16-Hour Repairman/Inspection Course

[Boback]

I thought I would post this email I recently received about an upcoming class. I took this class last year and I would recommend it to others:

Bob,

You attended one of my PPC ELSA repairman course awhile back--thanks very much! I have another one scheduled here in Jacksonville, FL on March 1-2, 2008. If you know anyone who might want to attend, I'd appreciate you letting them know.

Thanks very much and good luck using your repairman certificate!

Mike

G. Michael Huffman
Sport Aviation Specialties
4324 Ortega Farms Cir
Jacksonville, FL 32210
904-206-0522
866-906-9897 (FAX)
SportAviation@gmail.com
sportaviationspecialties dot com

[mignazito]

I found the course I took to be a total waste of time for me. I did not "learn" one single thing that I did not already know. I could have easily gotten the 98% I got on the exam without the course or simply slept thru it. Had not one question been a little ambigous I would have had a 100%. This is an example of the potential evils of privatization. The FAA should just have you take the exam either with or without the course at your choice. Private instruction being optional like it is for most all the other FAA exams.

I'm going to write the FAA about this. I suggest others who feel as I do also write them and complain. A few opportunists are lining up at the trough on this one.

[xylie6]

I agree with Marty.
The class I attended was unorganized with almost no literature. Not even a checklist. What little information that was handed out made reference to GA, airplanes, and other things that have nothing to do with us. I very much enjoy the company of other PPC enthusiasts, and do not like posting negative comments. I am, however, suggesting that anyone interested should find out the content of the class before they pay. I am currently S.P. N-numbered, etc. and have no problem with the rules. I passed easily, and got my cert., but can honestly say that if I had to do an inspection on my PPC I would not be any more confident than before the class.

Many thanks to all that contribute to this great forum.

Steve.

[mignazito]

Actually the course I attended was very well laid out, very professionaly presented and no doubt of much use to those who needed it. My point was that there are some of us who do not need it and/or can study on our own to get the knowledge we need without a class. Making the class manditory is what I find objectionable. The knowledge is needed and asking some one to demonstrate their knowledge by examination prior to issuing them certification makes perfect sense to me, but that is all that should be required IMHO.

[Boback]

I agree that there are those who have been around aviation in various capacities and could pass with the test without studying. To those, I agree that there should be a test out.

But there are those, like me, who would benefit from this class. I did attend this particular class about a year ago. I learned a lot and I was glad I attended.

I would also mention this is the DAR that I used. He was higher that most in fees, but he was good to work with, very supportive, and did the type of job I expected. He did his preliminary inspection via email with pictures, confirmed everything at the inspection, and even had all the paperwork completed, ready to sign, at the time of inspection. I felt comfortable throughout the entire process, he worked with me ahead of time when I needed to fix or change something, and his goal was obvious for me to have an aircraft that would pass at the time of the actual inspection.

[mignazito]

As with any new program there are bound to be "glitches". The FAA as well as many government agencies have been privatizing various government services. Even toll roads, sewer systems, water systems, etc. have been leased to private firms in some areas. Depending on your politics this can be seen as inherently good or inherently evil. I suggest that it can be either one depending on how it is done.

In this case the FAA simply sought to lighten the burden passing it on to private hands. I do not object to that and as you have stated the courses can certainly be useful to those who need them. FAA exams are also administered by private firms nowdays so a fee for that would be charged to which I would also not object.

I feel an adjustment to the SP ASTM LSA program is in order for this and perhaps a few other minor issues. Manditory class participation is simply another case of government indirectly lining the pockets of private businesses by forcing citizens to pay for services that are not universally necessary for safe operation though this example is certainly small potatoes. Corporate welfare has become endemic in the last 20 or 30 years to an extent that would amaze you. At least I don't need it where I might have some say in stopping it however small it is in this case.

[Frank Smrdel]

Does anyone know of any upcoming courses within reasonable driving distance to Northeast Ohio?

[mignazito]

You might check with EAA and ASC. Thye both run some of these and probably have a schedule.

[ligpd1030]

The DAR I used said he is planning to have the course this summer and would let me know more about it as soon as he has the onfo. about it. This will be in NorthEast Indiana. You could reach him at www.lightsportrepair.com. Hope this may help.

[mignazito]

That's Brian McCallen. A good head and straight shooter.

[AirSportAdventures]

The private sector can often operate services better than government, especially when there is competition. I worked for he government for 25 years and watched the waste from the inside. My experience has been the less goverment the better. Those with left leaning political views tend to like the government in control of things with a strong nanny state. The 16 hour course is needed by 95% LSA owner/operators, including myself, regardless of party political view.