Luscombe N77935 8 A/E was restored from the fuselage up by the Luscombe Foundation when that
organization existed. It was a donated 8A, and the donating individual later agreed to pay the
restoration cost and have it restored to his specifications. His goal in the restoration was to make the
aircraft very light weight, and a therefore a high performance Luscombe. It was restored from a
fuselage jig on up, with the horsepower conversion to 85 hp as described in the 1947 Luscombe Service
Bulletin. The cost of the restoration to the donating owner was the value of the donated aircraft plus
$47,000. It was completed in 2003.
I purchased the aircraft from the owner that had it restored in 2008 for $33,000 as a model 8A with a
GW rating of 1260 lbs, a light sport qualified aircraft, and flew it for a couple of years. As I learned more
about FAA regulations and after looking through the aircraft records, I became concerned that the
aircraft wasn’t properly documented or registered. It had been released back to service with only a log
book entry by the Luscombe Foundation without any FAA documentation submitted for the hp upgrade
and other major modifications associated with the rebuild. FAA advised that my aircraft wasn’t legal
and that it didn’t have an Airworthiness Certificate. I spent the next year trying to convince FAA that
they could issue a new Airworthiness Certificate for a modified 8A with a continued GW of 1260 lbs.
Others who have done the same modifications have been successful through approved 337’s. My FSDO
wouldn’t do it for me. In addition, through their inspections and review, FAA discovered the data plate
attached to the aircraft by the Luscombe Foundation wasn’t even for my plane. They grounded the
aircraft because of an invalid Airworthiness Certificate and because of the incorrect data plate.
FAA performed an abbreviated Conformity Inspection, issued approval for a new correct data plate to be
purchased by me, required new IA inspections and 337’s to be filed. This whole process was expensive
and involved countless hours on my part investigating and providing documentation to FAA
documentation on what they can do to keep this aircraft in the light sport category. It didn’t work out. I
now have a beautiful, expensive, legal, maybe the most thoroughly inspected, Luscombe model 8A/E
with a GW rating of 1400 lbs that I can’t fly with a Sport Pilot License. I love flying this aircraft. It really
does perform well and is a kick to fly. I need to sell it for a big loss as a non-LSA qualified aircraft.
$20,000
This aircraft may be considered as an aircraft with 142 hours from new.
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822 lbs EW (less oil), 1400 lbs GW
Polyfiber fabric wings
Temperform seats. The aircraft is really quite comfortable for me on cross country flights
Interior trim was not re-installed. I think it looks better that way
Huge75 lb baggage compartment. I’ve flown with a 40lb dog in a crate plus all my camping
gear.
Wired for navigation lights. Battery box installed in fuselage installed.
Minimum instrumentation.
External antenna for handheld.
Remote ELT.
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Mac 71-46 metal prop with approximately 25 hours since new. I bought this prop because the
prop that was on it when sold to me wasn’t on the type certificate.
Remanufactured C85-12F 142 hours SM. Starter and alternator can be added and the aircraft
does have a new recessed firewall to allow installation. Oil consumption is near 0. I’ve only
flown it 11 hours since 2010 annual and the oil is still on the full mark.
2 X 12.5 gallon wing tanks.
Stromberg carburetor sent out for professional rebuild in 2010 with new taildragger
modification.
Heath solid tailwheel (non-swivel)
BAS Tail pull handle
May 2011 Annual (required within 30 days of new Airworthiness certificate).
New tires May 2011 with annual. 0 hours.
My TAS cruise speed is slightly over 100 mph, low 80’s IAS, my field is a relatively high DA.
Full view or photograph view doors. 8E “D” windows installed in restoration. Also has skylight. Cabin is
very bright in daylight.
Very clean instrument panel and interior. Two glove boxes.
Two new data plates as required by FAA for their issuance of a new Airworthiness Certificate (a third
was also required, affixed by the horzontal stabilizer). Huge 75 lb baggage compartment. The aircraft
also comes with a new, never installed, custom build vinyl baggage compartment liner.
Comfortable new fabric covered seats.
Clean, oil leak free, engine installation.
Similar to my last sight of the plane after I sell it.
Doug Jones, Willard, Utah (Aircraft Hangar Brigham City, KBMC). 435-734-2050. Leave Message.
[email protected].