On Wed, 07 Apr 2004 10:25:13 GMT, "Vaughn"
wrote:


"Martin Gregorie" wrote in message
.. .
On 06 Apr 2004 23:47:08 GMT, illspam (Jim Vincent)
wrote:

The PIC handles the controls and initiates the test for
each control surface. The assistant reports which way the surface
moves (up, down, left, right). It is up to the PIC to correlate the
reported direction of movement with what (s)he commanded.

Exactly the opposite of what I have always taught. As the PIC, I want
to be in charge of the force put on the control surface and I want to see,
hear, smell, feel that control surface through its entire movement. That
means that my assistant is moving the stick and I am walking around the
glider touching the control surfaces and looking at everything else.

I never use "up, down, left, right". I substitute "toward me" and
"away from me". Left and right are relative terms at best, and people often
get it wrong. When you move the control stick towards a control surface,
that surface alway goes up; move it away from the control surface and that
surface always goes down...no ambiguity and no error!

I use the PCC solely as a check on control function and will typically
do it directly after rigging, connecting the controls and (preferably)
after a second opinion on the connections but before taping wings etc.
This way the rigging assistants are still there to help with the PCC
and will be detained for the least time: everything after the PCC can
be done by the PIC by himself.

During PCC the calls of Left and right are only for the rudder - up
and down for the rest. Of course its relative - the assistant is not
told which way the surface will move and so has no preconceptions, but
the PIC knows which way he moved the stick and hence which way an
aileron or the elevator should move, e.g. if he moves the stick left
and the assistant doesn't report 'up' for the left aileron then
there's a problem.

I do a complete walk-round after the PCC. This covers all the stuff
you noted, tweaking control surfaces to check for play in hinges or
control circuits and making a careful visual, tactile and auditory
check of the entire exterior, cockpit and straps etc. This is never
delegated.

Following both PCC and walk-round the DI book is written up, any
defects noted and the entry signed.


--
martin@ : Martin Gregorie
gregorie : Harlow, UK
demon :
co : Zappa fan & glider pilot
uk :