Air Prayer

We are implementing a new problem tracking process at my employer, McClatchy Newspapers. The process employs a software application offered by Computer Associates. This application makes extensive use of ITIL. ITIL stands for Information Technology Infrastructure Library and is a set of common terms and processes used to identify incidents and resolutions. To drive home the concept of ITIL they had us engage in an Apollo 13 mission. We had to use the concepts we had learned to help solve the problems the astronauts on Apollo 13 were experiencing. It may have been just a game but let me tell you it was intense. Despite the dry subject material this was probably the most clever and entertaining training session I have ever attended.

Hats off to CA and the Dutch inventor of the game (sorry my friend, can’t remember your name, Jan somethingorother). Great job guys!

PS.  Yes, we got the astronauts home alive!

I’ve finally come up with a plan for my cracks. The factory which makes the kit ( Van’s Aircraft ) has said that I can stop drill the cracks and just watch to make sure they don’t spread (which they are not expecting to happen.) I’ve had other advice that I should remove the wing and drill that whole skin off and put a new skin on. The most sensable advice came from a friend who built a similar airplane. Aside from being a Godly man in his own right, he is a retired materials engineer. He agreed that the cracks on the wing skin didn’t pose any hazard to flight but that if it were him he just couldn’t stand looking at them. So I’m going to follow his advice which involves drilling out the rivets in the affected area from the fuel tank all the way back to the trailing spar. Then place a doubler skin on top of this that will cover the entire wing in the affected area. This will do two things; hide the cracks, and provide extra support for errant feet. Once painted over it will look like it was designed that way.

As for the cracks on the trailing edge of the elevator, well, I’m just going to rebuild both elevators. I’m looking at this as an opportunity to replace my manual trim system with electric trim. Just got to get this bird into painting shape!

O Holy and most Merciful Father,
Consider thy daughter.
Comfort her when she fears,
Reassure her when she doubts,
Watch over her while she sleeps,
Catch her when she stumbles,
Hold her when she weeps.
Never have I known a more Godly woman
Who seeks after You night and day.
She prays on my behalf without ceasing.
She prays over our children nightly.
She walks with You in the morning.
Lord, grant her many years on earth,
That we may enjoy her company,
And see Your love and light,
Radiated through her.
Your Spirit is in her.
She showers us with unconditional love.
Holy Father, you have blessed the work of her hands,
And those who dwell with her.
Merciful Father, grant my request;
May all her days be blessed,
May the fruits of her labors be abundant,
May Your Grace shower her and fill her,
All the days of her life.

Amen.

Just got an email from the factory regarding some cracking in my wing skins.  The official word is no problemo.  I can just stop drill the cracks (making sure not to drill into the spar.)  I’ll have to ream out the elongated hole on my landing gear leg but it’s not critical at this point.  Big sigh of relief.

I just upgraded to WordPress 2.01.  It hasn’t been easy.  Probably because I can’t follow directions.  The site is finally back up 100% after 24 hours of “iffy” status.  I don’t think I’ll upgrade minor versions anymore.