Decisions That We Make As PIC! GO or No GO!!

[NW_Pilot]

Hello, With respect to the airworthiness of airplanes and the Decisions that we have to make As PIC's! You know GO!! or No GO!! I have found myself in more than 1 situation where I believed the airplane was not fit for flight and declined to fly the thing and walked away!

I know I am not a mechanic but I know a little about fiberglass. The latest one was an experimental “Glasair I” the wing root fairings were delaminating from the Fuselage and 1/2 assed fixed with an unknown epoxy?

From reading the annual condition reports and the over all visual shape of the aircraft I had to decline flying the aircraft. Went home and gave the customer a 100% refund.

No telling what other hidden problem can be inside the airplane and I am not going to fly it coast to coast in it's condition I don't need the money that bad.

I just hope the person that fly's this little birdie to Southern FL makes it "It may just make it" that is if he can find a pilot to do it!!

 

[avbug]

Never be afraid to say no, regardless of the consequences.

 

[NW_Pilot]

Never be afraid to say no, regardless of the consequences.

I agree!!!

 

[icefr8dawg]

delaminating and a composite aircraft.....run away man. Now I'm not positive but don't the I's have a fairing that's actually part of the wing? If the builder couldn't get that part right imagine what the important areas may be hiding...?

 

[NW_Pilot]

delaminating and a composite aircraft.....run away man. Now I'm not positive but don't the I's have a fairing that's actually part of the wing? If the builder couldn't get that part right imagine what the important areas may be hiding...?

That’s exactly what I did "I ran away very fast"



The buyer is the original builder he sold it 10 years ago it looks like it went through 3 or 4 owners since he sold it! Looks like the buyer did not have a “pre-buy” done. In conversation the buyer stated when he built it; it was an award winning aircraft!! I see this all the time no “pre-buy” new owner gets the bird and is very upset with the seller on it's condition!!

The buyer seemed a little upset “not with me but with the seller” the next day when he called me I told him sorry it’s not worth the risk and the reasons why and that he will have to find some other pilot to ferry it because I will not be!

I don’t walk away from many aircraft but when that voice in me head and gut says Ummmm!!! No I listen to it and never second guess it!

 

[gsrcrsx68]

100% refund? You are a nice guy for that and a smart guy for walking away.
In my opinion.

 

[NW_Pilot]

100% refund? You are a nice guy for that and a smart guy for walking away.
In my opinion.

Airplane was local took me a hour to go and do a look see I had other things to do in the area, Now if I had to spend an entire day getting there and found this out I defiantly would have billed the guy for my time!