Unhangared Citabria

[John_R.]

Hello again,

An airplane I'm trying to purchase (N334SV -- 1965 Citabria 7ECA owned by Frank Robinson) has not been hangared for at least one year. It was recovered in Ceconite and doped in 1992 and has the Continental 100-horse engine. Of course, I'm concerned about corrosion, etc., but expect that to be discovered during the pre-buy inspection.

I guess the question is: Should I not consider the a/c at all because it hasn't been hangared? To my knowledge, tube & fabric planes have spent years out of doors and not suffered too terribly much.

Thanks,
John

 

[maurice]

I have a 1965 ECA that was hangared until I bought it in 1984. I kept it on a tiedown at Portland, Me and Biddeford, Maine for a total of 8 years. I did have full covers for it for the last 5 years until I was finally able to buy a hangar. I am a licenced mechanic and do very thorugh inspections plus having the annuals done at anFBO. No problems. Good luck. It;s a great little bird.

 

[mikeberg/wi]

John,
Obviously, the fabric can be checked with a "Maule" tester for fabric strength. Most likely it's probably OK. Also, take it out in the sunlight (guess that shouldn't be hard if no hanger ) pull the lower inspection covers and look for sunlight "leaking" through which would indicate poor silver, etc. Look for wrinkles in the fabric and make a good inspection for corrosion around the lower tail area.

 

[maurice]

You probly already know this, but just to be sure,---- the best way I know of to check for corrosion in the lower tail area is with an ice pick. Just use moderate pressure on the bottom of the longeron. If you go through the metal, well, you know the rest of that for sure.