Mechanics/Engineers W/Something To Say

aogdesk · Sat Jun 10, 2006 2:39 am

I'm looking for aircraft mechanics, engineers, materials specialists and related professionals who have thoughts and ideas pertaining to the technical aspect of our field. Oh, and specifically people who have some writing skills.....

Areas like:
Insider knowledge
Tips n Tricks
Editorial Opinions
Humor Related
Etc etc.

MesaMXORD · Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:21 am

Tips and tricks????? How about super gluing a nut onto your fingertip to get it started on a bolt in a difficult spot.

Can you elaborate more?

IFEMaster · Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:27 am

I'm an engineer of sorts. A software engineer for a company the develops, amongst other things, IFE systems and programming. And I have writing skills.

dl757md · Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:50 am

Quoting MesaMXORD (Reply 1):
How about super gluing a nut onto your fingertip to get it started on a bolt in a difficult spot.

Toygh guy eh? That works OK if you don't mind losing some skin. Gets to be a problem after about the 10th one of the night. I use dumb dumb. It's a white clay-like substance that is pretty sticky, just enough so that it will hold small hardware to an outstretched finger without damaging your skin. It's probably got a real name but all I've ever heard it called is dumb dumb.

Quoting Aogdesk (Thread starter):
I'm looking for aircraft mechanics, engineers, materials specialists and related professionals who have thoughts and ideas pertaining to the technical aspect of our field. Oh, and specifically people who have some writing skills.....

I'd be interested. Watcha workin on?

DL757Md

MD11Engineer · Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:25 am

Quoting Dl757md (Reply 3):
Quoting MesaMXORD (Reply 1):
How about super gluing a nut onto your fingertip to get it started on a bolt in a difficult spot.

Toygh guy eh? That works OK if you don't mind losing some skin. Gets to be a problem after about the 10th one of the night. I use dumb dumb. It's a white clay-like substance that is pretty sticky, just enough so that it will hold small hardware to an outstretched finger without damaging your skin. It's probably got a real name but all I've ever heard it called is dumb dumb.

Some grease will do the job as well.

Jan

EssentialPowr · Sat Jun 10, 2006 10:16 am

MD11Engineer,

Is there any way you can type the first 5-10 description lines out of the manual for the active cg system (fuel)? There's another thread going in which a guy is having a tough time associating cg with longitudinal trim.

Thank you either way-

MesaMXORD · Sat Jun 10, 2006 10:27 am

Hey I might have to try that "dumb dumb" these stupid RJ's were not built with concern for access to anything!!!!

AOGDESK what kinda insider info you looking for cause avaition is fueled by rumors.

Ever had a barbeque off an APU exhaust? Nothing like a little JET-A to add that extra flavor. Speaking of JET-A is it just me or is smelling exhaust from a running engine when you get in to work in the morning not great?

jutes85 · Sat Jun 10, 2006 11:20 am

Quoting Dl757md (Reply 3):
Toygh guy eh? That works OK if you don't mind losing some skin. Gets to be a problem after about the 10th one of the night. I use dumb dumb. It's a white clay-like substance that is pretty sticky, just enough so that it will hold small hardware to an outstretched finger without damaging your skin. It's probably got a real name but all I've ever heard it called is dumb dumb.

I just tape the nut to the wrench and get it started that way, works every time, and no trips to the hospital needed.

dl757md · Sat Jun 10, 2006 11:55 am

Quoting Jutes85 (Reply 7):
I just tape the nut to the wrench and get it started that way, works every time, and no trips to the hospital needed.

That works in some cases, but many times there is no room to turn the nut enough to get it started. Once you start it with your finger you can the run it on with your wrench.

DL757Md

ilikeyyc · Sat Jun 10, 2006 12:22 pm

AOGDesk, I am curious and could possibly help. What are you working on?

Here is a good tip, use valve grinding compound on the head of a screw that is tough to get out. You won't strip the head of the screw and will save you the time of drilling it out.

Quoting MesaMXORD (Reply 1):
How about super gluing a nut onto your fingertip to get it started on a bolt in a difficult spot.

I use DC4 to hold a nut in the box end of a wrench. You work on the 200's? I share your frustration.

MesaMXORD · Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:54 pm

llikeyyc-
I have the pleasure of working the CRJ-200/700/900 and EMB-145's all 4 types have there Pro's and Con's.

AOGDESK-
Here is some insider info; alot of pilots do not know there A/C and they make your life (as a mechanic) really crappy cause the will write up stuff that is normal ops cause they have no clue.

HAWK21M · Sat Jun 10, 2006 4:52 pm

Quoting MesaMXORD (Reply 1):
How about super gluing a nut onto your fingertip to get it started on a bolt in a difficult spot.

Can you elaborate more

Use a product called Stick it or Just simple grease.

https://www.airliners.net/discussions/tech_ops/read.main/135458
regds
MEL

Buzz · Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:24 pm

Hi AOGDesk, Buzz here. So... what kind of informative articles are you thinking of?
There's a web link to Sacramento Sky Ranch that has some interesting tips, mostly for General Aviation. E-mail me off line if you wish.

By the way... my favorite substance to glue hardware to my fingertip is called E-Z turn, it's a thick, sticky, anti-seize grease.

I bet most of the A+P's on this forum have a story, or tip that's made life easier.

g'nite

bri2k1 · Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:29 pm

Aogdesk, I think you're in the right place for the information you want, but you're not being very clear about it for some reason. Don't forget that not very much of a plane has to be fabricated for it to be a "homebuilt"/"experimental," and a lot of people who read these forums might actually be their very own mechanics/engineers. In fact, the definition of "engineer" in the USA might lend itself to the group of people who are more likely to build and fly their very own airplanes. In any case, good luck, and I hope you share the final product.

HAWK21M · Mon Jun 12, 2006 6:49 pm

A Few good sites for Mx are:-
Greyowl
AMT
regds
MEL

Mender · Mon Jun 12, 2006 9:15 pm

When fitting several p-clips together on one common bolt I clamp each p-clip in turn with pliers then attach a very thin tie-wrap around the p-clip to hold it closed. I then pass the bolt through all the differnet p-clips, get the nut started on the bolt, then snip off all the tie-wraps before finally tightening the nut and bolt.

ReidYYZ · Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:47 am

Quoting Mender (Reply 15):
a very thin tie-wrap

0.020" lockwire works just as well. Keep a bottle of alcohol wash in your box, keeps the cooties at bay. Don't piss anybody off, it is a very small industry, you will work with them again, maybe for them.
Back to a good question:

Quoting Dl757md (Reply 3):
Watcha workin on?

SkydrolBoy · Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:08 am

Quoting Buzz (Reply 12):
my favorite substance to glue hardware to my fingertip is called E-Z turn, it's a thick, sticky, anti-seize grease.

E-Z turn is also good for a quick fix on a leaking screw on a fuel panel. Also for a leaking rivet we sometimes put on some "Seal-All" works good in a pinch when you dont have time to put on a Click patch or open the tank to reseal the rivet

avioniker · Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:45 pm

Quoting MesaMXORD (Reply 10):
Here is some insider info; alot of pilots do not know there A/C and they make your life (as a mechanic) really crappy cause the will write up stuff that is normal ops cause they have no clue.

I used to complain a lot about the above.
Now I recognize that the people (engineers) designing the stuff in the cockpit don't have any idea of the history of the product and constantly "reinvent the wheel".
I've been teaching for an avionics manufacturer for a year now and have had to change my maintenance training syllabus on one course three times in that time because of new systems that won't play with the old.
I have no idea how the pilots can keep up with all the new buttons and joysticks that some idiot who never heard of ATA specs decides that his idea is just what's needed to make the cockpit life easier.
People in our tech writing department have no line experience whatsoever but make daily decisions about what the mechanic needs to do his or her or its job.
I'm a trained engineer but spent a lot more time in the classroom and on the flight line getting the required experience to test for my A&P certificate than any avionics engineer is required to have now days. I got my first ticket in 1971 and retested twenty years later because the local FSDO guys said I had to. I've been wrenching since 64 and took my college out of my resume because it's of no value to what I really do for a living.
A bigger problem is that avionics engineers don't even have to have any avionics training any more to work here. Just a degree, a young face, and a lot of (misguided?) enthusiasm to please the boss. And now we're in the sixth generation of engineers who only know what they've learned from other engineers who've never worked on a real plane, who've learned their craft from other engineers or teachers who've never worked on a real plane, who've learned their craft from other teachers who've ... you get the idea...
I guess that blew the dust off that soap box . . .
Oh the horror.............
Smile

Dalmd88 · Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:51 pm

I've worked in a lot of places. I have only seen the stuff DL757md has talked about at DL. I worked sheetmetal for eight years in ATL. That clay stuff was the best for starting a hilock mini nut (MD doesn't use those collars) in a very tight spot. Just stick a dab of it on your finger, close your eyes and listen Master Ben Kenobi and the nut would start. after that the fun part of turning the nut with every little quater inch wrench you had would start. This one would turn it half a flat and another would work for a half. My tool box has various adapted quarter inch wrenches that have been bent and filed down to reach all those places.

The best trick I have is the ablity to see what my fingers are doing with out seeing the action. One guy I used to work with would complain he couldn't see what he was doing. My respsonse was always, Mike, sight is overated. This isn't something that can be taught. I think it is an inate sence of touch with a keen sence of spatial orientaion.

HAWK21M · Sat Jun 24, 2006 5:10 pm

Quoting Avioniker (Reply 18):
I've been wrenching since 64 and took my college out of my resume because it's of no value to what I really do for a living.

You may be having a Long Resume.What Types.
regds
MEL

777wt · Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:56 am

Quoting MesaMXORD (Reply 10):
Here is some insider info; alot of pilots do not know there A/C and they make your life (as a mechanic) really crappy cause the will write up stuff that is normal ops cause they have no clue.

That's right, here's what they called me out on the line for:

Emergency flashlight InOp.....tested and ops ck good, 2 seperate times! (one of them wasn't fully pushed all the way in and the red charge light wasn't on until I pushed it in further"

Lav not flushing...ops ck good!
F/A's overhead light not working...ops ck good!

Lav not dumping...call lav service again and ops ck good (twice)!

Single point refueling wing valves light comes on then goes off intermit...told pilots to call fueler back....Ops check good because that's what it's supposed to do!

It balances the fuel in the wings! < Pilot was told by mtx that fueler is stupid... Wink

How about this one for a kicker.... Captain writes up paint on door does not match the plane paint...

My co-worker starred at the captain for one full min thinking how stupid he is... we know that door has been robbed from a C-check aircraft because of some damage or something's wrong with the original one.

My co-worker said to the captain..."do you want to fly?" the captain said the same thing again "the paint doesn't match the plane"

the co-worker said "let me ask you this again, do you want to fly or not?"
the captain says "yes"
the co-worker said "ok, go and write in the logbook "EIE"

for Entered-In-Error"

Venus6971 · Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:03 am

interested but can I work from home our the hanger that I am currently in.

kaddyuk · Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:16 am

Quoting ReidYYZ (Reply 16):
Don't piss anybody off, it is a very small industry, you will work with them again, maybe for them.

Big World, Small Industry...

kbfispotter · Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:51 am

Quoting Aogdesk (Thread starter):
I'm looking for aircraft mechanics, engineers, materials specialists and related professionals who have thoughts and ideas pertaining to the technical aspect of our field. Oh, and specifically people who have some writing skills.....

Areas like:
Insider knowledge
Tips n Tricks
Editorial Opinions
Humor Related
Etc etc.

Quoting MesaMXORD (Reply 6):
these stupid RJ's were not built with concern for access to anything!!!!

Here's a tip: Stay away from the leading edges of 737's... They are a pain in the butt to work on...

Kris

YANQUI67 · Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:18 pm

Stay away from working on Hawkers. Truely designed by the devil himself. I freaking hate it. The hell hole is the worst compartment ever created on any aircraft!

roseflyer · Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:40 pm

I'm a mechanical engineer. I work at a major aerospace contractor that supplies components for pretty much every jet. I will say that my job isn't that specific to aviation since I could be doing similar things for different programs, however it is interesting and more motivating to throw names like the 787, F-16 or JSF around at work.

I can't say that I know a ton of insider information. I know stuff that pertains to my job. Since I work on the 787, I know about production figures, delivery date ideas and information on if things are on schedule at times with parts that I work on since I work in operations. I've also heard future planning information with regards to when planes might take to flight for planning.

As far as humor, engineers have a lot of funny things at work, but I can't say that too much has to do with aviation.

All in all, designing the planes pays a lot better than operating them. There is a lot more job security too when you work for a company that produces military and commercial aviation products since the US government is the biggest customer of aerospace products in the world.

HAWK21M · Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:13 pm

Quoting KBFIspotter (Reply 24):
Stay away from the leading edges of 737's... They are a pain in the butt to work on

Can't choose the Snag to work on out here.Thankfully Smile

regds
MEL

kbfispotter · Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:16 pm

Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 27):
Quoting KBFIspotter (Reply 24):
Stay away from the leading edges of 737's... They are a pain in the butt to work on

Can't choose the Snag to work on out here.Thankfully

They are a royal pain... I spent 9 hours today removing components to gain access in order to replace 1 bonding jumper on a WN 733 LE... We have a theory behind the psychotic design of the LE at work....

HAWK21M · Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:08 am

Quoting KBFIspotter (Reply 28):
I spent 9 hours today removing components to gain access in order to replace 1 bonding jumper on a WN 733 LE

What was this Location Exactly.
regds
MEL

777wt · Fri Nov 03, 2006 7:38 am

Quoting KBFIspotter (Reply 28):
They are a royal pain... I spent 9 hours today removing components to gain access in order to replace 1 bonding jumper on a WN 733 LE... We have a theory behind the psychotic design of the LE at work....

How about 6 hours to R&R just the fire dectector loop on a AE3007A on the ERJ-145...from taking both cowls off, R&R the fire dectector loop and putting both cowls back on....

Venus6971 · Sat Nov 04, 2006 12:15 am

Quoting KBFIspotter (Reply 28):
They are a royal pain... I spent 9 hours today removing components to gain access in order to replace 1 bonding jumper on a WN 733 LE... We have a theory behind the psychotic design of the LE at work....

I believe the attitude of a typical aerospace engineer is the arrogance that their creation is perfect and will never need mx. So why design it to be easy for mx to repair it. My little brother who works for AA is in love with 777 because he told that the acft was designed with a mechanic in the room to offer their viewpoint or a slap on the back of the head. Just remember this maxim " complex is easy but simplicity is hard" when it comes to design.

HAWK21M · Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:59 pm

Quoting Venus6971 (Reply 31):
Just remember this maxim " complex is easy but simplicity is hard" when it comes to design

Thats where space matters as in larger Aircraft.
regds
MEL

Valcory · Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:46 pm

Quoting Venus6971 (Reply 31):
I believe the attitude of a typical aerospace engineer is the arrogance that their creation is perfect and will never need mx. So why design it to be easy for mx to repair it.

I know at times i will be saying who design this(that's one reason i try to stay away from 737 the weird thing is i always end up working on them) On a 757 with a RB211 the PRSOV valves come to mind i am like why didn't they just make the panel bigger. I have change PRSOV on the P&W 2037 all you have to do is open the TR the valves is right there easy Access. The 777 is easy to work on.Hooking up and safety wiring the torque tubes for the slats are still a a pain.

zvocio79 · Tue Jan 02, 2007 2:25 am

Quoting Ilikeyyc (Reply 9):
Here is a good tip, use valve grinding compound on the head of a screw that is tough to get out. You won't strip the head of the screw and will save you the time of drilling it out

valve grinding compound works great, but i usually go on the tightening direction first to break the rust or anything that forms under the screw head that would cause it to freeze and then i unscrew it....valve grinder works so good that watch out u dont break the head of the screw.

MD11Engineer · Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:40 am

Quoting HAWK21M (Reply 32):
Quoting Venus6971 (Reply 31):
Just remember this maxim " complex is easy but simplicity is hard" when it comes to design

Thats where space matters as in larger Aircraft.
regds
MEL

This is why I prefer to work on the MD-11 and widebodies of similar size, compared to narrowbodies like the 737 or MD-80. Much more space to move in (e.g. you can actually WALK into the airconditioning compartments of a MD-11 and access to components is quite easy. Try removing a pack valve on a 737 one day, preferably the one on the R/H side. You'll have to strip almost the whole aircon bay to get at it.).

Jan

A/c train · Wed Jan 03, 2007 4:39 am

MD 11 !! stop whinging, thats what your paid for, aircon bays are the place of much blood shed on any airplane, plus pylon pneumatic ducts and valves.

NineSixteen · Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:37 pm

Hi ... 20 years experience in Flight Controls design engineering (Renton WA) ... send me an email describing your project.

trieATcomcastDOTnet

HAWK21M · Wed Jan 03, 2007 7:18 pm

Quoting MD11Engineer (Reply 35):
Try removing a pack valve on a 737 one day, preferably the one on the R/H side. You'll have to strip almost the whole aircon bay to get at it

Also working under the Pack bay of the B737 for a Tall guy is tough.But its a Job & Im glad its not easy.
Tell me more about the MD11 Pack.Is it that large compartment wise.
regds
MEL

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