Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001 19:55:04 EST
From: RWolf99@aol.com
Subject: Professional Builders
To: <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
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In a message dated Tue, 30 Oct 2001  3:03:38 AM Eastern Standard Time, lancair.list@olsusa.com (Lancair) writes:
> 
> I think that for those of us who seek a third party to assist us in 
> completing a Lancair either wholly or in part, we MUST investigate the 
> individual throughly to determine the quality of their work and their track 
> record in terms of fiscal responsibility and safety.

Well, duh.  The question is, how should we do that?  This is not really within the purview of the factory, who would in effect be issuing endorsements to builder assist centers.  However, Lancair has taken the admirable stance of inspecting finished planes prior to first flight, and that's good.  However, it's too late in the process for someone searching for a shop, unless the factory inspects already completed airplanes built by the prospective, er, assister.

Well, should the factory do this?  Probably not, but somebody should.  There is a growing list of persons eminently qualified to inspect Lancairs built by an individual you want to hire.  To name a few, Mike DeHate, Charlie Kohler, Doug Weeldryer (sp?) and I've probably left out a few names here, but you get the idea.  You could pay them to inspect a previous Lancair built by your intended subcontractor.

Failing that, why not bring your local EAA Tech Counselor over to the shop and check it out first hand?

And there's always word of mouth.  I'll give a glowing endorsement to Aircrafters in Watsonville CA.  Skip Slater will give a glowing endorsement of Jake Ore in San Diego.  Walter Dodson in Tehachapi has done some of the best work for hire that I've ever seen, though he doesn't run a center per se.

Concerning owners who are not builders, isn't this what a pre-purchase inspection by an A&P is supposed to be for?  To make sure you don't have a nicely-painted deathtrap?

Okay, so there's a few suggestions.  Now, let me get on a soapbox about paying someone to build your airplane for you.  That's not what homebuilding is supposed to be about.  You're supposed to do it yourself, although you can get help on occasion.  You can even lead a team of people who are collectively building it, as long as you play an active and dominant role. (okay, I'll admit I don't know the legal wording.)  What you are NOT supposed to do is send checks to someone 2000 miles away and pick up the plane when it is done.  That's what airplane factories (not kitplane factories) are for, and why we have FAR Part 23 type and production certificates.

But what about buying a finished airplane from the builder?  That's okay, right?  Of course!

So somebody tell me the difference between paying someone beforehand to build an airplane for you, and having that same person build an airplane and then deciding to sell it to you when he is done?  With respect to flying safety, there's no difference at all.  Well, that's not the only double standard I have, and I realize that withholding payment until it's done is just not feasible.  Hmmm.  I have a moral dilemma.  Oh well, it's not the first.

Yes, I know it's better to have qualified builders build the airplanes that we want to buy, rather than build.  Even if it isn't legally according to Hoyle.  I may be opinionated, but I don't think I'm stupid.

- Rob Wolf

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