Yogi,
yes you are sticking your neck out and that attitude could well earn said neck a good slapping!
all licensed engineers have worked hard for their qualifications - same as pilots - so why do you reckon 2/3 of us are crap?. I know there are some better engineers around than others, and as a contractor, I know which end of the scale I'm in as I would not be employed if i were no good.
If you want to fix your own plane and then fly it, fine, build a kit plane. If not leave well alone.
You suggested a rip off. HA! If you were to buy most parts required for an aircraft locally (ie halfords etc) the cost would be respectable. Then take those same parts and order them from an approved source - ie with a form one - and see a couple of zeros added ontothe price tag. What a suprise, Aviation is expensive. If you can't afford it, don't do it. I'd like to pursue my dream of driving exotic sports cars into walls, but I can't afford it so i dont do it (well not regularly anyway).
The hourly rate for a licensed engineer is usually less than the local garage charge for looking at your car and did that bloke spend years doing exams and getting certificates, and then redoing them when the rules change? I think not.
Just do me a favour and quit moaning
