it!  I am not a "wealthy person". I could sorely afford the new cylinders, and the huge expense repairing this plane to be airworthy again.  All I wanted was to fly. I very definitely got in over my head,  but what was I to do when all those problems surfaced at once? I fixed them!  My life is worth more than the few dollars I might save by ignoring something that could escalate into a life threatening problem. And I want to fly more than most anything. But the most important thing is to fly as safely as I can.  So when I hear of someone that wants to 'get around' the system.....well, you can see why I got upset.  The last person that did that to me....Well, I am paying for it. Thank GOD it is not with my life! Mary   __________________________________________________ To unsubscribe from this list please send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics