Restoration Milestone
The PA-22 Restoration reached a milestone yesterday (Saturday November 14th) with the installation of the first leading-edge surface of the first wing re-assembly. With the fuel tank installed, the landing light being being re-configured and re-assembled (nice job Bob!), the wing is nearing completion, ready for covering in the spring. With all the lessons-learned in this wing restoration the assembly and preparation of the second wing should be completed faster….not that we’re in a rush. We made this aircraft purchase a project to give members an opportunity to see how restoration happens, to learn new skills and new experiences and to have fun doing it! This was all evident yesterday as it was demonstrated how to roll the aluminum wing surfaces, use drilling tools and techniques, precision in measuring and marking etc etc.All part of an active morning at the chapter. As a reminder, the restoration team gets together Wednesday evening and Saturday mornings. It’s been good to have more members have been getting involved in recent weeks, or just dropping in to encourage the team. With the cold and dark winter months ahead why not consider joining us? Coffee and the occasional donut are on-hand to sustain the team and visitors. We’ll see you there. MP. Read More →
Busy Day at the Chapter Hangar
Team Work! A strong contingent - our largest to date - were on-hand today to contribute to the work on the PA-22 Restoration Project, and to assist Glenn in fitting his beautiful new propellor to the Lancair. It was a very successful day in many ways, great teamwork, great progress….what a Chapter is all about. Wing Men! Propellor Heads! Read More →
Tank Prep - Restoration Project
A productive day at the Chapter Hangar as membership group got down to preparing the two wing tanks, stripping them ready for a light coating of primer. Bob also made great progress on the door panel. Steady progress all-round, and good team-work - a Chapter 240 hallmark! Tank Team in-action! ] Done! Door Panel being stripped Read More →
Restoration Project - Painting for Beginners!
Several Chapter members had expressed interest in learning or practicing spray-painting. The PA-22 Restoration team held over the painting until the combination of the right weather and the right date. Saturday was it! The new PA-22 wing parts were prepared, cleaned and laid out for optimum coverage. Other parts were readied too, including some for Chuck’s airplane. Under the guidance of leaders John, Shaw and Chuck novices (like me) took to the spray-guns. Very soon we had a good feel for the best way to coat lightly and effectively (this was primer after all!). With a brief interruption for lunch (Capriotti’s subs, and chili dogs - thanks Gary!) we had the work completed early in the afternoon. It was a very productive morning, great fun, great team-work and just what we intended the Restoration Project to do for the Chapter - bring us together as a team, learning or developing skills and having fun in the process. More on the Restoration Project in our Blog - here Like to see more EAA Chapter 240 video’s? - try here Read More →
A Puzzle …. and a Decision!
A Restoration Project puzzle this past week. Differences in the PA-22 wings became apparent to the restoration team when the two wings were brought together. One wing is a PA-20 version and has had more ribs than the other!Also, spar repairs are evident that, while at one time in its life were ok, are just not up-to-snuff anymore and certainly not for the quality of the work and of the final product that Chapter 240 needs! Rib repairs are typical and certainly no surprise for an aircraft of this vintage and several will need replacing, though some can be repaired. So, the restoration leadership group considered options and the best way forward, and opted to recommend to the Board that we buy and replace spars and ribs where necessary. We’ll order new spars and ribs and while these are an expense ($3,000-ish) they are crucial and will give us a much better wing and airplane. The purchase, if approved by the Board, will account for about a third of the allocated budget for this year. The unairworthy spars and ribs will be assembled and can be used to practice all the fabric finishing skills required to provide a outstanding fabric finish to our project. In addition, various other tasks are underway; ~ Carl is renovating the side window ~ Tim is working on the the wheels ~ Chuck has finished the control equipment A list is being developed providing all the little detail projects that can be accomplished by individuals at their home or at the hanger. When the list is completed, we will present it at Chapter meeting and look for volunteers to take the restoration work on. We would like to have as many interested members as possible take part in this restoration. We need volunteers, and is a great learning experience for all that love aircraft in general but hold a special place in their hearts for the old steel tube and fabric aircraft of the past. Update - The recommendation to purchase the spars and ribs was approved at last evenings Board meeting (4-2-09), and the parts have been ordered. Chuck Read More →
PA 22 Restoration Photos
Bringing the PA-22 to the EAA Chapter Hangar
This 5-minute video shows EAA Chapter 240 members brining the Piper PA-22 from New Jersey to the Chapter Hangar, for restoration. Read More →
Aircraft Restoration Project
April 2008 - Purchase of the PA-22 At a specially convened Board meeting on April 18th 2008 and following supportive emails from the Membership, the attending Board members discussed and unanimously approved the proposed expenditure of $6,500 as the purchase price of the 1959 PA-22 Piper Tri-Pacer. We beleive the aircraft will be a major assett to the Chapter, providing a restoration project opportunity in which members can practice and develop aicraft-building skills, under the guidance of experienced builders and IA’s. John Leslie has agreed to coordinate the effort and equipment to get the PA-22 to the EAA240 Chapter hangar in the coming weeks. During that period we will form the Project Oversight Group, with nominated leaders who will rotate every three months, with one who will provide detailed project management (priorities, assignments, expenditures, etc). All expenditures will be carefully managed and will require Board pre-approval. Pacer N2889Z, purchased by the Chapter, with owner Bob (right) and chapter member Paul (left) Getting the PA-22 to the Chapter Hangar Read More →