Toobuilder
Well Known Member
Some recent exchanges on this forum remind me that the information presented here is subject to a fine line between ?protecting the novice builder? and exploring more advanced ?experiments?. I get it. On the one hand we need to provide reliable information pertaining to assembling a safe, reliable kit aircraft, but on the other, many of us are aware that Van has strongly embraced a ?design to cost? philosophy and there is certainly room for improvement/optimization. For the trained engineers and others familiar with the industry, ?design to cost? is a valid and appropriate aerospace design concept ? but it does leave the door wide open for individual customers (us) to pick at some low hanging fruit. And very often that discussion ends up on this forum. Sometimes the ideas are batted about and their flaws are uncovered as legitimately unsafe, while other times they are often dismissed simply because ??Van didn?t design it that way??
With the understanding that people are people and some will attempt to ?win? an argument at any cost, I?m wondering if perhaps we can create an environment where legitimate discussions can take place concerning the pros and cons of a proposed change based upon individual merit, rather than whether Van did it that way. Currently, there are other forums which embrace this type of discussion, but this does come up often enough at VAF that I?m wondering if we could use another subforum ? a ??if you don?t know better, stick to the plans?? area where there is less risk of leading the novice astray?
Any thoughts?
With the understanding that people are people and some will attempt to ?win? an argument at any cost, I?m wondering if perhaps we can create an environment where legitimate discussions can take place concerning the pros and cons of a proposed change based upon individual merit, rather than whether Van did it that way. Currently, there are other forums which embrace this type of discussion, but this does come up often enough at VAF that I?m wondering if we could use another subforum ? a ??if you don?t know better, stick to the plans?? area where there is less risk of leading the novice astray?
Any thoughts?