Dave~What's the plan for FIFI?

[MX304]

An Airworthiness Certificate would not have mattered today with this WX. They would have needed an STC for floats. Tomorrow doesn't look like it will be any better.

[Obergrafeter]

At least you all aren't dealing with the San Antono FSDO. We would never see her in the air!

[CAPFlyer]

That is why you hire a Airworthiness DER early.

As has been said before - it doesn't matter when you hire them if the schedules don't mesh - you're SOL. Period. I know of several issuances (including 2 Part 121 AC's) that got delayed by MONTHS even though a DER was involved from the first day of beginning the process to bring the aircraft in question up to airworthiness. Both of the 121 aircraft had been operated by equivalent airlines overseas, had EXCELLENT books, and yet what should have just been a "C-Check and go" became a "C-Check, 2 A-Checks, and a B-Check" before it all got done to ensure that the aircraft didn't fall out of maintenance currency and then there was fixing the discrepancies they found...

[mustanglover]

That is why you hire a Airworthiness DER early.

As has been said before - it doesn't matter when you hire them if the schedules don't mesh - you're SOL. Period. I know of several issuances (including 2 Part 121 AC's) that got delayed by MONTHS even though a DER was involved from the first day of beginning the process to bring the aircraft in question up to airworthiness. Both of the 121 aircraft had been operated by equivalent airlines overseas, had EXCELLENT books, and yet what should have just been a "C-Check and go" became a "C-Check, 2 A-Checks, and a B-Check" before it all got done to ensure that the aircraft didn't fall out of maintenance currency and then there was fixing the discrepancies they found...

We look at it this way, when we hire a Airworthiness DAR to perform a function that the FAA has allowed them to do and they do not perform due to schedules...then they are fired.

If the airplane is not ready and the DAR cannot perform his function, then it is MY fault.

Nuff said.

[mustanglover]

I assume that the CAF hired a Powerplant and Systems DER for the engineering side of the engine change as FSDO will generally NOT be involved in those type of changes. Even if the airplane is an experimental C of A Like FiFi.

Big airplane = big problems for FAA if there is a problem at an airshow.

FSDO will usually hand that off to the ACO (Airplane Certification Office) which in this case would be the Fort Worth ACO. I can tell you right now that the FW ACO is WAY overloaded and if the CAF are waiting on that, then you might as well sit down and have a few drinks, because it will be a LONG wait. Unless the CAF calls in their trump card, aka - local Congressman.

If they are just waiting on someone to come over and issue the C of A, then a DAR is the way to go.

[B29B24crewchief]

I'm really not going to comment much about using a DAR! We have been very happy with the Lubbock FSDO and there support and cooperation! They were under extreme pressure last week to handle an accident investgation along with 2 airline complaints. They have indicated to us that they will be here on Tuesday to get er done. DARs are out there and can do these but it's not as easy as some have made it sound. That's all I will say about that.
I have some pics from recent weeks that I just haven't had time to post so here goes.
We did our gear swings and all went well. While in the jacked position, it gave us time to go over everything gear related. All the wheels got pulled. Bearings, axles, brakes, wheels, bolts, cables, hoses and other gear componets were inspected, cleaned, greased, replaced and otherwise functionally checked.





Once we got the tires all built up and put on, we finished our gear swings under normal extension and retraction, auxillary extension motors and emergency extension, the dreaded crank down method!!
Here's Rick, James and Don putting the mains back on.

Now the nose tires.




Sunday we had some fun! We moved everything away from the airplane, got our swings done and took some pictures.

[B29B24crewchief]

I said we were out to have some fun!!

[Warbird Kid]

[CAPFlyer]

Dare ya to do it with the B-24 Dave.

[Alan Brooks]

Beautiful Dave!!!!!!!! Go Baby Go! Alan

[WarbirdRadio]

Great work guys! I can't wait to see her flying again. Here's the link to the "FIFI" Update show from this morning.

http://www.warbirdradio.com/2010/07/b-2 ... ve-monday/

v/r
Matt Jolley

[the330thbg]

Awesome shots.., thanks for the $hit$ and grins!!!!!

[B29B24crewchief]

Airworthyness certificate signed and we go flying on Friday!!
Dave

[flyingsailor]

Airworthyness certificate signed and we go flying on Friday!!
Dave

What Dave did not mention was that the FAA inspector was highly impressed with the paperwork and quality of work. I would like to congratulate Dave, Rick, Don, Team Grandpa, Mark, James and all the others that enabled us to get this little piece of paper

[Brad]

Packing up the motorcycle now! (unless the wx is a copy of last week, then I'll be in the truck)