Speaking as a LAA inspector I totally agree with what you say, it is always
important to consider the relationship you have with the builder/owner. In
my experience owners' are usually very good at finding and diagnosing and
fixing problems with their own aircraft.
Not withstanding that, however good the relationship is between owner and
inspector; I know that a thorough inspection is always necessary to pick up
the odd fault that may have been missed. Quite often I do not find anything
untoward but as some of my personal owners know, sometimes I find very
significant problems that cannot be ignored.
That check, if it is to be worth anything has to take awhile and in the case
of a Europa is best achieved with the a/c disassembled. Many things can be
seen with the wings off that cannot possibly be seen with them on.
Pete Jeffers
Inspector for Europa Club
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Carl Pattinson
Sent: 13 May 2008 11:18
Subject: Europa-List: Re: Accident Report Question
<carl.pattinson@btinternet.com>
I believe that certain assumptions have been made here that are not
necessarily true. ie: that the inspection process only took an hour and a
half.
The role of the "inspector" within the PFA is to supervise the building and
maintenance of their aircraft. It dosen't mean they have to do the work
themselves or be present when the work is being done. In other words they
are there to ensure the aircraft is built and maintained to the proper
standards.
Early on in an inspector/ builder relationship the inspector generally makes
an assessment as to the experience/ competence the person they are managing
and this will determine how much or little supervision is needed .If a
builder is fairly experienced it is likely that less supervision will be
required.
It is not uncommon for an owner/ builder to do the annual inspection himself
(this may take several days if done properly) and then for the inspector to
make whatever checks he considers necessary to satisfy himself the
inspection has been done properly. He may well focus on specific issues
which are common to a particular aircraft.
The most time consuming part of this particular task for the inspector is
likely to be completing the necessary paperwork and checking the logbooks
are properly filled in.
So to answer your specific question, when the AAIB report says the
inspection only took an hour and a half dosent mean thats how long it
actually took. What they are referring to is the culmination of the
inspection process.
Carl Pattinson
G-LABS
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=182875#182875
Checked by AVG.
18:14
Checked by AVG.
18:14
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