The Experimental Aircraft Association, of which
I have been a long time member, strives to be proactive when safety is
concerned. The EAA offers its members a technical
councilor program which is intended to improve the safety of amateur built
aircraft. The idea is for builders to reach out and request their airplanes be inspected
during various stages of construction by fellow EAA members who are, in many
cases, aircraft matinance professionals.
Last week after a couple of unsuccessful attempts
to contact a local EAA technical councilor, the search was expanded and I was
finally able to contact a councilor and set up an inspection date. The inspection by Jim Strock, an EAA technical councilor who is a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic, was slated for late Wednesday morning
at the DOG Aviation production facility. Being excited about inspecting an RV-12, Jim invited long time friend and fellow EAA technical councilor Don Gray, a counselor
experienced in metal aircraft, to join him for the on site inspection.
Both Jim and Don spent a couple of hours asking construction questions, looking
over the RV-12’s plans and inspecting the left wing currently being assembled as well as the finished
tail cone. They also asked questions regarding construction techniques being used and verified
that the proper tools and dies were utilized for countersinking and dimpling based on the type of rivets being used to assemble the RV-12.
Proud to report, both Jim and Don were favorably
impressed with the quality of workmanship thus far ... both said to stay the
course and keep up with all the good work.
