Posted for Mike Larkin <legacyl2k@gmail.com>:

> Steve,
>
> Really, have you ever opened one if these up?  I have, it's very basic.  A
> modern motorcycle strut is much more complicated.  The bottom line is I
> should be able to buy wear parts from Lancair!  I should not be told that
> you wont sell me parts you have on hand.
>
> Attached are some interior photos of a nose strut.  I have part numbers and
> local suppliers for all the needed wear parts.  And I made the special tool
> used to take the strut apart. Total cost $25.
>
> Mike Larkin
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 25, 2013 at 9:22 AM, Steve Colwell <mcmess1919@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> I’m with Colyn on this, if Lancair wants to keep Strut repair in house I
>> don’t think it is about revenue on Struts.  At the last Lancair fly-in in
>> Redmond a few years ago, Scott Decker who was the strut specialist, walked
>> us thru the many running changes that had been made.  There are a lot of
>> ways to screw up if you do-it-yourself.  ****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Steve Colwell  Legacy RG****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> *From:* Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] *On Behalf Of
>> *Colyn Case
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 25, 2013 7:59 AM
>> *To:* Lancair Mailing List
>> *Subject:* [LML] Re: Undeliverable mail: Re: [LML] Re: Question on Legacy
>> MG Strut****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> I'm not sure of all the issues here but I can imagine Lancair needing to
>> make tough decisions where to put their resources.   In any case, I suspect
>> more money flows into Lancair from the President than flows out.****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> On Sep 25, 2013, at 7:51 AM, Mike's Gmail wrote:****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> The funny thing!  I use to be able to buy seal kits from Lancair.  Now
>> that the President of Lancair owns the landing gear company, you no longer
>> can.  In my world we call that a monopoly or conflict of interest.  Not
>> very good for business.  ****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> A hangar mate across the way got so pissed about this he just sold his ES.
>>  Said if you can work with the company that made your airplane parts I'm
>> selling, and he did!****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Mike Larkin****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> 424LL
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone****
>>
>>
>> On Sep 24, 2013, at 2:30 PM, Paul Miller <pjdmiller@gmail.com> wrote:****
>>
>> 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.****
>>
>> ** **
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Mike Larkin
> LarkinAviationConsulting
> LegacyL2K@gmail.com
> 602-770-6054