Don Patrick
Well Known Member
Before I begin a massive rant about Andair, has anyone else had issues with them recently?
Don
Don
Before I begin a massive rant about Andair, has anyone else had issues with them recently?
Don
That doesn't sound good, what seems to be the problem? I have just ordered a fuel valve from them in England.
If yours are like mine, they are smaller than the standard Van's standard. They may have made more models. Here are some photos of mine:I have an Andair question.
My kit came with tanks built, Andair locking caps installed, and - I discovered later - no keys that the previous owner could account for. Andair has no record of key numbers that might go with my tanks, and their advice was to build a gear-puller like device attaching to the caps by tapped holes and literally rip the caps free destroying them in the process.
I have a lock pick set on order and won't hesitate to call a locksmith and pay his fee if I fail. I'm not keen on replacing these caps with more new Andairs (cost and wait time) if for any reason I can't get these out in one piece and somehow get them re-keyed. Do these caps fit in a standard size filler neck, or does the presence of an Andair cap mean I have a unique sized filler neck and have to stay with their caps?
I "lost" the keys to my Andair gas caps near the end of my RV-10 build and ended up having a locksmith come to my hanger to pick the caps open. They were able to order some special key blanks that worked and cut them for me. All in, I think it was just around a $150 bill for me. I found those original keys in my build shop behind a shelving unit about 6 years later.I have an Andair question.
My kit came with tanks built, Andair locking caps installed, and - I discovered later - no keys that the previous owner could account for. Andair has no record of key numbers that might go with my tanks, and their advice was to build a gear-puller like device attaching to the caps by tapped holes and literally rip the caps free destroying them in the process.
I have a lock pick set on order and won't hesitate to call a locksmith and pay his fee if I fail. I'm not keen on replacing these caps with more new Andairs (cost and wait time) if for any reason I can't get these out in one piece and somehow get them re-keyed. Do these caps fit in a standard size filler neck, or does the presence of an Andair cap mean I have a unique sized filler neck and have to stay with their caps?
I "lost" the keys to my Andair gas caps near the end of my RV-10 build and ended up having a locksmith come to my hanger to pick the caps open. They were able to order some special key blanks that worked and cut them for me. All in, I think it was just around a $150 bill for me. I found those original keys in my build shop behind a shelving unit about 6 years later.
Along the locking caps line...has anyone had fuel siphon/ stolen? I never even pondered the idea. Unless there is another reason I?m missing.
R
Can't speak for everyone, but I heard from several builders that the standard Van's caps leak and get stiff. Probably just a maintenance issue, but I bought the locking caps not to prevent theft or tampering, but just because of the quality of the cap. They are pretty nice looking caps, I think.I'm probably the only one who doesn't get this, but why locking fuel caps on an airplane? If I'm going to steal fuel, why not just put a bucket under the fuel drain and let 'er rip? ....
Can't speak for everyone, but I heard from several builders that the standard Van's caps leak and get stiff. Probably just a maintenance issue, but I bought the locking caps not to prevent theft or tampering, but just because of the quality of the cap. They are pretty nice looking caps, I think.
Can't speak for everyone, but I heard from several builders that the standard Van's caps leak and get stiff. Probably just a maintenance issue, but I bought the locking caps not to prevent theft or tampering, but just because of the quality of the cap. They are pretty nice looking caps, I think.
I found myself ranting about a certain experimental vendor once at OSH at the beer social... a wiser man than me stated (very well I might add over several IPAs) "our vendors are unique and operate in an uncertain, often tough to forecast world. Most are as odd as us who choose to build airplanes in our garages... As such, most are just as eclectic or more so." I thought about that for a bit.... drank another beer and decided - I can fly these unique planes because of the very unique people supplying me. I can certainly put up with a bit of odd ball business practices and show some compassion for them...after all, they are probably operating on a shoestring budget, and are family driven like I am. The timeless phrase from stripes comes to mind often when I think they should be as responsive as autozone or Walmart (God forbid)....."Lighten up Francis!!!"