Aviation Enterprises Hard Points

[JimC]

Does anyone have the hard points from Aviation Enterprises installed on a 337 (not on an O-2?)

[chrisb]

No i don't Jim,
But i'd be keen to get more information on them

[JimC]

I checked.

Owen won't sell the hard point STC for you to install elsewhere. You take your plane to him, and he'll install them for you. Then you'll need to get field approval for each item you want to carry on the hard points. The hard point STC does not include pylons; those are separate.

There's a process for working around the aileron pulleys to get the brackets installed. Since I have R/STOL wings, which change the cable routing, it could be more complicated for my wings.

Considering his documented history with modifying wings, I'm passing on sending my plane to him for the STC. I'd do it if he'd sell the right to reproduce the STC and the wing-cutting work could be done at my home field.

I'm now looking into adapting parts from the FTB337G hardpoints for a field approval. It'll be a long road. I haven't reached the guy in NZ who carries the bikes under the wings of his 185, but I have all his contact info. I bet there's useful info there.

[chrisb]

Interesting.
Don't suppose you have a parts manual for the FTB337G? I had a quick look but couldn't easily put my hand on one to download. If we could get the internal wing structure it may be fairly evident what's required.

Best

[JimC]

Nope, haven't found one yet. Also, all of the Reims 337s got pulled back under the A6CE type certificate - except for the FTB337G. It's on a EASA SAS. It's not going to be easy.

I do have the O-2 manual. The drawing is Figure 26, on pages 2-90 - 2-95.

Here's a picture of an FTB337G with the hard point screws visible. There are two in front just forward of the main spar and two in back just aft of the rear spar. This is the inner hard point; 3 screws of the outer hard point are visible on the left side of the photograph.

[chrisb]

There are a heap of 337's kicking around Europe pretty unloved and out of annual. Anything not on an N Reg is very expensive to keep and maintain with the regulations from EASA and the inability to maintain parts on condition. I know of a P337 that's been sitting for a long time down south. It didn't take much searching to find a Milirole that's based out of Spain EC-IPQ that has the hardpoints on it.
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/508950

Do we know (collectively as a community) what happened to the Zimbabwean Airforce Lynx's after they were retired?

[JimC]

I don't think that's a milirole. I see inspection plates, not hardpoints.

That's an FT337G, not an FTB337G. If you're looking at the right side, you can tell because it doesn't have the windows in the lower half of the clamshell door.

[Rick Erwin]

JimC: The FAA took over administration of the Reims Type Certificates (A23EU), but the Reims Skymasters are still separately certified.

[JimC]

re: A23EU

Aha! I misunderstood the statement on the EASA website. You're correct.