Having rebuilt/recovered several light tube and fabric certified planes I am fortunate to have a IA that will work with me. However he happens to be about 60 miles away so it gets to the point where there is a certain amount of waiting for him to make the trip to inspect my work. One would say "why not get your A & P" but there's no local school and I have no desire at my age (+70) to learn about jet and turbine engines, controllable props or heavy electronics ,etc. As a diesel mechanic with over 50 years of experience including 30+ years teaching the subject I've worked on equipment a lot more complex that a 7AC Champ or J-3 Cub. It would seem to me that common sense should take over and offer a path for those of us who only want to maintain older light duty aircraft. Taking my Champ, Taylorcraft or J-3 to the 'big shop up the road' only means they're going to be learning about tube and fabric aircraft on my dollar ($$$$) and I feel much more confident of doing the work myself anyway. I doubt A & P schools even teach tube and fabric anymore. Plus, let's say I've had a couple of bad experiences with annuals by 'certified mechanics'. My suggestion would be that a course (and examination) be offered to those of us who want to maintain our light duty aircraft. Probably not going to happen in the amount of flying time I have left but it's a nice thought.