[Wing] Re: MD-RA Consumer satisfaction?

[Haywire]

    One more time.

    This email is meant to be an informal non scientific public arena poll.
It is intended to spark commentary and conversation in respect to the MD-RA
inspection process.

    I have been listening to local area aircraft kit builder people's
comments regarding the MD-RA inspection process that they are required to
follow.
    It occurred to me that It might be good to get and share a more general
scan of builders experiances and reactions.

    If you are happy say how and why here.


    If you are not happy say how and why here.

Hi Jim;
    I wasn't going to share this, but since you keep asking, here goes....
When I first began my project 3 years ago I was told to file a letter of
intent with the MD-RA, so I did. Then I began to hear things that I didn't
really like and at the same time I was hearing how our local TC inspector
(George Hohnisch) was really a great guy to deal with, very helpful and easy
to deal with. The MD-RA inspections were much more costly and required
paying travel time to the inspector ($100). Since I have alot of extra fuel
capacity, I need an increased GW and I was informed that at that time MD-RA
was refusing this without a letter from Van's which he was rightfully not
providing (why should he accept responsibility for a plane that he didn't
build?) I was also informed that they didn't look to kindly on the use of
automotive engines (13B rotary) so I was expecting alot of trouble going
this route.
    I talked with the TC inspector about my project and was eager to help
out, but informed me that I would have to request that MD-RA relinquish my
file to TC. So I sent an e-mail to MD-RA requesting this. Gerry Halliburton
replied with a "NO". Send us your money, we will do it." Not really the kind
of reply that encouraged me to want to do business with them. I exchanged a
few more e-mails with Gerry, each one sounding a little more hostile.
Finally I found and quoted directly the TC reg that covers this. I don't
have it here right now but it basically states that "if builders insists
that inspections be done by Transport Canada, the MD-RA must forward the
entire file and all its contents to the appropriate TC office" His reply was
that upon receipt of the MD-RA inspection fee they would forward the file to
TC where I could pay their fee as well for inspection, after inspection they
would request that TC return the file to them and all subsequent inspections
or re-inspections would be handled the same way. While I was choking on this
e-mail I received another from him requesting a current credit card #. I
suspect that he had attempted to charge my Visa number that I had used when
I filed my letter of intent, but I had cancelled that card after a cabbie
drove off with it. By this time I was convinced that Gerry Halliburton is
only in it for the money. When I called the TC inspector for his advice on
this latest event, I found he was on vacation and wasn't due back until
after I had to head into the bush for guiding season.
    After I got back, I immediately went on a long vacation out of the
country myself. When I got back I started into my fuselage, leaving the
wings to have the "pre-cover" done later. After finishing the fuse, I
realized that I was way overdue to have my pre-cover done (I was FWF), so I
phoned TC only to find out that George had retired and no one was taking
over inspections from him! Damn, now what was I going to do?
    At about this time I met Dan McKeith at a local experimental meeting.
Dan is the nearest MD-RA inspector, so I sheepishly explained my situation
to him. He was very encouraging in his comments and mentioned that they were
looking into the GW issue and assured me that my choice of engine would not
be an issue and informed me that he was actually a big fan of the rotary
engine, owning an RX-7 and an engine that was destined for some future
project.
    So I went ahead and submitted my inspection application to MD-RA,
cringing while thinking about Gerry gloating with glee while charging the
the fee to my CC. While the fee was charged to my CC immediately, it was a
few weeks before I received my inspection package in the mail, but when I
called Dan McKeith, he was very co-operative and eager to do my inspection.
When inspection day arrived I was nervous, expecting that he must have a
mandate from Gerry to find any excuse to fail me (I was starting to feel
paranoid;-)). When Dan arrived he was friendly, very professional and
thorough and made me feel completely at ease. Even though it was not part of
the pre-cover, he went through the fuselage and start of the engine
installation, asking many questions due to his own desire to use a rotary.
    I now hope to have Dan back up here in mid-July for my final inspection
and expect no problems dealing with him, but I'm still dreading the
submission of paperwork. As I'm certain that this e-mail will be forwarded
to Gerry by someone, I'm sure he will be eagerly awaiting my paper work.
He'll probably have a special stamp made up for me ;-)
    While Dan may not represent all inspectors, he certainly gets two thumbs
up from me. I've probably already said too much about Gerry.....
    I also feel that the inspection fees are way out of line, considering
that none of it is given to the inspectors. They are completely volunteer
with no pay. The only money they get is the travel fee. I'd be surprised if
a lawyer would charge as much for dealing with a similar amount of
paperwork. (I may need a lawyer after Gerry reads this ;-)

This is probably more than you wanted to know, but you asked for it so......

S. Todd Bartrim
Turbo 13B
RV-9endurance
C-FSTB
http://www3.telus.net/haywire/RV-9/C-FSTB.htm

         "Whatever you vividly imagine, Ardently desire, Sincerely believe
in, Enthusiastically act upon, Must inevitably come to pass".

.




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