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Piper J-3 12 Gallon and Piper J-5 19 Gallon Fuel Tanks Now Available
PA-12 and PA-14 19 Gallon and 24 Gallon Tanks Available Soon
In February 2009, Biplane Investments, LLC acquired the STC’s for the
popular (late) Clarence Witte fuel tanks for Piper aircraft. The first
problem we encountered was the incompatibility between the J-3 fuel tank and
the integral fuel quantity sight gauge. The fuel tank had been approved
under FAA Type Certificate A-691 and the sight gauge received approval under
Type Certificate ATC-660. In the eyes of the FAA they were never compatible
and should have required a field approval for each installation. We
endeavored to correct this problem.
Our team worked with the Boston Aircraft Certification Office to overcome
this obstacle. They were sympathetic to our problem and were tremendously
cooperative but like most things in government it just takes time. It was
worth the wait! We
received exactly what we asked for. All models of J-3’s, from the 40
horsepower to the PA-11 and L-4 Series and everything in between are now
included in the STC’s for both the fuel tank and the fuel gauge. If you have
a Piper J-3, any model, PA-11 or L-4, now, you may legally install our fuel
tank and quantity gauge.
The next hurdle to cross was the drawings. The FAA had no interest in
approving anything with the relatively poor drawings we received with the
STC’s. Measurements simply could
not be reasonably established and checked due to the many revisions over the
years and the fact they had been hand drawn and were rudimentary at best.
All of the drawings were re-drawn using Computer Assisted Drawing
technology. This gave us a twofold advantage. It provided drawings with the
accuracy the FAA wanted and also provided us with digital input signals for
both the computer controlled laser cutting machine and the computer
controlled metal bending machine used.
Extra time was taken to ensure all tubes for the drag wires and
aileron cables were fitted precisely. Now, every tank is cut and bent
perfectly which results in a much smoother installation.
Concurrently, PMA approval was
pursued with the Boston Maintenance Inspection District Office. The MIDO
needed to wait for the ACO to make a determination of the quality of our new
drawings before they could proceed.
A preliminary inspection of our facilities last fall revealed a few
very minor changes that were required to be made before they could sign off
on our Fabrication Inspection System and Process.
After fifteen months of working to create a better product by revising
drawings that are acceptable to
the FAA, and creating a manufacturing system acceptable to the FAA, the
partners are pleased to announce that on June 17, 2010, Biplane Investments
LLC of Alburg, Vermont was awarded Parts Manufacturing Approval for Piper
J-3 and J-5 fuel tanks. We also hold the STC’s for the PA-12 and PA-14 19
gallon and 24 gallon tanks and will be adding them to our PMA as quickly as
possible.
We can also help correct paperwork problems you may have.
For additional information:
Doug Smith 802-372-6161 or
802-324-5464 (Cell) |
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Welcome to Northern Lights Airport
Piper Aux Wing Tanks
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