OWATONNA, Minnesota — Alpha Aviation’s Ercoupe Baggage Compartment STC has been out of production since October 2020, thanks to a shortage of skilled labor, according to company officials.
In an effort to make this modification available once again, Alpha Aviation has put together a program for Ercoupe owners to fabricate and install the 9cf Baggage Compartment as “Owner Produced Parts” under FAA regulation Part 21, 303, (b), 2.
The process offers a one-time use of Alpha Aviation’s FAA STC SA330GL Design Approval, Material List and Drawing Package. Purchasers will receive a signed use approval for a single aircraft by Serial and N number, company officials explained.
The Design Approval for STC SA330GL is for production as “Owner Produced or Verified Salvaged Parts.” Alpha Aviation will provide technical support, company officials noted.
Individual parts are produced from standard aircraft materials, and are simple, requiring no compound curves, special processing, or exotic finishes, officials add.
The Owner Produced Parts Design Approval & Document Package is priced at $299.
A Hardware Packet is available for $50. The material list will allow owners to determine if parts can be sourced locally or if it is best to order the hardware packet, according to company officials.
A Resource Documents Package will be of interest to the A/P and IA that will return the modified aircraft to service, company officials added.
The STC is approved for 415-C, 415-CD, 415-D, E, G, F-1, F-1A models.