As an aside regarding safety wires etc. I remember from my preflights
that the certified Katana also uses stiffnuts on some of the rotating
parts, specifically the aileron bellcrank in the wing which is inspected
through a clear plexi cover under the wing. In that case I noticed that
they used a dab of bright goo (lockite maybe?) on the exposed threads &
nut to be able to visually identify if the stiffnut had backed off.
If a certified ship like the Katana uses the same stiff nut technology,
I wonder how the latest 'Aircraft Maintenance Manual' can not list this
method as acceptable. (what document is this manual? AC 4313?)
Cheers,
Pete
A239
-----Original Message-----
From: rlborger [mailto:rlborger@mac.com]
Subject: Re: Europa-List: cotter pins
John,
I had my TC in for my first inspection just before I bonded my cockpit
module in. His comments about kit quality were very similar to those
made by your counselor. My counselor also said that all the screw-in
or screw-on parts should be safety wired or cotter pinned. I showed
him the stiff-nuts provided by Europa and demonstrated how they work.
He said; "Well, it's their kit and it seems to be working for them. Go
ahead and build it the way they say to." He then signed off on the
work.
I hope you can work out a similar agreement with your counselor. I
sure wouldn't have wanted to have to go back and replace every nut and
bolt in my kit.
Good building,
Bob Borger
Europa Kit #A221 N914XL, XS Mono, 914, Airmaster C/S
(60%) tail kit done, wings closed, cockpit module installed, pitch
system in, landing gear frame in, rudder system in, working chapters 23
Fuselage Top, 24 Instrument Panel, 25 Electrical & 29 Main Gear.
3705 Lynchburg Dr.
Corinth, TX 76208
Home: 940-497-2123
Cel: 817-992-1117
> Hello,
> My tech counselor looked at my progress today and as usual
> commented on what a fine kit the Europa is.
> However, he does have an issue with not using castle nuts and cotter
pins
> on bolts that are holding rotating parts together. The aircraft
maintenance
> manual does say that cotter keys should be used on all rotating
parts. This includes
> all the controls in the cockpit module, the wings, flap pivot points
and others
> I haven't found yet. So, I am in the process of getting new bolts,
nuts and cotter
> pins.
> Has anyone else run into this problem?
> The Europa is not the only kit with this problem, he was the TC on a
Kitfox
> and it had the same lack of proper hardware.
> I am sure there are others.
>
> John Eckel, A230
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