Hello,
I may be pulling the trigger so to speak on my first ever Piper J3 Cub...first ever airplane actually. The funny part is, I don't even have my sport license yet, so I guess I just want the kick-in-the-pants monetary investment to push me over the edge? ;D
I digress...
Anyways, the cub I'm looking at is for a splendid price. However, I don't want to borrow a friend to fly it back 400 miles, nor could I if I wanted to anyways, because it's due for an annual. So here's the question:
1.) How much of a pain in the butt is it to remove the wings / struts?
It would be for a double purpose, since a set of all-new sealed struts are included. I'm no slouch with a wrench either, I've been wrenching on small engines, motorcycles, cars, and trucks for the past 8 or 9 years. I've had my share of sleepless nights, rebuilding an engine in my basement at 2am because I didn't feel like doing anything else.
2.) Is there a maintenance manual you gentlemen suggest?
I'm looking to get certified to do my own annuals. I already do all my own periodic maintenance to my car, so why not an airplane too, eh?
In short, I'm looking to reduce the cost to a minimum. I have yet to look at insurance, but I found a local club to get my taildragger endorsement through. I'm not sure if they do sport pilot licensing as well. There's a grass strip near me that has extremely affordable hangar fees, although this J3 can sit in my carport until I finish licensing and maintenance on it.
The J3 in question is well-maintained, however, it has been sitting for some time. The owner died 10 years ago, and his widow has been sitting on it. She's been going over once in a while and turning the prop to keep a coat of oil spread on everything. She's finally ready to part ways with it, and isn't asking much.
So gents, what say ye?
I may be pulling the trigger so to speak on my first ever Piper J3 Cub...first ever airplane actually. The funny part is, I don't even have my sport license yet, so I guess I just want the kick-in-the-pants monetary investment to push me over the edge? ;D
I digress...
Anyways, the cub I'm looking at is for a splendid price. However, I don't want to borrow a friend to fly it back 400 miles, nor could I if I wanted to anyways, because it's due for an annual. So here's the question:
1.) How much of a pain in the butt is it to remove the wings / struts?
It would be for a double purpose, since a set of all-new sealed struts are included. I'm no slouch with a wrench either, I've been wrenching on small engines, motorcycles, cars, and trucks for the past 8 or 9 years. I've had my share of sleepless nights, rebuilding an engine in my basement at 2am because I didn't feel like doing anything else.
2.) Is there a maintenance manual you gentlemen suggest?
I'm looking to get certified to do my own annuals. I already do all my own periodic maintenance to my car, so why not an airplane too, eh?
In short, I'm looking to reduce the cost to a minimum. I have yet to look at insurance, but I found a local club to get my taildragger endorsement through. I'm not sure if they do sport pilot licensing as well. There's a grass strip near me that has extremely affordable hangar fees, although this J3 can sit in my carport until I finish licensing and maintenance on it.
The J3 in question is well-maintained, however, it has been sitting for some time. The owner died 10 years ago, and his widow has been sitting on it. She's been going over once in a while and turning the prop to keep a coat of oil spread on everything. She's finally ready to part ways with it, and isn't asking much.
So gents, what say ye?
