Message-Id: <199812051614.LAA19694@smtp13.bellglobal.com>
From: "Ian B. Crowe" <ian.crowe@sympatico.ca>
To: "Marvin Kaye" <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Subject: Manuals
Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 11:18:08 -0500
Mime-Version: 1.0

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I am a Canadian 320 builder without any EAA chapter within 120 miles.  I am
also a pilot and an engineer.  I say go ahead and build.  Orin Riddell at
the factory will always take the time to answer your queries on the 320 and
there always is more than one way to do a job.  He has built the plane
himself and knows.  Sure the manuals are not perfect.  In many years of
maintenance engineering I have read many manuals that confuse although I am
certain the technical writer understood them perfectly.  My advice on
building is never remove any material until you have to and a mock up with
hot glue to test the correct assembly is worth a lot of hours if you have
ever finally assembled it wrongly.  There is no substitute for good common
sense and those engineers who have never actually had their hands on live
machinery should try to stay away from getting too technical,  it can get
in their way.  

This forum is superb, we have the benefit of some highly qualified
engineers in various disciplines,  hands on builders and even the hard
critics of the factory play a great role.  We are lucky indeed to have this
forum.  If you can get into contact with the EAA technical counsellor and
flight advisor scheme you will be well set to start.  Remember the Lancair
is the devil you know through following our trials and tribulations.  The
devil you do not know may be worse.

One thing is for certain this is a learning experience bar none and it can
be fun, frustrating and very rewarding when you finally get it right.  My
fear is that I will go into post partum depression once I have finished.


Ian Crowe