My IA is slowing down :(

[mhorowit]

I visited my IA at lunch today to discuss my welding ("those welds are better than mine") and his thoughts on approaching the cluster, the landing gear, major and minor repairs ("let's put it all on one 337"), and some other items. He just came off of a bout of pneumonia and he's looking sort of frail. I'm a little worried for his health. There could come a time when he might not be able to get around. I need to think ahead.

Has anyone else faced this situation and were there any concerns about passing the baton from one IA to another? Do I need to somehow document what he and I have agreed upon? - MikeH.

[Ray36048]

Re: My IA is slowing down

Yes, everytime your AI inspects something on your project airplane you should have him put a note and sign off in the logs.

Many years ago I was recovering a Champ. The AI inspected the bones and said OK, cover it. He then got fired from the shop. Without and documentions on the inspection I had to hunt the guy down to get everyjthing signed off. Because he was mad at his former employer that I was do business with, he charged me an $100 for doing the paper work.

While working on a project you need to keep the log books current and you need to stay current with the AI money wise.

[NY86]

Re: My IA is slowing down

Mike:

I'd try to get him to fill out the 337 and sign off anything that is complete. If you can get him to fill out (but not sign off) another 337(s) describing the work you have agreed on, that would probably help should you end up having to find someone else to do the sign-off. Also, make sure you can site or produce any approved data he used to justify the work.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: My IA is slowing down

It's a touchy subject Mike. I know, I was in the same one. This guy has become a trusted friend and his health isn't what it once was. Not exactly nice to make him feel like you are saying, "Hey Joe, you're not looking so good. Mind filling in all my paperwork so if you fly west early I don't get stuck?"
That was just what happened to me. I did a complete major on an A-65-8. The IA had all the books and said he was logging everything as we did it. The engine is all assembled and ready to run. Guess what? He died of a heart attack! The loss of him was bad enough, but he hadn't put a single note down on what we had done. I hate it that when I think of him it is always with that hanging over our friendship. I got ROYALLY SCREWED in the whole thing. It's NOT that I blame him for dying, I really miss him, but the engine always pops into my head when I think of him, and I don't like that. He was a good friend.
I have a new IA who WILL NOT sign off the engine, BUT he will tear it down with me and we can put it together again for basically the cost of a set of seals and our labor.
I would suggest you tell him YOU have trouble keeping everything you do well documented and you DON'T want another RH Brake problem (where YOU didn't get it approved prior to doing it, get it?). Then you have an excuse to make sure each step is approved and initialed off prior to doing it, and he can sign off for each step as it is done. You can use the "recent unpleasantness" as an excuse to get everything kept up to date and at the same time not come off as a ghoul only wanting to protect your interests in the face of his much greater potential loss.
Sparing his feelings is the right thing to do for your friend. Protecting your interests isn't ghoulish, it's the right thing to do too. You have a way to do both.
Hank

I think if you loose him, you re going to REALLY miss him. He sounds like a Peach. Hope he recovers quickly.

[NY86]

Re: My IA is slowing down

I'm sending all my paperwork to Hank...

[mhorowit]

Re: My IA is slowing down

It's a touchy subject Mike.

Hank - you hit it on the nail. Thanks for being able to read between the lines.
It was not an easy message to post. - Mike

[N96337]

Re: My IA is slowing down

That's a real tough issue Mike....on the flip side of that coin, I had my best friend die when I had 2 of his airplanes in my shop...we both knew what we wanted to do about everything, but the guys that took it upon themselves to "help" his widow didn't know anything about our plans. In a nutshell, I got the shaft.
I'd have your IA at least do a 337 on everything you've gotten done so far, and sign it off... then you're in the clear. That's just one more reason lumping them all on one 337 isn't such a great idea....sometimes details and stuff get lost before it's all done.
JH

[mhorowit]

Re: My IA is slowing down

How about this? I draft a document describing the work to be done and get his OK. The wording would be exactly the same as would appear in the 'Description of Work Accomplished' section of the 337. Using something separate from the 337 seems to me would emphasize this is a planning document, not a description of work completed, and it wouldn't look like I was pushing a 337 under his pen. As JH suggests, not as good as a 337, but does show what my IA had intended. Anyone have any thoughts on this rainy Saturday morning?- Mike

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: My IA is slowing down

The "list" is a great idea. You could do it in a spreadsheet with each activity on an individual line. The IA gets to make exactly the wording he wants on your print out and you enter it in the spread as your record to keep things straight. As soon as any activity is agreed on, you transfer the information to a 337 and put it in your binder. He signs it off as soon as it's done.
The beauty is there is a clean list of all information in the spreadsheet and the 337s are all filled out so you don't have anything covered up so far that someone else couldn't come in and see that you had done it right. When your plane is done you have a really nice history of EVERYTHING you did to rebuild your plane.
Hank

I think I'll start putting one together today.

[Chet Peek]

Re: My IA is slowing down

From an 88 year-old IA. Feed him lots of vitamins and get him a young girl friend.

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: My IA is slowing down

Chet: I love your style.

Carl

[N96337]

Re: My IA is slowing down

How about this? I draft a document describing the work to be done and get his OK. The wording would be exactly the same as would appear in the 'Description of Work Accomplished' section of the 337. Using something separate from the 337 seems to me would emphasize this is a planning document, not a description of work completed, and it wouldn't look like I was pushing a 337 under his pen. As JH suggests, not as good as a 337, but does show what my IA had intended. Anyone have any thoughts on this rainy Saturday morning?- Mike

Mike, it's not really worth the paper it's written on. Until that 337 is signed, it's worthless. You might get someone to "buy it off"...but it's not gonna be easy... and if your luck runs like my luck does, something will happen just before it's signed... and alot of that will be covered up and hidden. Regardless, at the very least it's going to cost you more $$ to have someone else come in and get things approved...when you've already paid for that. Get him to sign stuff off as you go...it's easier on BOTH of you! That being said... Chet's idea certainly does have some merit!!!
JH