I'm with you CubBuilder. I'm not an A&P but I fully understand your concern. The best all of us can do is establish a relationship with our A&P and make sure he/she is comfortable with our planes. Also, we need to make sure that the maintenance and repairs we do are done with full visibility and input from the A&P and that they are within our ability. Let's also not forget that education goes both ways too. I once had an A&P threaten to report me to the Feds because I was operating an unsafe aircraft. He was worried about me hand propping my 1946 Taylorcraft ever time I flew. He had never seen an airplane without an electric system! But back on topic, BCAIRPORT, a ferry permit is about a 60 minute task. I've done it several times and found the guys at the local FSDO to be quite helpful and interested in getting me the permit as quickly as possible. Of course the Houston guys are usually pretty enthusiastic about EAB's, vintage or, odd airplanes.