I have been reading this thread with quite a lot of concern.
Not for the SB, I think Vans does a great job. And I believe that the company has our best interests at heart. As such the "before next flight" just emphasizes our need to make it an active process and check ASAP. I love it.
I want to say... Thank you Vans for taking the time to think of me.
What I am concerned with is the readiness to blame others for actions that we as a group are responsible for.
I personally believe that the "grape vines" we have are more than adequate to get the SB's out to the respective owners/operators in double time... Especially the ones that actually care about good maintenance practices.
I have had this information come to me via 3 different sources in record time.
Lets just stop and think here about the practicalities of what has occurred:
There are over 7,000 flying RV's, and more than 3 times the amount of kits out there. So that is 21,000 people. I would gather just by statistics, and this is only on the flying ones, that at least 135 people are doing Annual inspections right now, at this moment.
Any one of them SHOULD be reviewing Vans website to confirm the SB's required during inspection and reviewing VAF at the same time for community reference.
We as a community need to keep each other informed (which is happening BTW demonstrated by this thread) and any one of these people can see if the issue has been raised on the forums and post if not.
I personally put my hand up to post an SB if I cannot see the SB has been discussed or posted here.
So please people, please lets stop whining about who has NOT done the right thing, and support those TRYING to do the right thing by us. Lets take some responsibility for getting it done and actively contribute to the benefit of EVERYONE.
Maybe a good idea would be to ASK Vans if they could help this process and post a thread on VAF and note it on their SB's pages. Rather than whinge about them not informing everyone.
In short, lets support our colleagues in this community SUGGEST some options to Vans direct without hitting out in public forums. Lets show unity to the rest of the world.
Now that would definitely help our cause and extended trust with the FAA CASA, and other world authorities.
I have a Chevy Volt, and love it.
But if Chevy published a recall notice that said that I should immediately discontinue driving my car until I perform an important safety inspection, I wouldn't think it to be the responsibility of the Chevrolet Fan-Boy Club's website to be the primary disseminator of critical information such as that.
Nor, should I be expected to cruise past Chevrolet's website daily, in a "just in case" looksee effort.
I would expect it from one of two sources (at least here in the USA). Either the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), who in fact has a website specifically addressing recalls) or...the manufacturer itself, either through a press release or contacting the customers directly.
And, that's exactly what happens.
(The FAA, too, has a website that will send you immediate notices of AD's, Service Bulletins, etc that you can program to alert you as well.)
As others had mentioned, if there had been a timeline given with which to come into compliance, I don't believe there would have been as much heartburn. And, as others have also mentioned, some countries aviation authorities have a much more severe regulatory approach towards flying without complying. Finally, there could still be a financial risk towards the owner regarding insurance coverage, depending on each individual insurer.
You really aren't left with much maneuvering room when left with a "before the next flight" directive and standing there considering your options, at least in my world.
If I was running a company and had something critical like this AND I wanted to get it into the hands of the affected people ASAP, VAF is definitely a resource I would use...among many others, including directly reaching out through the database I ALREADY HAVE ON FILE for each customer who has my product. Because, not every owner can be depended upon coming HERE or to Van's website within the period of time I've mandated.
So, what you consider "whining" I consider to be an observation and a request for Van's to consider upgrading the distribution of obvious, time-sensitive safety information such as this SB in a much more robust fashion than how this was handled.
Again...my 2 cents,
Rob S.
"? It'd be more interesting to read about the (hopefully few) who do find something.
