I would imagine its hard and expensive to get parts for some of these old planes.
Hopefully I'm wrong here, but if I understand the rules, even a guy like me, with a full machine shop, cannot make parts for certified aircraft, unless under license from the original maker.
-corey
Actually the rules allow for owners to manufacture parts for their own airplane under certain circumstances (no license/no PMA). It's funny but a mechanic can't manufacture parts, but an owner can and then provide them to a mechanic for installation (there are certain restrictions.) "Manufacture", by the way, doesn't necessarily mean doing everything to cause a particular part to be made. It could involve an owner "participating" in the making of the part in some meaningful way such as drawing up the design specs and providing the raw material to a fabricator. The part is only to be used on the owner's plane and can't be marketed to others (unless you do get PMA or an STC).
I do have to inject some clarification on what Carl has said about non-A&Ps working on certificated aircraft. (Don't shoot the messenger!) The FAA has said in various rulings that it is not enough for a non-A&P's work to be inspected after the fact by an A&P and signed off. The non-A&P has to be working under the
direct supervision of the mechanic. They have further defined this supervision in terms of the mechanic having to be physically present, in close proximity, to the work being done. Having the A&P over at the FBO while you work on your own plane in the hangar 3 doors down doesn't meet the FAA standard for direct supervision. Again, don't shoot the messenger.
