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grant.corriveau(at)TELUS.
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 Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject: From the Ground Up... the adventure continues! |
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"... but I did not have a tensionometer and in fact I don't remember if I knew then what the correct setting should have been..."
The following is in no way meant to criticize the author of this comment. It is typical of some of the extra challenges we homebuilders face.
Rather I want to point out that Zenair was (in my case circa 2000) of limited help in the area of making the transition from building to flying their aircraft for the first time and maintaining it there after. Why this should be is a matter open to discussion and the word "liability" for products they did not construct, has a lot to do with it, I bet.
For example, my HDS had no data specified anywhere in the plans or construction manual about what is the correct setting for control cable tension. Because I was an experienced pilot at the time, I knew enough to ask. But this shouldn't have been necessary.
Likewise, now that I'm flying my aircraft, I depend mainly on fellow builders to figure out things like the maintenance schedule for the aircraft (in detail - not just "check the wings; check the fuselage; etc..). I have had to figure out my own procedures (still am) for items like replacing landing gear bungee chords (you XL builders will miss out on this lovely chore). Information about necessary and useful places to cut inspection holes to check internal parts and so on was not mentioned anywhere. Again, it is the now-flying builder community that I depend on for much of this. Likewise what should be checked for critical conditions of bolts, engine mounts, the engine itself, etc. etc. This is up to "we the builders" to figure out and accomplish using various resources.
Compared to other consumer-oriented vehicles these problems are somewhat peculiar to homebuilt airplanes. Zenair has liability issues to consider every time they even think about extending customer support into such areas. Basically, I'm guessing they limit themselves as much as possible to helping us get it built. After that we're pretty much on our own. I've always found the Zenair folks helpful when I contact them, but we don't have the same level of factory-produced support information and service (i.e. manuals and checklists) as we do for these other vehicles I mentioned. My workshop (and yours) IS the factory.
So the message I want to convey to all those still in the building process, or getting ready for the first flight. Don't make the mistake of thinking that once you've built it, it's finished and you can "just use it" like other consumer vehicles. You can't. You alone are responsible for figuring out how to get it flying and keep it flying SAFELY.
Just a word to the wise based on my own realizations over the years.
Fly Safe!
Grant Corriveau
601HDS GHTF
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The Wings Stayed On!
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[quote][b]
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Ron Lendon
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Location: Clinton Twp., MI
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| Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject: Re: From the Ground Up... the adventure continues! |
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That type of support is supposed to happen here. We are the manufactures of our airplanes. Methods, tips and tricks should be the main types of postings here. I'm almost sure that will be the case once we realize our responsibilities.
I do believe many conversations are taking place offline because of the peer pressure and flame throwing we see. That's OK but the whole community suffers from it.
| | - The Matronics Zenith-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:
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_________________
Ron Lendon
WW Corvair with Roy's Garage 5th bearing
CH 601 XLB
N601LT - Flying
http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon
Corvair Engine Prints:
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