homebuilts. I decided to do the same for the restoration, but one step better. In addition to the written logs of steps, dates, and time expended, I took photographs of every stage of the restoration process. I know have thousands of photos, some of which are shown in these pages.
In 2002-2003, I started taildragger lessons in a J-3 owned by Pete and Karl Engleskirger at Wadsworth Municipal Airport (3G3), Wadsworth, Ohio. I trained in the same aircraft as I was building—a 1946 J-3 with Continental C-85. I soloed in 2003 and got my logbook signed off. I have taken lessons several years since. The Aeronca L-16A keeps me current in these kinds of aircraft today.
every step in the process. The drawings show individual and assembled parts, often the specifications for individual bolts or parts. But Clyde shows how to put the parts together and the photos shows how the finished work should look.
My wife, an expert at painting in our home, is fond of saying: Painting is 90% preparation and 10% actual painting. The actual rolling of the paint on the wall takes no time at all. The same with restoration. I probably spent a year total in planning, preparing, and organizing the project. Given that learning is a joy to me, the time was never a waste.