AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - February 2018 - 42

PILOT BRIEFING
SUPER CUB SWEEPSTAKES

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'Do-it-yourself' fabrication
Sweeps-like makeovers with big savings
B Y A LY S S A J. C O B B

42 | AOPA PILOT February 2018

re-covering their own airplanes with the help of an A&P, providing substantial savings. The materials to re-cover an aircraft cost
about $5,000, he said. Based on the amount of fabric the California
company sells, Goldenbaum estimates that more than 2,500 fabric-covered airplanes are re-covered every year by Consolidated
Aircraft Coatings materials, and 80 percent of those covered in
the United States are "done by amateurs under supervision of an
A&P." Because of this, Goldenbaum said his company helps teach
amateurs how to properly cover aircraft.
Detailed, easy-to-read manuals about three types of fabric covering processes are available for free download on Consolidated's
website, technical specialists provide support over the phone, and
hands-on workshops are offered at major aviation events like EAA
AirVenture and the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In and Expo. Goldenbaum said
his goal is to demystify the fabric covering process and show owners that it's not hard, they "can do it themselves and save $25,000."
EMAIL alyssa.cobb@aopa.org

For more information
Baker Air
www.bakerairservice.com
Consolidated Aircraft Coatings
www.conaircraft.com
Univair
www.univair.com
Consolidated Aircraft Coatings
www.conaircraft.com
Visit the AOPA Super Cub Sweepstakes webpage to see photos of the latest work on the aircraft along with a complete list
of generous contributors. (www.aopa.org/sweeps)

ROGER MEGGERS

A COMPLETE TIP-TO-TAIL, inside-out restoration like AOPA's Super
Cub Sweepstakes aircraft is undergoing might not be feasible for
all rag-wing aircraft owners, but replacing damaged, corroded, or
stressed decades-old parts and re-covering the aircraft with new
fabric and paint can breathe new life into the aircraft. With some
time, elbow grease, help from an A&P, and expert advice, owners
can refurbish much of their aircraft on a budget.
Finding the correct replacement parts for older aircraft can
be like finding a needle in a haystack. If the part is original to the
aircraft, owners might not find a part number on it. In the case
of aircraft no longer supported by their manufacturer (like the
Super Cub), turning to other companies for parts is essential.
Colorado-based Univair-a family-owned company now under
the third-generation leadership of Jim Dyer-specializes in supplying approved parts for older Pipers, Cessnas, Aeroncas, Ercoupes,
Luscombes, Stinsons, Taylorcrafts, and more. Univair discounted
many of the airframe parts for the Sweepstakes Super Cub. Dyer
said they sell about 20 fuselages, 1,000 wing ribs, and hundreds of
spars for the Super Cub each year.
"Our guys here are happy to help if you need a bolt for the tailwheel or the whole wing," Dyer said, explaining that everything
is sold by part number. Univair trains its employees to be knowledgeable about the aircraft they support and to work with owners
to accurately narrow down the part possibilities to the correct one.
After improving the structural integrity of the aircraft-new
versus 60-year-old parts-adding a new fabric covering and paint
could make the aircraft look like it just rolled out of the factory.
Consolidated Aircraft Coatings President Jon Goldenbaum
donated the coverings for AOPA's Super Cub-which Baker Air
Service in Montana is refurbishing-but many of his customers are
http://www.bakerairservice.com http://www.conaircraft.com http://www.univair.com http://www.conaircraft.com http://www.aopa.org/sweeps
AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - February 2018

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