Probably because no "airplane parts store" (including the highly respected
discounter o'them all, Chief) carries anything but Phillips.

Now that you've put the bug in my ear, I'm gonna order a bag of a hundred
each of the flatheads I use on the inspection plates and the pan
heads/flatheads that hold on the cowling. These two are the primary
offenders on The Manly HighWing 182. I'll be glad to order some for you if
you tell me the thread and the length. A point or B point? Stainless or
alloy? I don't go through the NAPA airplane store, but through an
industrial supply company that DOES have traceable parts.

I'm gonna replace stainless with stainless. They are a BIT harder and don't
rust up quite as bad. Stainless to speednut has never been a problem
insofar as I know.

Jim


"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
ups.com...
Is it illegal to subsitute Torx (or square-drive) screws in
certificated aircraft? If so, why?

Nope.

Okay, that said, why is it that everyone (that I've seen, anyway)
continues to use the (too easily strippable) Phillips screws?

Inertia? Cost? No one has thought of it? No one else cares, cuz
their A&Ps do all the work?

It just seems so bloody obvious, yet I've never seen a certificated
plane with anything but Phillips screws.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"