Why not buy your own mandrels and make your own conductive 303 hoses? As long a you follow the instructions, use lube, start the threads with pressure from an arbor press and blow test them both directions you will be good to go. And have more tools at your disposal.
303 Hose is a rubber lined hose that is bulky/stiff compared to conductive teflon. In addition to having a life limit, the cost of fabricating a 303 hose is more expensive than ordering a prefabricated conductive teflon assembly.
Let's use a -6 hose with straight hose ends and a length of 24" and no firesleeve as our sample. (Once you add in firesleeve or use 45/90 degree fittings some of the prices on the 303, 666, and Earls hoses get very expensive in a hurry)
1. Example 1- 303 Style Hose -
Total cost of hose assembly is $87.50 and you still have to assemble it and it is not pressure tested (Pre assembled is $98.76)
$16.50 foot for hose material ($33 total)
491-6 Fittings qty 2 at $27.25 each ($54.50 total)
2. Example 2 - AS Flightlines assembly -
Total Cost of Hose Assembly $81.62
- Conductive teflon hose
-Stainless hose ends/certified AN nuts
-Pressure tested,
- Data tagged
-10 year warranty
-On condition replacement.
3. Example 3- Aeroquip 666 conductive teflon hose - Total Cost of Hose Assembly is $271.00 and you still have to assemble it and it is not pressure tested (Pre Assembled with Crimp Fittings is $151.72)
$27.55/foot for hose ($55.10)
Stainless Hose ends reusable $107.95 each (Total $215.90)
For those builders that enjoy the process of fabricating their own assemblies, we have always recommended looking at a product called Earls Speedflex/Speedseal. This is a conductive teflon hose that is available with high quality stainless hose ends that can be field installed. For the time being, it is the only cost effective product that we would recommend that meets the same type of quality as an AS Flightlines Assembly for those wanting to build themselves.
4.
Example 4- Earls Speedflex/SpeedSeal - Total cost of hose assembly is $87.90 and you still have to assemble it and it is not pressure tested
-6 Hose is $9/foot
-6 straight fittings are $34.95 each
Aircraft Specialty Flightlines has traditionally been slightly more expensive than 303 style hose and the Speedseal/Speedflex assemblies. However, we have been able to very carefully control our costs over the past few years and it has put us into a position where we have not only the highest quality assemblies for experimental aircraft in the market today, but also the most cost effective. While we do anticipate price increases from time to time, we are very conscious of costs and how they impact the builder community.
With that said, there are some alternatives out there that are slightly less expensive. In the industrial market, one can find rubber or non conductive teflon hoses. A lot of fittings/collars are not made of stainless steel and no one in the industrial market utilizes stamped certified AN nuts with class 3 threads. The conductive nature of the hoses is absolutely critical to ensuring the longevity of the hose assembly as Tom mentioned above. We also have always recommended that all firewall forward hoses are firesleeved. As the OEM supplier of Firewall Forward hoses to VANS for the past several years, we have partnered to bring all integral firesleeve hose assemblies for all VANS firewall forward hoses.
For those builders that are doing something outside of the plans or have a need for custom length assemblies, we are always enthusiastic about helping you come up with solutions for the perfect hose fit in your aircraft.
As always, thank you to the Vans community for an incredible 10+ years. We look forward to a lot of good times to come.
Steve and Tom
