To: Dave Jackson

You are correct in your description of the chip detector and the Spectrometric Oil Analysis (SOA).

The SOA detects wear metals in the oil which if monitored on a continuing basis will indicate the rate of wear on a specific part based on its’ metallic makeup. (Gears, Bearings, Bushings and other metallic parts that are lubricated in the gear box. The purpose of the SOA is to alert the operator that there is an impending failure within the transmission or engine or whatever is being monitored. In other words the SOA will tell you to pull the unit before chips develop.

However there are a lot of factors that can cause the development of chips or other hard metallic debris in the oil and these occur mainly due to operational overstress, poor quality control of manufacturing processes, improper assembly or poor maintenance or some other outside influence.

[ 14 January 2002: Message edited by: Lu Zuckerman ]</p>

So, what we are all saying here, is it depends on aircraft type and what your manual says. Chip warnings in some cabs are going to be mayday, get down shep!, others are going to be pull and reset circuit breaker, report it when you get home. For ATC, you will have to go with the a/c captain's decision. If he thinks it is a mayday, treat it as one, if he thinks it is a "yawn, stick it in the book mate" minor tech problem, go with that.