Activity Updates 2019

It has been a long time since I've updated this site.  My main excuse is that Life Happens.  God has blessed me with many activities to keep me busy.  He continues blessing me with expanded capabilities and talents.  Prioritizing my time has been a challenge. God and Family always come first.  My work focus is on both my day job at RAM Aircraft, LP and my side business of Certified Aeronautical Products, LLC. 

2019 is over half over but it and the past couple of years have been productive.   On the work front, here are the significant milestones that enable expanded service offerings and continue challenging me to stay involved in recent certification trends.

EXPANDED DER AUTHORITY: 

ENGINES - Chart E - added B1 which is for detail design of piston engine parts. 

My work experience in this area have been primarily on Continental 4 and 6-cylinder engines. A partial list includes:

• Pistons, Piston Rings, Rocker Arms, Valve Guides, Push Rods
• Crankcase, Through-Bolts, Studs, Oil Squirters, Bushings, Plugs, etc. 
• Gears, Gear-shafts, Worm Gears, Pumping gears, Clutch gears, Camshafts, Connecting Rods
• Housings / Castings - Oil Pump, Scavenge Pump, Tachometer Gear-Box, Push rod tubes, rocker covers
• Processes: Casting, Carburizing, Aluminum Alloys, Tin Plate, Conversion Coat, Phosphate coatings, Crankcase Welding Repairs, Engine Balance

RS-DER - Added for all technical disciplines.  Enables support of repair stations and other maintenance providers with approval of multiple-use repairs (can be applied across multiple serial numbers and models of engines or aircraft). 

Here's a partial list of my work experience in this area:

• Engine repairs such as crankcase welding, under-size parts, oversize parts, bushing renewal back to standard
• Airframe repairs such as axle sleeves, steel tube weld repairs, engine isolators (rubber mount bushings), composite repair, wooden structure repair.

FAA & INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES

Over the past three years, I have attended the 2017, 2018 (and planning for 2019) FAA General Aviation Engine Summit, held at the FAA Engine Directorate in Boston, MA.  This is an opportunity for industry and FAA to have dialog about design and safety concerns with reciprocating engine certification.  The meeting is attended by OEM representatives from Textron-Lycoming, Continental Motors, Hartzell, and others.  Also on hand are FAA-PMA holders like Superior Air Parts and RAM Aircraft.  Presentations are generally made by FAA, NTSB, AOPA, and others.

Last year, I attended the 2018 Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) Seminar hosted by the FAA Chicago Aircraft Certification Office (ACO).  This was a unique opportunity for PMA holders to dialog with FAA over PMA policy updates, current issues, recent trends, foreign validation and other important topics.

This year I accepted an invitation to present two forum topics at the 60th Anniversary National Waco Club Reunion.  Topics were "Legal Parts for Vintage Airplanes" and "DER approval - What is it? Do I need it? and How it is done."  The audience included talented restorers, owners, A&P mechanics, IA inspectors, and other vintage airplane enthusiasts.  This generated some very interesting discussions and dialog.

Also this year I am planning another forum presentation at the National AAA-APM Fly-in at Blakesburg, IA on Thursday August 29th.  This will likely be a combination of the two topics I gave at the Waco fly-in.  But I will probably close with an open discussion on the future FAA-EAA-MOSAIC proposal.  I expect an active discussion on this topic.


NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR VINTAGE AIRPLANES

A significant segment of my work as a DER has been in the area of implementing new technology into older airplanes.  Here are some of my recent projects:

Electrical Systems

• ADS-B and other modern solid state Transceivers etc. - Although the details of certification of "avionics" are outside of my DER authority, I have been involved in approving electrical system architecture updates to allow provisions for implementation of ADS-B and other avionics components.
• LED Lighting - Some of my approvals have implemented Interior and Exterior LED lights with flash controllers/sync systems.  These greatly reduce current draw and provide for safer night flying for sure. 
• Lightweight Starters and Alternators - though no longer considered "new" technology, the implementation of such components into an older aircraft can certainly feel like a whole new experience.  Many restorers are greatly improving and enhancing safety in old airplane electrical systems with today's available technology.  Low energy consumption is the result and it can make a big difference.

Mechanical Systems

• Hydraulic Brakes and new wheels - not really "new" technology, however there are some really high quality components out there these days.  I have assisted many restorers with upgrades in this area. It is a great investment to rid an old airplane of worn out parts with which we are seeing more and more problems. 

There is a lot going on with Aircraft Certification work these days.  I do my best to stay in the game and remain available to service the needs of industry.

Look me up at RAM Aircraft LP or at Certified Aeronautical Products, LLC.