cfiaime@ihnp4.UUCP (08/16/83)
Aircraft maintenance is nothing more than black magic. There is no way that any person can keep track of each individual accessory on an airplane if he/she is concerned about more than one aircraft. This is where the owner comes in. Find out what is on your airplane, write to the manufacturer of each accessory and request/buy/beg the manual on the accessory. They YOU should go through the manuals, noting any special procedures. Then, when the inspection is due, YOU again will have a list of things that you want to have done, the procedures according to the manufacturer, the documentation for the procedure, and the justification for the request. If the mechanic/AP/AI balks, say thanks and find another mechanic/AP/AI. As an aircraft owner, you have the responsibility and opportunity to know as much about your airplane as possible. Again, it helps to work with the mechanic/AP/AI on each inspection. If there is a problem with doing this, find someone else who will work with you. As an aircraft owner, I do not trust anyone working on my airplane if I am not there. Matter of fact, an AI who works for Eastern Airlines did my last annual. During the annual, I had to show him things specific to my aircraft. It is sad, but true, that there is no one who knows my airplane as well as I do. Except for maybe Joe and Howard Funk who built it. (The airplane is, of course, "Phoebe", a 1940 FUNK "B", serial number 46.) If you have continuing maintenance problems, a visit to the GADO in your area could prove to be worthwhile. Keep it low, slow, and within gliding distance... Jeff Williams BTL - Naperville, IL ihnp4!cfiaime