On 15 Mar 2005 22:25:29 -0800, wrote:


Fourth, if the piece is 30 years old, so are all its pieces. My
seventies Japanese consumo or prosumo deck needs pieces because the old
one disintegrated from age, I buy a replacement part from you, what is
its expected longevity going to be? Ask any aircraft mechanic about
"cure date" and surplus rubber parts, or any assembly containing same.
Some pieces in tape transports and turntables, if not available new,
are just going to put you back out of business in short order.

As an aircraft mechanic, and now in airline management, I can tell you
that is is VERY common for operators of aging aircraft to buy an
aircraft solely for "parting out". The value of the individual parts
is often far greater than the value of the airframe. You are correct
that rubber parts do age, and that becomes a concern.
John

On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 16:24:37 -0700, John C.
wrote:

On 15 Mar 2005 22:25:29 -0800, wrote:


Fourth, if the piece is 30 years old, so are all its pieces. My
seventies Japanese consumo or prosumo deck needs pieces because the old
one disintegrated from age, I buy a replacement part from you, what is
its expected longevity going to be? Ask any aircraft mechanic about
"cure date" and surplus rubber parts, or any assembly containing same.
Some pieces in tape transports and turntables, if not available new,
are just going to put you back out of business in short order.

As an aircraft mechanic, and now in airline management, I can tell you
that is is VERY common for operators of aging aircraft to buy an
aircraft solely for "parting out". The value of the individual parts
is often far greater than the value of the airframe. You are correct
that rubber parts do age, and that becomes a concern.
John

Are those "working aircraft"?

If so, HOW DARE YOU??!!!??

chuckle

I'm all too aware of the "parting out" of GA aircraft because of the
insane pricing of factory parts and the artificially extreme cost and
hassle of FAA PMA approval-often motivated by an incestuous
relationship between the FAA and the industry. Isn't it, umm,
suspicious that you can buy third party (Univair,Wag-Aero) parts for
some airplanes and not others? And don't tell me about the self
inflicted "product liability crisis". It has scared off any potential
competitors, hasn't it?

The result is places like White Industries, with acres of largely
intact aircraft that flew in and won't fly out. If Terry augers in, no
tears will be shed, that's for goddamned sure. But that's another issue
altogether.

GA is a little different issue. AFAIK under the relevant Part of the
FARs-I don't remember which-scheduled airlines have the authority to
manufacture parts for their own use, without a PMA or buying the TC,
provided they can show conformity to the certificated part. Transport
category aircraft are a whole different business and most of them in
Mojave have earned their retirement.

On 16 Mar 2005 19:45:48 -0800, wrote:


I'm all too aware of the "parting out" of GA aircraft because of the
insane pricing of factory parts and the artificially extreme cost and
hassle of FAA PMA approval-often motivated by an incestuous
relationship between the FAA and the industry. Isn't it, umm,
suspicious that you can buy third party (Univair,Wag-Aero) parts for
some airplanes and not others? And don't tell me about the self
inflicted "product liability crisis". It has scared off any potential
competitors, hasn't it?

The result is places like White Industries, with acres of largely
intact aircraft that flew in and won't fly out. If Terry augers in, no
tears will be shed, that's for goddamned sure. But that's another issue
altogether.

Why is it another issue? Don't old aircraft deserve to spread their
wings and fly, just like old audio gear?

On 16 Mar 2005 19:45:48 -0800, wrote:




The result is places like White Industries, with acres of largely
intact aircraft that flew in and won't fly out. If Terry augers in, no
tears will be shed, that's for goddamned sure. But that's another issue
altogether.
Yep, I know White Industires very well. They also supply parts for
regional airlines, not just GA aircraft.
John

On 16 Mar 2005 19:51:01 -0800, wrote:

GA is a little different issue. AFAIK under the relevant Part of the
FARs-I don't remember which-scheduled airlines have the authority to
manufacture parts for their own use, without a PMA or buying the TC,
provided they can show conformity to the certificated part. Transport
category aircraft are a whole different business and most of them in
Mojave have earned their retirement.
As an airline, you can repair many parts yourself, and with
engineering approval even mfgr parts. You cannot, however sell them to
another airline. Most of the parts airlines mfgr are sheetmetal of
course, and interior pieces. Also tubing, wiring, etc.
John