Alon Aircoupe / Ercoupe advise wanted
Hi all,
I recently sold my Beech Sundowner because the fixed costs were too
high to justify. Beautiful airplane and I miss her! The plan was to
just rent for awhile, but that's quickly growing old. I've been
toying with the idea of buying a later model Alon Aircoupe for local
fun flying. I can handle the slow speed and low useable weight but am
concerned about the cost to keep it flying.
I'm hoping the Ercoupe experts out there can offer some guidance.
For the sake of discussion assume I am looking at a 1966 or 1967 Alon
Aircoupe, all metal with C-90 engine. A bit of web research has turned
up some onerous Service Bulletins and Airworthiness Directives that
concern me. The ones that are making me shy away a
SB-32 - Wing center section ultrasonic inspection
AD2002-26-02 & SB-31 - Center section corrosion and inspection panels
SB-29-C - Outer wing panel removal and inspection panel installation
SB-18 - Center section Belly skin (may not apply but no date on SB)
From what I can determine all were published from 1999 to 2006. There
may also be more out there that I have not found on a web search.
I'm trying to figure out what it would cost me if I had to have these
SBs and ADs performed. I have to make the assumption that corrosion
would not be found, recognizing that if it is the cost to repair is an
unknown.
Buying a lower-cost to own, fly and maintain aircraft is enticing but
the costs could quickly skyrocket based on what I have read. Yep -
I'm scaring myself! Any information about the cost of compliance with
each of the above would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
PS: I know I used both "Ercoupe" and "Aircoupe" throughout.
Trying to grab a bigger bite of web searchers!
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