Safety Is #1 in my book
Hmmmmm this flap pushrod thing really got out of hand for some reason. All I have to say is that SAFETY IS #1 IN MY BOOK. How many of you have purchased a VAN'S RV airplane already flying??????? Those that did listen up because you have no clue who tapped the flap pushrods, you don't know if they used the right size tap, you don't know if they used the correct type of lubricant for tapping aluminum, you don't know if they were tapped in a lathe or by hand. I almost lost a very good friend because of this Flap Pushrod issue. Yes he survived and I saw the RV-6 and it was mangled to JUNK. It was in Dodge City, KS The failure caused one flap to raise and the other stayed down, it happened so fast that he had no control and it cartwheel down the runway. There is NOTHING WRONG WITH VAN'S DESIGNED FLAP PUSHROD TUBES. It is the FAULT OF THE BUILDER who tapped them incorrectly / not straight or allowed them to rub when the flaps go up or down because the hole they pass through wasn't cut big enough. Yes the round Aluminum .3125" pushrods are plenty strong as I've talked to VAN's about it and have done the math myself. How many builders have alodined or treated the insides of the aluminum pushrods to prevent corrosion??? Just like all of the other Aluminum tubes on the Airplane need treated. I've looked at 100's of RV's with the flaps down and I can't believe that some pilots fly their RV's with these pushrods rubbing or either slightly buckled or the heim joint is only engaged a few threads or not tapped straight. I've even seen some that were dented, how they got dents in them I don't know, but .031" wall thickness is just cheap. Why build a $100,000 airplane and put a .50cent piece in this area???? Does not make since to me. It's all about paying attention to detail and doing the job right the first time. Not everyone has a presision lathe either. Why put a pair of lightweight pieces of aluminum in the area,,,, what are you saving 2 ounces of weight, WOW big deal!!! With the 4130 flap pushrod tubes if machined correctly you just don't have to worry about them. The NTSB reports do not list two other failures because they were not reported,,,,no pilots license, no insurance, get the picture. Builders / flyers do whatever you want but SAFETY IS #1. It's not about saving 2 ounces of weight. Install the 4130 pushrod tubes or call Van's and order the HEX aluminum and upgrade them. The .3125" O.D. round pushrods I feel should be replaced if there is a question about them, they are fine if tapped and installed correctly. Cheap insurance in my opinion.