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  #11  
Old 11-23-2011, 05:44 AM
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DanH DanH is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Bolton View Post
The quote "Better is the Enemy of Good Enough" is worth a google BTW - learn a bit about Soviet Naval history :-)
Sure is. Here's the result when everyone in the system accepts "good enough":

http://www.lostsubs.com/Soviet.htm

.....and in our case leads to things like the incorrect elevator rigging Walt discusses in another thread.
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  #12  
Old 11-23-2011, 05:53 AM
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Just don't let "cosmetic perfection" morph into complacency on "system perfection" later on down the road. Van's structure is such that a few minor deviations are usually not a problem but when it comes to systems like fuel, flight controls, and engine, there should be no compromises on quality.
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  #13  
Old 11-23-2011, 06:17 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walt View Post
Just don't let "cosmetic perfection" morph into complacency on "system perfection" later on down the road. Van's structure is such that a few minor deviations are usually not a problem but when it comes to systems like fuel, flight controls, and engine, there should be no compromises on quality.
Precisely! "Good enough" is a slippery slope. There are no perfect airplanes, but perfect is just good enough for some parts of airplanes.
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  #14  
Old 11-23-2011, 07:18 AM
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If "good enough" isn't "good enough", then you haven't defined "good enough" properly.....

I am in the "perfection s unattainable" camp, but also believe that a certain level of quality is required. the greatest failing is that people don't get proper mentoring and oversight to understand what is "good enough" in aviation. It is usually better than what most of us learn for household repairs, but it's not rocket science either.

If you don't know how to rig controls, make good flairs, shim bearings and joints....take the time to find out from someone who knows. That's what Tech Counselors are for. Yes, aviation work is different - but you can learn it if you take the time.

Paul
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  #15  
Old 11-23-2011, 07:30 AM
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N8RV N8RV is offline
 
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Default Sometimes we just get lucky.

While I do agree that "good enough" is a slippery slope, I also agree that there is a certain level of competence required when building an airplane.

That said, I look to my own experience and marvel at Danny King's assessment of my skills after he made Smokey's maiden flight:

"Well, somehow all of your screw-ups over 13 years managed to cancel each other out and the plane flies hands-off."

With friends like that ...

The moral of the story is that, even with moderate skills and attention to detail, sometimes we just get lucky. I have no other explanation for my success.
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  #16  
Old 01-16-2014, 09:31 AM
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Very funny post!!! Best to you.
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  #17  
Old 01-16-2014, 09:12 PM
the_other_dougreeves the_other_dougreeves is offline
 
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Nothing is every perfect. Therefore, those who insist on perfection will never finish. The rest of us get to fly.

TODR
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  #18  
Old 01-16-2014, 10:20 PM
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I've had a thought bouncing around my bee-bee brain but didn't have an appropriate place to expose it. Maybe this is the thread.

I read the forum almost daily since starting my -8 almost a year ago. What troubles me are questions posted that indicate the poster shouldn't be building aircraft. Now sometimes a question only sounds dumb until it is brought into context, but I've read questions that clearly indicate the poster is intoxicated or simply a fool.

This forum is a wonderful place, well managed and invaluable to all builders and buyers of Vans Aircraft. But do we have any responsibility to point out or maybe even discourage an incapable builder?

I know many have had the same thoughts. Maybe even about a thread I started. Then again maybe this isn't the place. Hopefully those with questionable build skills are better pilots and not a danger to anyone.

If this was a forum about basket weaving or gardening it would be different but these people are sharing airspace with innocent people.

Rant over.
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  #19  
Old 01-17-2014, 05:50 AM
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Blain, I agree somewhat.

We have a builder in our area that looks like his airplane was built with the " if it doesn't fit, get a bigger hammer" theory. I'm not sure that his airplane is airworthy or that he even had it inspected. However, it's flying. I have also been to a flyin, specifically the old, long-gone yearly RV Lakeland flyin, many years ago and saw an RV that was unbelievably shabby. We all wondered if it was a static display because it didn't look like it would hold together long enough to have been flown in.

Question is: do we have the responsibility to question/report others work or do we just fill in the accident investigators?
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  #20  
Old 01-17-2014, 06:22 AM
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At times I catch myself obsessing over a mark I cant get just right on a 1/32" measurement and I have to tell myself, "It's as close as I can get it!"........ I have been tweaking my canopy frame for a while. After reading a ton of posts and articles on the subject beforehand, I promised myself I would not spend months on this step as some of the nightmares I read about. I have it close to where I want it and I will force myself to move on. I think building this plane is like living your life, you have to compromise at times. Knowing when to compromise and when not to is the key.
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