News:

02/23/2004 - Patrick Ripp, Mineral Point, has been awarded the FAA Diamond Aviation Maintenance Technician Award for 2003.

The Diamond Certificate is the highest level Maintenance Technician Award presented by the Federal Aviation Administration to Technicians who continue to pursue advanced training beyond their basic certification requirements. The Diamond Certificate requires at least 100 hours of training within a 12-month period. Pat met this requirement by attending the Teledyne Continental Motors Factory School in Mobile, AL. and working with technicians at TAS Aviation in Defiance, OH on Cessna 300 and 400 series Aircraft Inspection Procedures for a week. He also completed an Educational Diversity Course at UW-Platteville and attended an 8-hour FAA Inspection Authorization conference covering topics including aircraft fuel systems, electrical system troubleshooting, and FAA Regulations.

Pat is an Aviation Maintenance Technician Instructor at Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, WI and owns Point Aviation, LLC based at the Iowa County Airport.

12/17/2003 - Pointaviation.com goes live with new website!

Pointaviation.com launched!

7/1/2003 - Pat attends Teledyne Continental factory engine training.

Pat attended the Teledyne Continental Factory Engine School in Mobile, AL. the week of June 23-27, 2003. The school is an in depth study of current production TCM engines and related systems. Topics included:

• General theory of engine operation
• Proper procedures for cylinder removal and replacement
• Fuel injection system set up and adjustments
• 100 Hour/Annual Inspection topics
• Cylinder borescope inspections
• TCM Ignition System theory and adjustments
• A tour or the TCM factory and Engine Test Cell Facilities
• Service Bulletin research and application

A small sneak preview of the TCM/Honda Engine project was a surprise addition to the class content. Hopefully everyone had a chance to view the engine and related materials at OSH in July. Also, TCM's commitment to advancing the technology used in the manufacture and operation of piston engines was evident in the expanding use of computer design and CNC technology in all areas of the manufacturing facility. Of particular interest was the fully computerized engine test cell facility. Once installed in the cell, the entire engine proving run is controlled by computers. Every running parameter of the engine is monitored continuously and the engine will be automatically shut down for troubleshooting if problems are encountered. A great learning experience for anyone interested in how and why these engines work.