Modifications????

[cjkrit]

Is it only me that experiences a negative undertone in my gut when I read of a modification on a machine [microlight, gyro or engines]. Surely the manufacturers have spent big $$ to develop and come up with the best combinations and solutions.

Undoubtedly I will not buy a secondhand car with all sorts of mods from A to Z.

Why do people do these things to their planes?

[Boet]

Neither do I. Exept that it sometimes puts the AP inspectors in a tight spot.......... Therefore, if you feel the urge to do modifications to your time-tested and proven aircraft, please go sit in a quiet corner untill the urge has passed. Even more so if your mod will make the plane "stronger"......

[Hak]

Modifications JA !!
It is part of PROGRESS(I guess )

[skybound®]

Learning from others accidents is also progress:

From a recent accident report.

It is recommended that the SACAA publish an article in the Safety Link magazine
stressing the importance of adhering to the NTCA kit built designer and
manuafacturing specifications. Any deviation from such plans or installation
procedures can result in the introduction of potentially unsafe conditions. For example
an incearse in horsepower of the installed engine or installation of a turbocharger can
result in the introduction of fatique failures

[Biggles]

The law of unforeseen consequences...

[John Boucher]

Now this lets me think of Subs being pushed to really high levels of output!

If it breaks in a car ... pull over - call a tow truck

If it breaks during take off or any place you cannot really land properly ... Beeeeeg trouble - call a meat truck

Stick to Standard for Reliability!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Man I am glad Wilbur and Orville did not read this I don't much like riding a bicycle...

[Aerosan]

So what will we call our new "type" will it be "type certified uncertified aircraft"?
Because I thought that "modifying" was the just of "experimental aircraft"!? maybe the sport has gone into a new era where we have guys wanting to fly, and buy those “ cheaper” machines {not that you can call a new ML cheap these days but I suppose compared to a new Cessna….} So in my opinion we should keep the old “experimental” class and make a new one for those guys who doesn’t want to build and are not interested in finding better or new ways to do things. As a experimental aircraft pilot I want to make my own whatever and be proud of what I have created. I want to see that I can make this or that better it is the calculated risk that Im willing to take , you are restricted where and when you can fly anyway so what is the odds??

my humble 2c

[John Boucher]

True Aerosan... however you are one individual that will play by rules and conform within the "experimental" criteria - there are those few that go beyond the realms of what one would deem logical and put everything at risk! And as George says.... The Wright Brothers becomes the Wrong Boeties!

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Ap system is there to monitor this. I am all for less rules and more experimentation. Compare where our NTCA is vs American "experimental" category... If you comfortable with it, JUST DO IT....

Only way we will move forward is by normal folks pushing the envelope. Bliksem (Sling) is proof of that. They could just as well have used the RV12 why design a whole new aeroplane. Answer BECAUSE they can. Similarly the automotive derivatives driving trikes or Gyro's. Keep it up I say.... but that just me....

PS
John
I think you missed my take on it.

[John Boucher]

No I didn't George... just banter sir!

I am also tense over extreme regulation and control - the 582 crank issue saw me being very verbal in this regard! As for the Sling, testing was being done in a controlled scenario with highly qualified pilots doing that job. We must be careful that allowing everyone doing his own thing becomes a free for all or free for FALL statistic. Guidelines should still be in place to protect the backyard mechanics from themselves. The yanks have all these fantastic shops shoving aluminium & nice goodies in the faces of the builders. The builders (EAA) sit with such a huge infrastructure and support base and if you don't have it on your shelf to put on your aerie... pop a call to DHL and collect and the next day all is sorted. This by no means makes it a safer environment should every Tom,Dick or Harry now become a self appointed AP or AMO. I do reserve my opinion of some of these gents but that is a whole discussion of its own.... In the end there should not be a degradation of SAFETY all round!!!!!!

I'm FOR own maintenance, experimental & NTCA because this makes our type of aviation affordable (yet with specific guidelines to do such work in place!)

Been there, Done that, Bought the T-Shirt... Next project please!
When I was racing 50cc motorcycles around the go-cart track in Kimberley in the 80's, I also learnt how to tune 2-stroke engines...from porting right through to building our own expansion boxes that really worked! Might have been at school still but we knew exactly how shock pulses acted and reacted inside that metal can by merely changing mid sections and deflector angles. Later I had an RD350LC (which doesn't work so much different to a 582 bar the rotary valve/reed valve variation) and tuned this bike into a serious monster that used to cream the 900's of the day! Point is, in the end reliability became an issue and every Monday evening, the engine was open to check that rings didn't break, no scoring on the pistons, roller bearings still ok etc.

Run for cover...... I suppose I'll get some stick for this!

[georgeh]

I have just done a modification on my Shadow C/D. As far as i'm concerned my plane is far safer with the mod for more than 1 reason. I extended the Pax footwell. The pax legs used to be in the way of the joystick and throttle. Sitting in the back was extremely uncomfortable. The extension allows more comfort, no fowling of controls by pax and in the event of a nose wheel failure the well will act as a skid and prevent any part of the nose gear digging into the ground.
I have attached 2 photo's.
Any comments?
George.

Before extending footwell

[John Boucher]

The mod was done in the interest of SAFETY and can be warranted

Really don't have a problem with your reasoning!

[AndyG]

It's just the pilot that is dodgy

Cheers George

[John Boucher]

Andy... will you fit in that contraption at he back?