View Full Version : Annual IA Software
RST Engineering
August 9th 07, 09:05 PM
OK, after fifteen years or so, TDATA has priced themselves out of my 
pocketbook.  I found a little company back in South Carolina called Zook 
Aviation and their product is priced fairly and I like the little demo they 
sent me.  I also like the mom'n'pop attitude of the company.
However, somewhere in the back of my mind during my last IA renewal course I 
recall somebody mentioning software that is a shell for the FAA AD, STC, TC, 
SB and the like site and simply parses and places the ADs in the right place 
so that you can examine them for compliance.  Seems to me that software not 
requiring an annual fee, or at least one that doesn't go through the expense 
of sending out updated DVDs every so often would be the way to go.
Anybody got a handle on what I thought I saw?
Jim
-- 
"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."
        --Henry Ford
Jim Burns
August 10th 07, 03:41 AM
Sorry Jim,
I've downloaded and parsed the airman's certificate and aircraft ownership 
databases, but I haven't been able to find a downloadable version of the 
AD/SB database.  Please keep us informed if you locate such.
JimB
"RST Engineering" > wrote in message 
...
> OK, after fifteen years or so, TDATA has priced themselves out of my 
> pocketbook.  I found a little company back in South Carolina called Zook 
> Aviation and their product is priced fairly and I like the little demo 
> they sent me.  I also like the mom'n'pop attitude of the company.
>
> However, somewhere in the back of my mind during my last IA renewal course 
> I recall somebody mentioning software that is a shell for the FAA AD, STC, 
> TC, SB and the like site and simply parses and places the ADs in the right 
> place so that you can examine them for compliance.  Seems to me that 
> software not requiring an annual fee, or at least one that doesn't go 
> through the expense of sending out updated DVDs every so often would be 
> the way to go.
>
> Anybody got a handle on what I thought I saw?
>
> Jim
>
> -- 
> "If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."
>        --Henry Ford
>
>
Ross
August 10th 07, 05:07 PM
RST Engineering wrote:
> OK, after fifteen years or so, TDATA has priced themselves out of my 
> pocketbook.  I found a little company back in South Carolina called Zook 
> Aviation and their product is priced fairly and I like the little demo they 
> sent me.  I also like the mom'n'pop attitude of the company.
> 
> However, somewhere in the back of my mind during my last IA renewal course I 
> recall somebody mentioning software that is a shell for the FAA AD, STC, TC, 
> SB and the like site and simply parses and places the ADs in the right place 
> so that you can examine them for compliance.  Seems to me that software not 
> requiring an annual fee, or at least one that doesn't go through the expense 
> of sending out updated DVDs every so often would be the way to go.
> 
> Anybody got a handle on what I thought I saw?
> 
> Jim
> Is this any help???
http://www.myairplane.com/databases/aircraft_report/index.php
-- 
Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI
Robert M. Gary
August 10th 07, 10:24 PM
> http://www.myairplane.com/databases/aircraft_report/index.php
>
> --
>
> Regards, Ross
Am I missing something? I don't see how this link is related to the
thread.
-Robert
comanche driver
August 10th 07, 10:34 PM
www.faa.gov look under ad's on the right hand side, search by what ever you 
want.
R. Burns
"Ross" > wrote in message 
...
> RST Engineering wrote:
>> OK, after fifteen years or so, TDATA has priced themselves out of my 
>> pocketbook.  I found a little company back in South Carolina called Zook 
>> Aviation and their product is priced fairly and I like the little demo 
>> they sent me.  I also like the mom'n'pop attitude of the company.
>>
>> However, somewhere in the back of my mind during my last IA renewal 
>> course I recall somebody mentioning software that is a shell for the FAA 
>> AD, STC, TC, SB and the like site and simply parses and places the ADs in 
>> the right place so that you can examine them for compliance.  Seems to me 
>> that software not requiring an annual fee, or at least one that doesn't 
>> go through the expense of sending out updated DVDs every so often would 
>> be the way to go.
>>
>> Anybody got a handle on what I thought I saw?
>>
>> Jim
>> Is this any help???
>
> http://www.myairplane.com/databases/aircraft_report/index.php
>
> -- 
>
> Regards, Ross
> C-172F 180HP
> KSWI
RST Engineering
August 11th 07, 10:21 PM
Thanks, Ross, but that's just the aircraft data file, not the AD or SB 
files.
Jim
-- 
"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."
        --Henry Ford
>> Is this any help???
>
> http://www.myairplane.com/databases/aircraft_report/index.php
>
> -- 
>
> Regards, Ross
> C-172F 180HP
> KSWI
Robert M. Gary
August 13th 07, 06:34 PM
On Aug 11, 1:21 pm, "RST Engineering" > wrote:
> Thanks, Ross, but that's just the aircraft data file, not the AD or SB
> files.
>From looking at these postings, I'd say you're out of luck. However, I
know of a way to get the software for free. My IA teaches an A&P class
at the community college and the college provides him a copy of the
software, fully licensed, for free.
-Robert
Ross
August 13th 07, 06:40 PM
RST Engineering wrote:
> Thanks, Ross, but that's just the aircraft data file, not the AD or SB 
> files.
> 
> Jim
> OK, sorry.
-- 
Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI
RST Engineering
August 13th 07, 06:46 PM
I bought the Zook software yesterday for $285 the year.  Sierra doesn't have 
an A&P school, so I'm SOL there.  And if you think the college provides him 
one for free, you don't quite grasp the fundamentals of taxation.  It might 
be at no cost to the IA, but free ain't quite the word.
Jim
-- 
"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."
        --Henry Ford
>>From looking at these postings, I'd say you're out of luck. However, I
> know of a way to get the software for free. My IA teaches an A&P class
> at the community college and the college provides him a copy of the
> software, fully licensed, for free.
>
> -Robert
>
Tri-Pacer
August 13th 07, 10:22 PM
>I bought the Zook software yesterday for $285 the year.
I'd be interested in your opinion after you've used it for a while. Can you 
save profiles so you don't have to re-do everything each year? How about a 
printout of only new & recurring ADs?
I'm using ATP & it's pretty pricey. I started with it when I got it free 
from the local A&P School. However that went down the tube when I didn't 
want to contract to take care of all the school's planes on a full time 
basis.
(I'm retired & lazy) All my own profiles were in the ATP format so I kept 
it.
Cheers:
Paul
N1431A
KPLU
Darrel Toepfer
August 13th 07, 10:34 PM
"RST Engineering" > wrote:
> Thanks, Ross, but that's just the aircraft data file, not the AD or SB 
> files.
Type clubs tend to collect all that info and make it available to their 
members through their websites...
The Feds website is currently busted for looking up AD's via MAKE:
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAD.nsf/Curre
ntADFRMakeModel!OpenView
SAIB via Make/Model for C182A (under APPLIANCE you can do your motor, 
vacuum pump, etc.):
Cracks in plastic or non-metallic control wheels 01/10/2007 Cessna 
Aircraft Company:  
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSAIB.ns
f/(LookupSAIBs)/CE-01-41?OpenDocument  or
http://tinyurl.com/33df5v  
Applies to model but later date of manufacture 60-64
Leaking Fuel Caps 10/28/2003 Cessna Aircraft Company, The:
http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSAIB.nsf/
(LookupSAIBs)/CE-04-11?OpenDocument  or
http://tinyurl.com/3c3mhd
If somebody has a better way of doing this, I too would like the info as 
well... For now I collect the .PDF's and .HTMLs of all the Fed documents 
and burn them to a CD for the annual guy to view on the computer with a 
new INDEX page I create with links to all the data I found...
I already belong to the Short Wingers, so that covers me type club wise, 
they do a much better job than the Piper Flyers / Piper Owners which 
concern themselves with more recent models. We were always happy with 
the Cessna Pilots Association when we owned spam cans... ;-) 
Piper Club honors AOPA
 
Short Wing Piper Club Vice President Frank Sperandeo flew his pristine 
Piper Pacer to Frederick, Maryland, on August 8 to present a special 
award to AOPA and the association's President Phil Boyer.
The stunning trophy and accompanying plaque recognizes AOPA and Boyer 
for "providing general aviation's leadership in the political arena, 
especially in the current struggle against repressive governmental user 
fees and the continuing struggle to reduce the oppressive flight 
restrictions of post-9/11."
The club said that AOPA services, including AOPA Pilot magazine and the 
AOPA Web site, were of "inestimable value" and "facilitated every aspect 
of aircraft ownership and flying."
Short wing Pipers were built from 1948 to 1963 and include such 
cherished models as the Clipper, Colt, Pacer, and Tri-Pacer. The 
"Timeless Tri-Pacer" was AOPA's sweepstakes aircraft in 1998.
August 8, 2007
Robert M. Gary
August 13th 07, 10:39 PM
On Aug 13, 9:46 am, "RST Engineering" > wrote:
> I bought the Zook software yesterday for $285 the year.  Sierra doesn't have
> an A&P school, so I'm SOL there.  And if you think the college provides him
> one for free, you don't quite grasp the fundamentals of taxation.  It might
> be at no cost to the IA, but free ain't quite the word.
You know that isn't what I said, but I know you're just trying to be
funny.
-Robert
What are u guys using for Service Bulletins?  For Bonanzas,
I have a CD ROM that was a one shot; I get the newer ones in the mail.
When someone brings a Cessna, I am at a loss.
Bill H.  Loveland CO
On Aug 13, 2:39 pm, "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
> On Aug 13, 9:46 am, "RST Engineering" > wrote:
>
> > I bought the Zook software yesterday for $285 the year.  Sierra doesn't have
> > an A&P school, so I'm SOL there.  And if you think the college provides him
> > one for free, you don't quite grasp the fundamentals of taxation.  It might
> > be at no cost to the IA, but free ain't quite the word.
>
> You know that isn't what I said, but I know you're just trying to be
> funny.
>
> -Robert
Tri-Pacer
August 15th 07, 12:22 AM
"> What are u guys using for Service Bulletins?  For Bonanzas,
> I have a CD ROM that was a one shot; I get the newer ones in the mail.
>
> When someone brings a Cessna, I am at a loss.
>
>
ATP navigator includes the bulletins IF they pertain to an AD. For all 
others bite the bullet I guess and buy them.
Cheers:
Paul
N1431A
KPLU
Blanche
August 15th 07, 07:28 PM
RST Engineering > wrote:
>Thanks, Ross, but that's just the aircraft data file, not the AD or SB 
>files.
>
>Jim
As a rule, the SBs are considered "proprietary" by the vendor and not
freely published. For example, if you want the list of SBs from Piper,
you pay a premium. But you can get them. If you are the registered
owner, the manufacturer is "supposed" to provide the ones relevant
to you.
As for the ADs, each and every one (airframe, powerplant, appliance, et)
are on the FAAs website. Airframe and powerplant are easy to find. It;s
all the appliances, e.g. starters, instruments, etc.
The companies that make money on this are providing the "value" by
making it easier to search for stuff, that's all.
Now, if you're in the A&P and/or IA business and need a collection of
these things, then you may be forced to buy the service or hire
someone to do the searches for you.
Very time-consuming, I might add. I've done the searches for everything
on my cherokee and it was NOT simple. Step one is to identify each
and every item that potentially can have an AD or something. This
meant going thru 37 years of log books, tracking each and every
change. Serial numbers, models, vendor, manufacturer, and so on for
every single silly thing.
Then I could search the AD list for relevant info.
On the other hand, it was something to do last winter when no one
came for 3 days to plow and I was stuck at home. Another advantage
to being out of work. Lots of time to do this.
RST Engineering
August 15th 07, 08:27 PM
Exactly Blanche, and what I remember is a program that was a GUI for the FAA 
site, that would go over all the ADs, TCs, and the like and be (for lack of 
a better word) an indexing program from which you could pick and choose 
probable applicable ADs and such.
For example (from memory, possibly not correct) the C-172E could use Slick 
or Bendix mags, but only one or two model numbers of each.  The program knew 
this from the TC and let you select which particular mag went with the 
aircraft you were inspecting.  Once known (unless the mags were changed) the 
program would keep that particular N number in memory and tell you next year 
whether or not there were any new ADs on that particular model/serial number 
you had.
Jim
-- 
"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."
        --Henry Ford
>
> The companies that make money on this are providing the "value" by
> making it easier to search for stuff, that's all.
Jim Burns[_2_]
August 15th 07, 09:24 PM
Jim,
Could it be Tdata and their templates?  The demo on their website looks like
it does what you suggest.
JimB
"RST Engineering" > wrote in message
...
> Exactly Blanche, and what I remember is a program that was a GUI for the
FAA
> site, that would go over all the ADs, TCs, and the like and be (for lack
of
> a better word) an indexing program from which you could pick and choose
> probable applicable ADs and such.
>
> For example (from memory, possibly not correct) the C-172E could use Slick
> or Bendix mags, but only one or two model numbers of each.  The program
knew
> this from the TC and let you select which particular mag went with the
> aircraft you were inspecting.  Once known (unless the mags were changed)
the
> program would keep that particular N number in memory and tell you next
year
> whether or not there were any new ADs on that particular model/serial
number
> you had.
>
> Jim
>
> -- 
> "If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."
>         --Henry Ford
>
> >
> > The companies that make money on this are providing the "value" by
> > making it easier to search for stuff, that's all.
>
>
RST Engineering
August 15th 07, 09:47 PM
Nope.  TData supplies you a CDROM with all the FAA data on it and the 
"template" simply lists the most probable equipment on a particular model 
aircraft ... it is up to you to verify that it has the right mags, carb, 
prop, etc..  But the data is all on the CDROM and the price reflects the 
fact that they have to send out a new CDROM every month or every quarter.
The stuff I saw, I think, combs the FAA site for every new airplane that you 
do and keeps that data stored for future annuals.  There is no "annual 
renewal fee" unless the software radically changes.
Jim
-- 
"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."
        --Henry Ford
"Jim Burns" > wrote in message 
...
> Jim,
> Could it be Tdata and their templates?  The demo on their website looks 
> like
> it does what you suggest.
> JimB
Jim Burns[_2_]
August 15th 07, 10:33 PM
I'd love to have something like that.  I've found a few "per instance"
services that will email you an N# specific pdf file based on your inputs,
but haven't found anything that will comb the FAA site..... yet.
JimB
"RST Engineering" > wrote in message
...
> Nope.  TData supplies you a CDROM with all the FAA data on it and the
> "template" simply lists the most probable equipment on a particular model
> aircraft ... it is up to you to verify that it has the right mags, carb,
> prop, etc..  But the data is all on the CDROM and the price reflects the
> fact that they have to send out a new CDROM every month or every quarter.
>
> The stuff I saw, I think, combs the FAA site for every new airplane that
you
> do and keeps that data stored for future annuals.  There is no "annual
> renewal fee" unless the software radically changes.
>
> Jim
>
> -- 
> "If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."
>         --Henry Ford
>
>
>
> "Jim Burns" > wrote in message
> ...
>
> > Jim,
> > Could it be Tdata and their templates?  The demo on their website looks
> > like
> > it does what you suggest.
> > JimB
>
>
Blanche
August 16th 07, 12:18 AM
RST Engineering > wrote:
>Exactly Blanche, and what I remember is a program that was a GUI for the FAA 
>site, that would go over all the ADs, TCs, and the like and be (for lack of 
>a better word) an indexing program from which you could pick and choose 
>probable applicable ADs and such.
>
>For example (from memory, possibly not correct) the C-172E could use Slick 
>or Bendix mags, but only one or two model numbers of each.  The program knew 
>this from the TC and let you select which particular mag went with the 
>aircraft you were inspecting.  Once known (unless the mags were changed) the 
>program would keep that particular N number in memory and tell you next year 
>whether or not there were any new ADs on that particular model/serial number 
>you had.
Heavens, I had no idea there was anything from the FAA that was
this spiffy and useful! If anyone finds it again, let me know too!
RST Engineering
August 16th 07, 05:09 PM
As I recall, it wasn't from the FAA, but from a third party software company 
that was in the biz of selling it.  I'm racking my brain to see if it was 
from my IA renewal course or something I stumbled across in the process of 
that renewal.  I thought at the time, "what a hell of a deal" and now of 
course can't reconstruct it.
Jim
-- 
"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."
        --Henry Ford
"Blanche" > wrote in message 
...
>
> Heavens, I had no idea there was anything from the FAA that was
> this spiffy and useful! If anyone finds it again, let me know too!
>
>
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