Aviation From My Rocking Chair: My Aviation History

Howdy to all in Chapter 430. Last February, Skip and Ken came over to our house to interview me and to introduce y’all to my aviation history. Skip did a great job with the information I gave her. After looking over a column I wrote 22 years ago, it appears my memory has failed me once again. With your indulgence, let me try this once more:

-1964-1968 I served in the Marine Corps as an A4 plane captain and as a CH-46 crew chief.

-1968-1969 Attended A&P school at Seattle Comm. College, receiving my license in April 1969, -1969-1970 Boeing Airplane Co. Helped assemble first 34 747s.

-1970-1972 Bell Helicopter. Repair of battle damaged helicopters in Amarillo, TX.

-1972-1973 Arizona Helicopters and Helitech. Mechanic on CDF and USFS fire contracts in N. California, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.

-1973-1980 Hughes Airwest. Aircraft Tech and Lead Tech @PHX, SNA, and BUR.

-1976-1981 I was an I/A and operated my own annual inspection service.

-1980-1987 Air California. Line Maint. Supervisor and Mechanic @SNA.

-1987-2005 American Airlines. Line Maint. Mechanic, and Line QA Inspector SNA, SJC, LAX, and RNO. Retired to Seattle in 2005.

-2006-2016 Museum of Flight. Docent and Research Assistant for Assistant Curator, John Little. And finally, thanks to all of you who were taxpayers in the early 1970’s, I also hold a Commercial Pilot License with a Multi rating. Sadly, I can no longer pass a Physical so I am limited to Light Sport and Ultralights. It is my fervent hope that none of the above comes off as bragging. I only wish to show my dues are paid up. Now I need to change the subject. This column (or any column) lives or dies on input from you, the members. My great loves (aside from my wife, Cathy!) are history and research. If you have a question about aircraft maintenance, parts identification, trouble shooting, I will leave no stone unturned to find an answer. If Aviation history is your thing, you have a friend in me, and I have a lot of friends that can help us answer our questions. So, keep those cards and letters coming or you’ll be stuck with my ramblings. Until next time, I will leave you with this tip: During a top overhaul on an opposed engine, when the cylinders are off, make certain no one turns the prop or crankshaft! Normally the cylinder base through bolts provide Main bearing “pinch” by holding the case halves together. With this tension relieved, it is possible to “spin a bearing,” which means the bearing can turn in its saddle and cover the crankshaft lube holes in the case. When that happens, bearing and/or crank failure occurs very quickly. Again, I would appreciate any comments, gripes, advice, or just questions. I promise to find an answer to all (or dazzle you with bovine effluent!).

Rick Vaux Tech Counselor #4130 ( gotta love that number) techrv@eaa430.org