grubbat
Well Known Member
With the recent tragic events that have occurred within the VAF community, I have found myself thinking about the process of sharing information among the RV community and how it is disseminated. Specifically as it pertains safety whether it be structural or otherwise. While the RV basic designs has been around for a couple of decades now, it is still relatively new and over time we will learn about potential maintenance areas through Service Bulletins from Vans on their website, through information sharing here on VAF, through word of mouth, or maybe from some other venue. Unfortunately, a primary catalyst for this is going to be more tragic events in the future involving our fellow RV friends.
So, how does this process actually work? In the certified world, the FAA will issue an AD or SB once all information is gathered, analyzed, and a determination is made. Sometimes this information takes time to release, sometimes the information is off the mark, but for the most part it has been a process that has been unchanged for several years.
Is there a better way? Can the RV community improve upon this process and be a model for the experimental side of the aircraft world? Is there a way to improve the process of sharing information and provide it in a faster more efficient manner?
It is pretty obvious that the experiential are leading the way for the latest technology side of flying. A lot of the "certified" folks just dream of being able to have the stuff the experimental have. I believe that we have an opportunity to make changes to the information sharing process that will result in a more efficient flow and possibly be a model for the whole industry.
When I say improve the process, I am not talking about speculation, pointing fingers, or so forth.
For example, you just bought a RV-9. You have to do an annual (conditional) and so where do you go for information? Of course, Van's has a list of SB. Is that all you do? What about things that are not worthy of a SB but may be something that you need to be aware of? Do you go through all the RV-9 archives? Case in point is the RV9a steps. Does folks know that those things are prone to crack? Is there a SB on that? Nope. Is it important? Maybe to someone. Is it structural? Nope. Or how about the eyebolts on the elevator? Mr Paul Dye found some things on his RV-8 this past weekend that were eye openers. Did you see his post? If not, why not? In short, things that are loose that should be tight is not good. How does this information get to you?
I am not criticizing. I am a process improvement guy by trade and I know that information sharing can be improved. Even if we can't change the time it takes NTSB to release it findings on accidents, we can improve other information.
FYI, I don't have the answers, but I know that collectively, we have an opportunity to improve and lead the industry. I love my RV. I just don't want to learn about how to maintain it the way we always have in the past. Remember, insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result....
Can we improve the process?
So, how does this process actually work? In the certified world, the FAA will issue an AD or SB once all information is gathered, analyzed, and a determination is made. Sometimes this information takes time to release, sometimes the information is off the mark, but for the most part it has been a process that has been unchanged for several years.
Is there a better way? Can the RV community improve upon this process and be a model for the experimental side of the aircraft world? Is there a way to improve the process of sharing information and provide it in a faster more efficient manner?
It is pretty obvious that the experiential are leading the way for the latest technology side of flying. A lot of the "certified" folks just dream of being able to have the stuff the experimental have. I believe that we have an opportunity to make changes to the information sharing process that will result in a more efficient flow and possibly be a model for the whole industry.
When I say improve the process, I am not talking about speculation, pointing fingers, or so forth.
For example, you just bought a RV-9. You have to do an annual (conditional) and so where do you go for information? Of course, Van's has a list of SB. Is that all you do? What about things that are not worthy of a SB but may be something that you need to be aware of? Do you go through all the RV-9 archives? Case in point is the RV9a steps. Does folks know that those things are prone to crack? Is there a SB on that? Nope. Is it important? Maybe to someone. Is it structural? Nope. Or how about the eyebolts on the elevator? Mr Paul Dye found some things on his RV-8 this past weekend that were eye openers. Did you see his post? If not, why not? In short, things that are loose that should be tight is not good. How does this information get to you?
I am not criticizing. I am a process improvement guy by trade and I know that information sharing can be improved. Even if we can't change the time it takes NTSB to release it findings on accidents, we can improve other information.
FYI, I don't have the answers, but I know that collectively, we have an opportunity to improve and lead the industry. I love my RV. I just don't want to learn about how to maintain it the way we always have in the past. Remember, insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result....
Can we improve the process?