"Trent D. Sanders" wrote:

Do any of you guys out there that have Aeronca experience have any
tips or suggestions on what to look for [other than the usual stuff]
in a pre-purchase for an Aeronca. Any significant AD's, etc. The
last Aeronca I had was in 1961, an L-3, that I paid $300 for!

7AC
- wing attach fittings... no cracks or corrosion
- landing gear attach fittings
- does it sit wings level on the ground?
- no corrosion in the wing struts
- oleos don't leak
- tailwheel springs tight
- tailwheel wheel bearings tight
- stick play
- fuel shutoff guard and tight
- heat shrouds... no corrosion or cracks
- exhaust stacks...no corrosion or cracks
- fuel sump... glass or metal? (they can be difficult to seat properly,
you may break a couple glass ones before you get one on right)
- shielded mags
- fuel consumption 3.5 to 4 gph
- autofuel STC
- one-time wing spar AD complied with
- tail drag wires proper tension
- fuel guage doesn't leak
- rigging (does it fly straight and level)
- tubing from pitot to airspeed indicator new (no leaks)
- screws in wing fairings all same size and guage; tight
- no cracks in fairing screw holes
- hinges lubricated
- access panels on lower fuselage (check under the floorboards with
having to remove seats and floorboards)
- mechanical brakes (condition of pucks; cables properly routed through
pulleys, no broken strands; correct adjustment)
- date of last recovering (particularly, tail feathers...rust never
sleeps; fabric has been known to hide lots of corrosion)
- fabric condition... punch test
- type of paint (dope, imron, ???)
- type of fabric and weight (Stitts, ???)