Message-ID: <37710C67.BE295BFE@regandesigns.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 09:33:43 -0700
From: Brent Regan <brent@regandesigns.com>
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Subject: Re: hydraulic pump intermittent activation
References: <19990623044245.AAA14480@truman.olsusa.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0

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The first rule for diagnosing a problem is to keep an open mind.
Attributing a problem to the device that fails without investigating
and determining the cause of the failure will likely allow the problem
to recur. When faced with a recurring problem, blaming the manufacturer
for selling you "crap" won't fix the problem either.

Looking at the facts we have a device (the dump valve) that has failed
and two replacement valves have also failed. A different part doesn't
fail. Several aircraft have a similar problem. Most do not.

We can deduce that either there is a manufacturing defect in all three
valves, the valves are of marginal design for this application,
or conditions exist in the affected aircraft that are causing the valves
to fail. Since the first conclusion is statistically unlikely we can
assume that it is one or both of the others. The valves are sensitive
to dirt and there is dirt in the system.

I have no affiliation with Lancair. I have never been an employee of
theirs. I am only interested in the facts. I would not blindly defend
them nor would I blindly accuse them.  Consider this, Lancair delivers a
big box of parts to untrained labor that bangs away at them, basically
unsupervised, for a couple of years until a large, complex, unique
electro mechanical device is produced. It is roughly equivalent
to Sony selling you a VCR as a box of parts and letting you put it together.
Many builders have been successful. All have had some problem at some
time. It is not reasonable to assume that all problems are Lancair's.  Most
problems are associated with a builder not fully understanding
the intent of what they are doing. I isn't anyone's fault.  I am sorry that
Jim has chosen not to participate in this forum and I hope, for his safety,
that he changes his hydraulic oil and inspects the reservoir for FOC
before he has a pump failure and a gear up landing.

Regards
Brent Regan


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