Mailing List lml@lancaironline.net Message #2256
From: Stu Seffern <sseffern@Chorus.net>
Subject: Continental Engine Failures
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 1999 08:41:22 -0500
To: Lancair Group USA <lancair.list@olsusa.com>, Tom Ender <TomEnder@free-market.net>
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Rob, Stu is correct.

I understand the frustration created by the lack of quality in General
Aviation. When you spend that kind of money on an engine and it fails for
any reason we should be concerned.   Government controls on General
Aviation have made sure we don't see any improvements.  The only way to
improve the quality is to "change the process" to prevent defects.  You
can't
improve quality by inspection,  you will only catch a mistake not
prevent it.  The great engine manufactures of the world like Toyota and
Honda create processes that identify defects before they happen.  The
process will tell you if your producing defects, not inspection or more
government controls.    The process will guarantee that every engine will
start and will run according to design specifications.  General aviation
wouldn't have to put up will this crap if the government wasn't involved!
Competition would guarantee continuous improvement.   Certification only
guarantees that there will be no improvements for the life of that
product.

Gary K. Bacon
Mercury Marine Engines


Eliminate the incentive to produce improvements, nothing improves.  It would
cost upwards of 50 million dollars to certify a new water cooled aviation
engine.  Orenda's final price to buy?= $100,000 ea.  Infinitely expensive
does not equal 100% safe with Government regulated products.  At some point
safety is reduced by lack of innovation and reliance on the Government to
perform "effective" safety checks.  At some point consumers just get
expensive AND unsafe.

Stu.


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