 |
Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
jindoguy(at)gmail.com
Guest
|
 Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:20 am Post subject: A rant about inspection and expectations |
 |
|
In Richard Pike's story one important detail was left out so, I have to ask.
Did you check the swaged nico sleeve to see that it met the spec for that
size cable?
I've been a machinist and inspector in the aerospace industry since I
started working 35 years ago. Relying on certs to perform a job is a damn
good way to get yourself, or your customer killed. In aerospace, all
critical equipment must not ony be certified, it must be calibrated. Without
calibration of the tool, you have no idea what it does. If it was dropped,
misused, or in some other way impaired from performing its function, this is
where it is caught. After that the job is inspected. In the case of cable, a
sample is tested to limit load and checked for stretch and damage. Even
after that, each cable is visually inspected by the operator, the inspector,
and the mechanic who installs it. While you did the load limit test and got
a failure, that's all you know. If you didn't do the inspection step, and
this applies to every builder, shame on you for not finishing the job.
What truly appals me is the reccurring theme of two wrongs give more
security that one right. A nico sleeve is no different than any other
process done to build an aircraft. It has a procedure and it has a
specification to which it can be inspected and certified. You don't even
have to buy the tool recommended by the company, although a go nogo gauge is
deadhead simple, you can use a caliper, just as well. With the cheap Chinese
copies of swaging tools on eBay and other consumer outlets, the need for
inspection is greater, not less.
If you start off with a second best is good enough attitude, what else are
you going to overlook or let slide by? Burt Rutan, said it best when he
talked about the level of workmanship required to build an airplane, "your
best is barely good enough". Major accidents are almost always caused by
the accumulation of minor ills. Does it matter which one tips the scales?
End of rant.
--
Rick Girard
"Pining for a home on the Range"
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
John Hauck
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:42 am Post subject: A rant about inspection and expectations |
|
|
| I've been a machinist and inspector in the aerospace industry since
I
| started working 35 years ago.
| --
| Rick Girard
Good words.
However, most of us "shade tree" aircraft mechanics do not have an
aerospace industry inspector and machinist to back up our work. We
have to rely on what is available to us, and do the best we can to
make our aircraft as flyable and safe as possible.
As pertains to nicopress sleeves, one can get the measurements from
the AC, stick them in a $10.00 caliper, and check, those sleeves to
insure they are compressed as recommended.
For the most part, most of us "shade tree" aircraft mechanics have a
darn good track record based on many hours of safe, fun flight.
john h
mkIII
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List |
|
_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
rsanoa
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 71
Location: Bell Buckle,TN
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:36 am Post subject: A rant about inspection and expectations |
|
|
Many, many years ago when I built my first Benson Gyro, he enclosed with the kit, material and instructions to assemble your own nico press tool. It was a simple device that screwed two sections, containing proper cutouts for three different sizes sleeves, together with the aid of a wrench. Fool proof in that if you had the proper size sleeve in the proper hole, if you screwed down till the two parts of the tool touched, you had a perfect squeeze. In the intervening years I have built five more homebuilts using that tool on all cables. About two years ago, one of our local fixed base operators, who also had the only repair facility, was an FAA approved repair station for all classes of aircraft, called me to to borrow my tool for a week of repairs in his FAA approved facility because his 'store bought tool' was broken. Slower and not as convenient, but he used it with results he found satisfactory and what he could sign off on. I've seen these tools offered somewhere
at a very reasonable price. Maybe you have a local Gyro builder who would loan you one.
Ray
UltraStar Tenn.
Do not archive
John Hauck <jhauck(at)elmore.rr.com> wrote:
| I've been a machinist and inspector in the aerospace industry since
I
| started working 35 years ago.
| --
| Rick Girard
Good words.
However, most of us "shade tree" aircraft mechanics do not have an
aerospace industry inspector and machinist to back up our work. We
have to rely on what is available to us, and do the best we can to
make our aircraft as flyable and safe as possible.
As pertains to nicopress sleeves, one can get the measurements from
the AC, stick them in a $10.00 caliper, and check, those sleeves to
insure they are compressed as recommended.
For the most part, most of us "shade tree" aircraft mechanics have a
darn good track record based on many hours of safe, fun flight.
john h
mkIII
---------------------------------
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List |
|
_________________
Ray S.Anderson |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
eagle1(at)commspeed.net
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:26 am Post subject: A rant about inspection and expectations |
|
|
I got mine from the old Kolb Co. when I built my first Firestar.
Az. Bald Eagle
---
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Possum
Joined: 12 Jan 2006
Posts: 112
Location: Georgia
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:28 pm Post subject: A rant about inspection and expectations |
|
|
At 11:41 AM 4/24/2006, you wrote:
| Quote: |
| I've been a machinist and inspector in the aerospace industry since
-snip---
|
| Quote: | For the most part, most of us "shade tree" aircraft mechanics have a
darn good track record based on many hours of safe, fun flight.
john h
|
Some advise about "Kolb Drivers"
Kolb people are notorious, not only for their skill, but for their attitude.
Most of them have built more than one Ultralight, many have built more than
one Kolb. Some have paid the price for their arrogance, if you want
to call it that.
We push it a little bit. Whether you consider that good or
bad...presumptuous maybe?
But then again..(into the gin) ..you got to fly that thing at the end
of the day.
That pile of tubes and fabric, that is what is was, this is who we are.
What we get is a certain amount of tolerance for a certain amount of risk.
What am I talkin bout Beauford??
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
