Carbon_copy wrote:
There is pretty much no legal way to make a new cowl under EASA.
What about an STC by a DOA holder?
I’ve heard that used Cessna 185 cowlings complete in good condition are worth more than $20k usd. They get smacked in every accident and can’t be got, or so they say. I found it hard to believe. A guy who restores C185’s in NZ told me. They would be the ones to build.
Yes, STC by DOA holder is possible, but probably will cost more than buying from OEM when all costs for a short or occasional production run are considered. Why does a new cowl cost €10K? Because it will be difficult for anyone else to produce one with paperwork any cheaper. Production cost is likely to be 1/3 that. I’m not defending the pricing policy, only suggesting a reason why the cost is so high.
If there is an existing functioning supplier, normally one prices a product at just below his, taking care to produce as good or better quality.
If there is no existing supplier, normally one prices a product for what the market will pay.
Cowlings get smashed in accidents so usually the insurance pays, and they don’t really care. When I had a prop strike in 2002, they paid out almost 2x more for a prop sourced from Socata Tarbes with a JAR-1 form, than for the same prop from the US with an 8130-3.
I guess that for an EASA reg the two routes would be
Doesn’t the manufacturing facility need to be 145 also?
For N-regs you would need one of the Major Alteration routes i.e
The last two would allow production and sales.
However for a one-off you would go the owner manufactured parts route, which is brilliant. I wonder whether a transfer to EASA-reg is ever possible afterwards? AIUI, when one does an Export CofA, the acceptance onto the destination registry is as-is i.e. all mods are accepted… supposedly.
Of course you would never get drawings from Socata so maybe the EASA route is actually impossible. We have various past threads on this. This one is quite interesting.
Design organisation must have a Pt21J approval. A Pt21G is required for production, Pt145 is maintenance only. If Tarbes approves a repair scheme it would be unusual if they do not supply drawings with the scheme. Never worked on a Tarbes product so can’t really comment.
I finally have the approved repair schedule for the Falco after its landing mishap and part of those repairs include repairs to the engine cowling.
The damage is not extensive and I could quite easily repair it myself but I’m considering having a new one made from CF in order to shed some weight. This will involve making a mould from the existing cowling and then making a new cowling from that.
Does anyone know anyone in the UK who might be able to do this without me needing a mortgage?
https://www.reverie.ltd.uk/carbon-manufacturing.php
Reverie are exceptionally competant – I have a number of their products.
https://www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/composites-training-courses
I have a feeling, but dont know for sure, that Easy Composites do bespoke work. They are cetainly a good source for all you need if you fancy DIY! Their products and service are excellent. Are you painting the carbon? It is no where near as imnportant to be so exacting if you are. Also consider how important weight is. Achieving minimal weight is usually reflected in the time and cost and may not be worth the effort.
Fuji_Abound wrote:
Also consider how important weight is. Achieving minimal weight is usually reflected in the time and cost and may not be worth the effort.
Yes, e.g. honeycomb or foam sandwich construction.
Sailplane repairers would be able to do it not sure about the cost. Maybe they would be glad for the business as we haven’t been flying and damaging out toys in field landings ;)
