Re: [COUPERS-TECH] Header Fuel Tank AD 55-22-02, part 2

[Hartmut Beil]

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Yes extrusions are used for all spar caps. In the center and the wings. I know there are companies in LA that can produce the best aluminum extrusion for a reasonable price. I have no idea what the FAA certification process might cost, but my experience tells me that the management of Univair messed up here big time. Also why are these center spars now almost 10k when they had been produced a few years ago for 6-8 k and sit on the shelf since. I know. Univair uses a very expensive shelf system.

No I don't buy that Ed. I think a Company like Univair is having a responsibility as a TC holder.

What I see is that they add tremendously to the costs of flying.

 

Hartmut

----- Original Message -----

From: Ed Burkhead

To: 'Hartmut Beil' ; Ctech

Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 11:51 PM

Subject: RE: [COUPERS-TECH] Header Fuel Tank AD 55-22-02, part 2

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Hartmut wrote:

> How the heck do you explain the newly built 10k center spar?

> What are the costs involved?

>  

> They've got the jig, the steel and aluminum pieces you need

> are worth max. $250. Now add the costs for a worker that

> rivets the stuff together. 4 hours of work @ 100 bucks an

> hour, add costs for shipping and other expenses - a center

> spar should not cost more than 1500 Dollars to produce.

> I really would like to know where the costs factor comes in

> here. What is up with this company? I am having the feeling

> they are overpricing us because some executives are

> working on their early retirement.

 

Hartmut,

 

ERCO’s business was in making fancy automated aircraft metal fabrication tools.

 

I don’t know that they used any Ercoupe specific tools to make the spar caps.  I suspect they might have just used some of their other shop equipment to make those spar caps.  Those tools may not have been sold along with the other Ercoupe specific tools and jigs.

 

This is based on a 10-15 year old memory that’s pretty vague:  I think I’ve heard it mentioned that the problem with making new spars is that there are no tools available to Univair to make those spar caps (weren’t they extrusions?).  They’d have to contract with some aviation supply company, get samples made, get them certified then get the production run.

 

The total cost may be several times what seems “reasonable” if this is true.

 

Up to now, hasn’t there been a big enough supply of good, salvaged spars to take care of the demand?

 

Ed

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