Float planes of WWII

I seem to remember seeing pics and a movie of that particular aircraft (or one modified like it) several years ago being used as a bush plane in Canada just after the war.  Might be worth a phone call, letter or e-mail to see what they have on file (or as Monk would say, "I could be wrong").

Mlflyer

They don't need to apply for a full STC (which is a supreme pain in the posterior to work thru).  Just apply for an "In Field Approval (or "One Only STC).  That only applies to one aircraft by manufacturer, model and serial number and carries no production approval.  It's somewhat quicker than a full STC and gets even quicker if you can provide data from a like modification previously installed by the Mfgr or IFA.  A lot also depends upon the inspector you draw either at the FSDO or EMDO.  The quickest IFA I ever got took only 60 days (approval for IFR operation of a GPS I'd installed) and the longest was a year and 3/4 (installation of a set of flaps on a stock J-3).  In one case, the inspector was interested in the modification, in the other, the inspector didn't see any need for the mod.

qmiester wrote:

A lot also depends upon the inspector you draw either at the FSDO or EMDO.  The quickest IFA I ever got took only 60 days (approval for IFR operation of a GPS I'd installed) and the longest was a year and 3/4 (installation of a set of flaps on a stock J-3).  In one case, the inspector was interested in the modification, in the other, the inspector didn't see any need for the mod.

Ah yes, the great unknown variable when you visit the FSDO... what mood is the inspector/examiner in today? I've been there... CFI checkride. They manage to find an excuse to fail nearly 80% of CFI applicants their first time through. Guess what happened to me?

The other fun one is when FSDO offices disagree with each other, get to bureaucratic wrestling, and trap pilots/owners/operators in the middle. Talk about a mess.

I have to admit, I totally forgot that you can get an IFA for just one airplane. Sounds like you have some ownership experience... what are you owning and/or flying these days?

Kevin

Actually, I'm on the maintenance side - been an A&P for 36 years and an AI for 33.  I'm not currently working full time as a mechanic, just enough to keep both licences current. My current full time job is an electronics security tech for the Kansas National Guard  (the salary and benifits are great).  Giving serious consideration to retiring late this summer and going back to aviation full time (well, maybe 1/2 to 3/4 time).  I haven't flown for a few years because I have to rent (got my Private Pilot)and we've bought a house.  I'll probably renew my medical after I retire because a couple of my regular customers (one owns an Ercoupe and the other owns a 7AC) have expressed an interest in working a deal where they'll put me on their insurance and allowing me to fly their planes and in return, I provide maintenance  and  inspections (and pay for my own fuel & oil).

Thought this may be of interest.

http://www.douglasdc3.com/float/float.htm

 The aircraft in the link still exists as far as I can find out but whether she still has floats or not I don't know yet. I'll keep digging for you because this one has my attention. 

All the best.

Greg

MIflyer wrote:

I wonder if this owner contacted Wipline and/or Edo (makers of aircraft floats) and they told him to take a hike.

I'm almost positive that Edo made the floats for the C-47, and that they weren't welded.

Is it April fools day already? 

the Baron wrote:

I'd want to get some kind of disclosure or release, protecting me against any liability, before I'd sign on on a project like this.

Bingo.  It sounds like you are a small company and I suspect that a 1.8 mil job represents a significant amount of revenue.  No wonder your boss can't say no.

But if something goes wrong you will be sued.  Not maybe, you will be.  The cost of defense and liability if you lose could easily sink the company.  As in gone.

I would not rest on a "couple of aeronautical courses."  I would not rest on any kind of loose agreement.  All of the prior recommendations from other posters are good.  CYA!!!!  Make sure you are covered six ways to Sunday, otherwise this is a huge risk.

I realize this responsibility lies with the upper management echelon, but at the end could mean your job.  Harp on it.

Good luck.

And it's not the guy building the DC-3 that will sue you, it's some guy riding in it or that it fell on. The floats were a riveted structure.

EDO definitely built those floats.  They will be on microfilm in their archives, as well as the attaching structure.   Jay Frey was head of the float division for many years, and that is where I learned how the records are kept.  EDO is primarily an electronics defense contractor now, so it is difficult to find anyone interested in old floats.  I am pretty sure that the DC-3 on floats now that was flying in the northeast used floats found in storage that EDO built in WW II but were never in use.  EDO did the floats and the testing on the F4F Wildcatfish as well.