REFLECTOR: velocity website changes.

[Scott Baker]

Velocity, Inc. does not consider the change in lock nut design from a Nyloc 
to an all-metal locknut as a KPC.
As mentioned in the "maintenance alert", a builder reported finding loose 
lock nuts on several Velocity aircraft that he has inspected.
The company inspects many Velocity aircraft at the Velocity Service Center - 
and we have not noticed this phenomenon.
It is our sincere belief that a loose lock nut does not pose a safety 
problem - and were therefore reluctant to categorize this as a "Safety 
Bulletin".
It should be noted that the person who made the finding of the loose lock 
nuts strongly disagrees with the company's position.  He feels that the lock 
nut should be tensioned on the main gear pivot bolt (RG models) and main 
gear mounting bolt (FG models) - and that in doing so, helps prevent main 
gear shimmy.
The company agrees that a metal type of lock nut is best for 
high-temperature environments (such as the engine compartment) - however it 
must also be said that we have never observed any heat damage to the Nylon 
style of lock nut in the aircraft we have inspected.  The company 
demonstrator aircraft has heat-indicator tape applied to the engine side of 
the firewall (in several locations) - and the maximum temperatures we have 
observed in the lower portion of the firewall is 140*F.  Our engine 
installation is not a "one size fits all" design.  Builders may - and often 
do - have unique situations that affect temperature inside the engine 
compartment.  In the case of the builder who found the loose Nylon lock 
nuts, the aircraft had exhaust systems in close proximity to the Nylon lock 
nut.  It goes without saying that every engine installation must be 
inspected and have steps taken to protect all of its elements from excessive 
heat, hose and wire chafing, vibration wearing and fatigue cracking, and the 
like.
As stated in the "Maintenance Alert", the company has gone to an all-metal 
lock nut - and is offering to provide metal lock nuts for the main gear 
bolts free of charge to those who request such.  We are also asking for 
feedback from those who are flying Velocity aircraft - to please inspect the 
main gear bolt lock nut and to inform us if the nut is loose (by this we 
mean several threads loose) or if the Nylon lock nut has been subject to any 
damage due to heat.
SB


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tony Babb" <tonybabb at alejandra.net>
To: <amillin at sbcglobal.net>; "'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'" 
<reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: velocity website changes.


> Thanks Andy, so how did you navigate to that page in the V web site? The
> reason I ask is that I have never noticed a "maintenance alert" before, 
> but
> I have seen "safety" bulletins and "manuals" and "KPCs" referenced from 
> the
> builders page.. Seems to me these ought to be clearly accessible from the
> builders page too - unless I'm missing something blindingly obvious.
>
> Tony
> SEFG 62% done, 78% to go
> www.alejandra.net/velocity
>