Elevator trim screw - making new

[Robert Lees]

We're making a batch of new trim screws here in the UK, if anyone is interested in joining us. Suitable for those thinking of a project, or re-covering the elevators at some future date. They are unavailable from the factory. These are the elevator internal components that are usually worn, and suffer from lack of maintenance because they are buried inside the port elevator, and is usually the cause of trim slop.


Both the brass male and steel female will be made, as a pair. Pictures of the new components:





and where they fit:



FAA owner-produced parts rules will apply, in that you would be responsible for the final quality-control upon receipt/installation.

Cost per set will be £170.00 Sterling for a set plus any mailing cost.

PM or email me for firm orders by Thursday 15 January 2009.

Rob

[flyguy]

Re: Elevator trim screw - making new

Very nice.

Question: I thought I understood that "owner made" parts required that the OWNER had to be in charge of the manufacturing requirements, paperwork, Q.A., ect. That is, I would have to specify to the Mfgr. how the part was made for MY aircraft. If done for a group of owners would not you have to be part of the initial group in order to claim control of the manufacturing?
Darryl

[3Dreaming]

Re: Elevator trim screw - making new

If you tell him by the 15th you will be part of the group of owners having the parts made, so you will have the say so. He didn't say they are making extras to sell. Tom

Very nice.

Question: I thought I understood that "owner made" parts required that the OWNER had to be in charge of the manufacturing requirements, paperwork, Q.A., ect. That is, I would have to specify to the Mfgr. how the part was made for MY aircraft. If done for a group of owners would not you have to be part of the initial group in order to claim control of the manufacturing?
Darryl

[VictorBravo]

Re: Elevator trim screw - making new

Perhaps those owners who are having their owner-manufactured parts made should send in a detailed order setting forth the specifications, description, materials, and dimensions of the parts which they are directing Rob Lees to build.

Rob will then have a specific set of instructions and dimensions which he can follow to produce these parts to the owners' exact specifications.

More importantly, both Rob and the individual owners will thus have a valid written record of the FAA-approved process under which these parts were made.

As I've mentioned more than once on this Forum, this process is available to us with the blessing of the FAA, and if we operate within the appropriate regulation on owner-produced parts we can keep our airplanes flying with safety and convenience.

The FAA knows that not every owner is a machinist or a welder or a fabricator, and they were generous enough to allow for this when writing the rules for owner-produced parts. All we need to do is put things in their correct order and make sure one very critical paperwork step is in place. This protects everyone involved, keeps everything on the right side of the line, and makes it so we can have better quality replacement parts.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Elevator trim screw - making new

For an owner produced part you have to substantively do ONE of the parts of the process, not all of them. You can make the specification, design the part, manufacture it, or QA it. When I do an OP part I like to do multiple sections, just in case I get a "persnickety" inspector who thinks I didn't "participate" enough, but you don't have to. If you are worried about it, just talk to whoever is going to sign off the install ahead of time.
Hank

[flyguy]

Re: Elevator trim screw - making new

Good outline of process Hank, thanks. Appreciate other comments on my question too. If I can be lazy here can anyone mention any good reference documentation covering this subject for some guidance before I start looking?
Darryl

[Ron Greene]

Re: Elevator trim screw - making new

Good article here starting on page 11.

http://www.faa.gov/news/aviation_news/2001/media/julyAug2001.pdf

[Ron Greene]

Re: Elevator trim screw - making new

Another reprinted from FAA Aviation News.

http://www.iflyamerica.org/ownerproducedparts.asp

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Elevator trim screw - making new

NOTHING beats using an exact quote from the FAA. MUCH better than quoting me (which will probably not impress the FAA at all).

From page 15 of http://www.faa.gov/news/aviation_new...ulyAug2001.pdf

Five requirements
1 Provide the manufacturer with the design or performance data from which to make the part, or
2 Provide the manufacturer with the materials to make the part, or
3 Provide the manufacturer with fabrication processes or assembly methods to make the part, or
4 Provide the quality control procedures to make the part, or
5 Personally supervise the manufacture of the part.

I think on number 1 you need to make sure you have the quote from the FAA followed by a signed (by you, the manufacturer and the FAA person who will be signing your plane off) data sheet. No misunderstandings BEFORE the part is made.
Number 2 is harder. You are going to probably be asked to provide a "heritage" for the material to prove it is what you say it is. Even a lab report is hard to use since you can't prove the material in your hand is the material on the report. I haven't used this since it seems pretty useless to me (the proof for the FAA, NOT the personal knowledge I got the right material).
If you are going to use 3 or 4, do it like number 1. Get your ducks in a row and everyone involved to sign BEFORE you make the part.
I'm not sure how to prove number 5. Pictures of you with a set of mics and a magnifying glass looking at the part while being made?
The parts I have done, I did the drawings (in proper engineering format with signatures) that includes a materials requirement, and manufacture and quality inspection process. I sign as the designer and if I can get a P.E. buddy to sign the “checked” section that’s even better. If at all possible, I then take a hands-on part in manufacture (photos in front of a running lathe are kind of fun in the project scrap book).
Remember you only need ONE to qualify for OPP. I just like doing all I can and it’s fun to not have ANY challenges from my IA. It’s my baby! I want to do it RIGHT.
Hank
Great link Ron!

[flyguy]

Re: Elevator trim screw - making new

It's all on the hard drive now. Thanks.

Certification of materials. Have to think about that some.

Darryl

[N74DV]

Re: Elevator trim screw - making new

I could sure use those trim screw parts right about now. My 66 year old parts have wore out nearly completely. My machinist can make one with me but I'd prefer to buy one already made. Anyone know of some laying around?