Montana Feedback

I have excused myself from getting my hands dirty the last couple of days due to an apparent sinus infection.  Good times.

But Don did get an answer from the bearhawk builder in Montana, with responses to our earlier queries.

Key points:

• Project was started in 2000; owner is now selling due to medical issues.  Aircraft was built in the garage of an EAA technical counselor who was involved "from day one"  (Probably because it was the owner's first project.)  Very encouraging.
• No cargo door because it's not in the plans!  (I guess it was a later, builder initiated improvement).  Relatively straightforward to retrofit, but does involve some welding.  And removal of fabric covering (which is Stits process, by the way).
• The Airframe & Powerplant mechanic who did the evaluation rated the sheet metal work on the wings as "fair" due to some imperfect riveting (rivets not flush, or not bucked/crimped perfectly).  This is good news because it is not a dimensional issue (i.e. wings are straight!).  We will want to remove wing skins and redo some riveting.
• The same A&P rated the TIG-welded fuselage cage as "good."
• All material and hardware came from a known good supplier (Aircraft Spruce).  Except the engine, which was salvaged from a damaged aircraft (engine was not damaged, but was overhauled to zero time).  Also, project includes a constant-speed prop from same source.  Bonus!
• Building logs are not 100% complete, but should be OK.
• The landing gear is 4-6" longer than called for by the plans, a modification intended for rough fields/bush flying.

Overall, this is encouraging information and makes sense.  Slightly better than I was hoping, actually.