A Maintenance Oriented Podcast For Airplane Owners, Pilots, and Mechanics

Tag: bretchilcott

121 – When to Fire an A&P

Is there ever a good reason to fire an A&P?

I think so… and in today’s episode, we’ll talk about some evidence for one of those times. Scroll down for the appalling pictures I took recently!


But before that, I want to share some inspiring information related to the amazing Stinson family of airplanes. And… if you are as involved in your airplane’s maintenance as Bret Chilcott and Randy Phillips, the chances are slim to none that you’ll ever find yourself in a situation where you need to fire your A&P. You’ll be so involved in the process, that you naturally work with an A&P and IA who are competent, skilled, and very professional.

Here’s a video from Bret Chilcott. He sent this to me a good while back when he was changing a cylinder on his Stinson 108 airplane… I love the color of his airplane! Thanks for the video Bret! You’re one of my airplane owner heroes!

And for you Stinson owners, (and perhaps others as well, because the Stinson guys are so inspiring,) here’s a link to the Stinson Tech Channel on YouTube, which is managed by Randy Phillips, another great guy. Listen to today’s episode to hear an audio clip from Randy.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrQVOk7qUlVTTXH8hJpdQjg

Randy mentioned something I have not thought much about… the “Owner assisted engine overhaul.” What a fascinating idea! I’m interested in learning more about that one… thanks Randy!

One more really helpful contact for Stinson airplanes and for Franklin engines, is Jack Stewart. Jack is the A&P / IA who Randy Phillips worked with to overhaul his airplane engine awhile back. He’s very knowledgeable and here’s a link for a YouTube video of a Franklin engine seminar by Jack:


Now for a totally different topic.

I discovered something awhile ago on a Cessna airplane that was absolutely appalling to me, and I thought I’d share some pictures and some thoughts that came to my mind about “When to fire an A&P.”

It’s rare that I see something this appalling on an airplane, but I thought this one was so bad, I’d talk about it in today’s episode and share some pictures. It was also a good opportunity for me to use my borescope, since I had to take most of these pictures under the floor of this airplane.

Here is a sampling of what I found on a seat track installation in a Cessna airplane… I could hardly believe it!

Oops! This rivet was obviously hit with a rivet gun, but was not bucked properly.
Oops! They forgot to put a nut on this screw.
Oops! Lots of mis-drilled holes.
Oops! Rivets too short, and holes too large. Also check out the butchered holes to the left.
Oops! Left rivet: Too short, deformed, and hole too large. Right Cherry Max rivet: Hole too large, and rivet not seated properly.
Oops! A piece of seat track installed UNDER the floor!?!?
Oops! Rivet hole way to large.
Oops! Blind rivets not seated properly… the center stem and locking collar should be visible and flush with the surface of the rivet head.
Oops! Extra, unused holes in the seat track.
Oops! This rivet was pulled crooked and did not seat properly.
And for the final oops… they didn’t even bother to clean out the shavings and old rivet tails under the floor.

So… what about all this?

If I found any one of these situations in the previous pictures on an airplane, and it was an isolated issue by itself, I’d probably just fix it and go on without thinking too much about it. But to have so many issues on the same installation… that’s just incompetent at best, and even might be considered beyond negligent.

Perhaps, this is one time when it would be appropriate to “Fire an A&P.” I certainly would not want this person anywhere near my airplane engine, or any other critical part of the airplane. This, to me, is totally unacceptable, and it got me thinking about when it might be appropriate to “Fire an A&P.” And I thought of several times. Here they are:

  • If they are deceptive, and you can’t trust them.
  • If interactions with them are continually frustrating.
  • If there is continuous lack of communication.
  • And… if they do something like the butchered seat track installation in these pictures.

Thankfully, A&P’s are usually skilled, dependable, and conscientious. But for some rare occasions, there might be a time to “Fire an A&P.”

My challenge for all of us: Be the best you can be, in the situation you’re in!

And for all A&P’s and IA’s who are doing excellent work: Well done my friends! You have a very important job and people are counting on you. Keep up the good work!

120 – Airplanes and People From Oshkosh 2019

Note: The Exhaust Valve Borescoping and Lapping Presentation at Oshkosh was so much fun, and I met some fantastic people. If you’re buying the borescope I recommended, go to AirplaneOwnerMaintenance.com/119 and click the links for the borescope of your choice. Use the code “Dean” for a 10% discount.

Now for the trip to Oshkosh:

The Luray, Virginia guys!


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Final approach to runway 27 – Land on the “Green Dot!”

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I met Bret Chilcott from Neodesha Kansas, and listened to his excellent presentation about Stinson 108 aircraft, and what a value they are.

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So many sleek and fast airplanes at AirVenture!

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I managed to grab a quick picture with Mike Busch… he did 13 seminars this year!

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Check out one of the stunningly beautiful float planes there:

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Jack Swift was the first person to purchase my video course, “Safety Wire Like A Pro!” I met him at Boeing Plaza, between the Boeing 747 and the 787. What a great guy!

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Check out the turbine 206 on floats at the seaplane base:

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And a mission organization who uses Cessna 206’s in Papua, New Guinea. samaritanaviation.org

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Chris Palmer with AviatorTraining.com was there, and it was great to meet him in person! I gotta get a new hat for next year… that thing is ridiculous 🙂 Check out Chris on Instagram @angleofattack – he got a ride in the back seat of one of the Aeroshell Team T-6’s! Well done Chris!

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Bob Ripley was in the ABS tent, and I got to thank him for his help… he’s a walking encyclopedia of Bonanza and Baron knowledge! Having access to Bob for technical questions, in my opinion, is one of the best benefits of ABS membership.

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It was also a great privilege to meet Joe Godfrey and Dave Pasquale. Joe is an engine monitor and analysis expert, and Dave is a borescoping and valve lapping expert. Both of these guys work with Savvy Aviation, and Dave also has his own maintenance shop, Pasquale Aviation, LLC, in Pottstown, PA.

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Finally, don’t miss the story behind this picture…

I saw this guy with his young family and decided to take a picture to get his information. I forgot about it until today when I was looking through my photos. His story is absolutely inspiring. Listen to the audio for this episode, and then check out his website:

www.StolCreek.com

One of these days, I hope I can take Maria and go visit Mike’s grass-runway airport in Whitewater, Kansas!

What a great year to attend Oshkosh / AirVenture for the first time! I’m already hoping I’ll be able to attend Oshkosh 2020!