Most birds are scared (as am I) of big snakes, only I'm referring to the rubber variety. Maybe draped over the cowling, or lurking around the front gear. It would certainly scare the poop out of me!......Woody N94176
--- On Tue, 4/21/09, carl_lavon <[email protected]> wrote: From: carl_lavon <[email protected]> Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Re: Would you like some cheese with that whine? To: [email protected] Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 4:39 PM Thanks for the many suggestions. I actually considered buying the plugs but it was pointed out by someone else that they would not be sufficient because the birds would use the rear opening around the cowling for access or use the nose gear to get in. I've actually watched birds getting into one of my neighbor's plane's nose gear to build nests. He has plugs on his aircraft that one would normally expect to slow them down (his is not an Ercoupe). There is already a plastic owl hanging near my plane that was put up by the neighbor whose plane I watched the birds getting into the nose gear. One suggestion I got from a member was the use of an electronic device that mice and birds can't tolerate and his recommendation to get one as he uses it and has had great success with it. I do have electric available so I could plug one of those in. The airport would not allow me to use any type of chemical that had a "smell" that other pilot-renters might find objectionable. Nor would they allow me to keep a cat on a leash as one board member suggested. I wouldn't do that anyway since cats have a tendency to revert back to their natural "wild" state when left to themselves and without constant human contact. So, I'm going to find the electronic system and try it and I will keep the board updated. I will probably also get an owl model of some type that can be perched on my prop as a back up. Most of all let me just say thank you to the board for your caring and your suggestions. It means a great deal to me to have this tool as an adjunct to all the manuals and paperwork that go with Ercoupe ownership. Carl LaVon --- In ercoupe-tech@ yahoogroups. com, "carl_lavon" <profedihmc@ ...> wrote: > > 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 >
