Friends,
As you know, I love my Ercoupe. She's an impressive old bird with lots of
personality and I have enjoyed every minute of owning her so far. Now to the
"but..." part: I have to keep her in a T-hangar and our airport is rampant with
wrens and swallows who are very good at finding whatever hole on the airplane
to build nests. I've torn at least four out of the top of my engine so far.
One was rebuilt within a day. I had to remove the cowling to get to it and I
am not a mechanic in any sense of the word. Further, I am physically disabled
and my fine motor skills are beginning to be eroded because of the disease I
suffer with. I finally went and bought two of those blue tarps along with
several bungee cords to secure them on the front of the aircraft--top and
bottom/front and back of the cowling. This seems to have worked but it has its
drawbacks. I cannot attach the two tarps alone since I cannot kneel down and I
do not have a significant other, a friend who flys with me, etc. The line guys
have been great about pulling the plane out for me and tieing it down when I'm
fininshed flying, but the tarp thing is outside of their duties and I hate to
ask them to do it for me.
Since I'm on a fixed income, I cannot afford to put the old girl into a
closed hangar nor can I afford $65 an hour to have one of the mechanics remove
the cowling and extract nests built there, thus the T-hangar is the extent of
my recreation money for any given month. This plane was a gift to me and I own
it outright. From the first day I flew it I knew I was hooked. I was afraid
I'd never be able to fly again, but the Ercoupe provided me with that option
and I have been really happy with it. I cannot, however, have a plane just
sitting at the airport unused. It makes no sense to me economically. I don't
want to sell it as it is one of the last things I have that makes me feel
somewhat "normal."
What I'm asking for is suggestions on how to properly secure it from birds
that may be easier than the tarps and something I can handle on my own. Or,
perhaps, I'm just not willing to face reality and surrender ownership of
N415CB. Don't know. I'm 56, and only about five IQ points off being Forrest
Gump ;^), but I know what I like, and I like my Ercoupe. So, ideas or
suggestions or reality checks are all welcome. Thanks for taking the time to
read this.
Respectfully,
Carl LaVon
N415CB '46 ERCO 415C
KJVY
