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--------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jan E Zanutto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [email protected] Date: Tue, 8 Oct 2002 21:58:16 -0700 Subject: Re: [COUPERS-TECH] RE: Digest list: Ercoupe Technical discussion (moderated) Hello David, glad you bought a coupe, and I hope it brings you many years of flying adventure. I have been on the list since around 1998, when I bought my first coupe, I am on my third now........I have completely restored one, and bought 2 others. It's a great plane, but let me offer my own observation on the subject of owner maintenance. I too am an A&P instructor, and IA, and a Designated Mechanic's Examiner- I just got back from Anaheim attending the renewal seminar. I have a Bachelor's degree also, and I am published. If you read many of the coupers postings they do include "my mech says",. or "my IA says...." I know many of these guys personally and they know their airplanes inside and out- better than just about any A&P. They fly with their wives, children, and grandchildren in their coupes and they all have that in mind.Can they legally do work without supervision by an A&P- no, absolutely not. But they do anyway, and I will tell you why from my own first-hand observations. The aircraft maintenance business is where the auto maintenance business was, back in the 70's. Most GA mechanics (I am one, plus I have airline experience) are dishonest, greedy crooks. They quote the owner one price, then drag the plane into the hangar and when it emerges, it is several hundred or even several thousand more than the original quote- the work is frequently done without the owner's consent. Just 2 weeks ago, my first coupe that I owned, and sold was annualed by a "nameless" shop here in Fresno here- they charged the guy 4000.00 (yes, four thousand dollars) for a piss-poor annual and the damn thing crashed on the first flight because BCH didnt see that the fuel pump wasnt working. (yes the pilot has responsibility too). One of my ex-student graduates opened up a shop here locally, she is trying to make a start for herself. The same guys, at the same company told her not to work so hard, or care so much. They told her to just pull a plane in for an annual, close the hangar doors for 3 days then push it out and collect the check. Another local crook charged a guy 6000.00 (YES, SIX THOUSAND UNSCRUPULOUS DOLLARS) to do nothing more than paint the fuselage of a fabric- covered tri-pacer. I can supply many more examples, but I wont. It's no wonder that any aircraft owner takes his/her maintenance into their own hands. I would too if I werent already an A&P. These guys know their planes. Yes there have been some odd postings in the past about automotive parts on aircraft- that's not right and I wouldnt condone it. But the A&P industry has a long way to go to regain the trust and respect of aircraft owners. Until there is change, it will remain just like it is.... Beside teaching the basics of the A&P curriculum, I always tell my students to have integrity, be honest and not try to become rich off each customer. Sorry Dave, my personal feelings are starting to surface and I best stop now....... By the way, I had a great time at the Salinas airshow and got to meet Wayne and Audean. What a wonderful couple, what a tribute to coupe ownership, and especially their interest in the public with their cute little yellow T-6 pedal plane. They would let spectator's kids sit in it and have their picture taken. Their coupe drew a LOT of interest- I got the final word though; when the show was over I departed Salinas on a right cross-wind right over the entire airshow croud. They got to see a coupe in flight about 15 minutes after the Blue Angels peformed. I had to turn early because I had a P-51 and a B-25 on my butt....... Jan Z Fresno, CA ================================================================== TO UNSUBSCRIBE go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm
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