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Hi All
I'm just starting my plans build on a Companion, literally only 40ish hours in. I've completed all the form/cut blocks I will need for the ribs and formed wing components. Through a coworker of mine, he connected me with a local AME (A&P in the US) at a maintenance and repair facility at our local airport here. I reached out and was able to get a tour of the shop, asked a bunch of questions, and was blown away by the work done by the staff, the caliber of airplanes they work on, and the friendly reception I received by all the staff, as the mere hobbyist builder that I am. It's not every day you get to crawl around inside a De Havilland Otter being restoring from a crashed parts.
Anyway, in making this connection, and new friendships, these fine gentlemen have offered access to their 10' bending brake, 12' foot aluminum shear, other unique(expensive) tools, and all the knowledge these men have made over their careers. I came home Friday with a truckload of 2024-T3 aluminum off-cuts, more than enough for all the formed wing components for the Companion, total cost, $420 (would have cost me over $1200 from AC Spruce).This was material they may not have used anytime soon, and the owner was happy to see it out of the shop. If I need full sheets, I can add to their orders, and I'll save the shipping costs.. When I'm ready for spars, they will assist in the bending.
My intent is not to brag, but to tell you all, swing by your local airport, research local maintenance shops, especially ones that do structural sheet metal work. You'd be amazed how far a couple boxes of donuts or a case or two of beer will go in making new friends and connections.
I'm just starting my plans build on a Companion, literally only 40ish hours in. I've completed all the form/cut blocks I will need for the ribs and formed wing components. Through a coworker of mine, he connected me with a local AME (A&P in the US) at a maintenance and repair facility at our local airport here. I reached out and was able to get a tour of the shop, asked a bunch of questions, and was blown away by the work done by the staff, the caliber of airplanes they work on, and the friendly reception I received by all the staff, as the mere hobbyist builder that I am. It's not every day you get to crawl around inside a De Havilland Otter being restoring from a crashed parts.
Anyway, in making this connection, and new friendships, these fine gentlemen have offered access to their 10' bending brake, 12' foot aluminum shear, other unique(expensive) tools, and all the knowledge these men have made over their careers. I came home Friday with a truckload of 2024-T3 aluminum off-cuts, more than enough for all the formed wing components for the Companion, total cost, $420 (would have cost me over $1200 from AC Spruce).This was material they may not have used anytime soon, and the owner was happy to see it out of the shop. If I need full sheets, I can add to their orders, and I'll save the shipping costs.. When I'm ready for spars, they will assist in the bending.
My intent is not to brag, but to tell you all, swing by your local airport, research local maintenance shops, especially ones that do structural sheet metal work. You'd be amazed how far a couple boxes of donuts or a case or two of beer will go in making new friends and connections.
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