I had no success with the electronic device so suggest you see if
someone has one
you can try before you buy.
I've found it is much easier to keep them away before they nest than
afterwards. That
won't help you this year; but some of the ideas you've gotten may
work next year. They
may choose a "more desirable plane than yours with the owl, rubber
snake, and plugs
with streamers. (I've had better luck with rubber snakes for the
Kansas swallows and
sparrows.)
Before you sell the plane, what about a partner (one with lots of
money who doesn't
like to fly much is best : > ).
Dan Caliendo
Ercoupe Mach 0.14
3658H
On Apr 21, 2009, at 3:39 PM, carl_lavon wrote:
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 [email protected], "carl_lavon" <profedi...@...>
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
>
