I found your note on the liability waiver and refusal to provide instructions an interesting position by Lancair.  I'd like to expand the topic and make a few comments about owners being able to maintain their aircraft in an airworthy condition.  I have personal and group involvement in this matter with certified aircraft.

For decades the alphabet groups and FAA and manufacturers have been fighting over the FARs that requires type certificated US aircraft manufacturers to make available airworthiness instructions to the "owner" so that the aircraft can be maintained in an airworthy condition at all times.  This means instructions, parts availability, CRMs and more.  Many manufacturers have gone to extremes to satisfy that requirement.

Some firms like Airbus do not want to disclose proprietary data and have purposely not adhered to the FARs in this respect and forced owners to overhaul or replace parts at great expense.  Those battles continue.   Conversely, companies like Beech and Cessna have long made the parts and data available and Cessna will even cross-reference Cessna part numbers for original part numbers so you can go source the original or generic part needed  (o-rings, motors, brushes etc).  King Air landing gear (for example) is arguably more complex than an ESCO strut but the Beech gear can:

 a) be exchanged at Beech or

 b) sent to any shop of your choice qualified in that category or

 c) repaired and overhauled in your own hangar.

That's because Beech makes available to owners and shops all the Component Repair Manuals and instructions needed to accomplish the tasks.

While Lancairs may be different because of the experimental category, these aircraft must still be maintained in an airworthy condition.  Therefore, I would argue that Lancair should make the data available to any owner or shop so that Lancairs can be maintained in an airworthy condition whether it be repairs, overhauls, inspections or whatever is needed to ensure airworthiness.  Those procedures and the parts necessary to maintain them are part of what makes the Lancair an airplane--not just the original kit.

If I were running the ship, I'd do whatever I can to make the operating costs for Lancairs as low as possible.  I'd publish and sell a complete set of manuals for overhaul and repair instructions (as TCM does for the engine) plus I'd offer to perform the work in-house as well (if that makes sense).  That makes for a very happy owner group and keeps costs under control and allows everyone in the world to maintain an airworthy airplane.

It is the owner's airplane, the owner's strut and the owner's responsibility to maintain it in an airworthy condition.  The data to keep it airworthy is not proprietary and should not be locked away in someone else's cabinet.  That's just wrong.

I could be wrong but I look forward to comments on that position and I suggest anyone looking to buy any airplane simply ask where all the instructions for continued airworthiness reside.   The answers can be revealing.

Paul

On 24 September 2013 04:19, Valin & Allyson Thorn <thorn@starflight.aero> wrote:

Paul,

Normally this work is done by Lancair and that is their strong preference.  We wanted to do it ourselves for its educational value.  After some deliberations, Lancair agreed and required us signing a liability waiver and they would provide absolutely no instructions but would sell us the seals.