ACESystems was founded in 1993. There were two things that prompted the birth.
In 1986 I had a T337 cleaned by a detail company via the telephone book in Phoenix, AZ. Upon completion of the job I taxied to the active and began the initial takeoff roll and found the ASI (air speed indicator) bouncing between 0 to 40 and so on. I aborted the takeoff and later discovered the vanes of the ASI disturbed by what appeared to be extreme high water pressure entering the pitot tube.
In 1991 following a study of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports through the libraries of Arizona State University, University of Texas, Arlington and the NTSB, I found less than 100 cases (accidents/incidents) that may or may not have been the direct result of the people cleaning the Airplane. However in 1992, I found one report of a fatal injury accident that occurred in 1989 that was the result of the people cleaning or detailing the Aircraft. Initial findings included "cracked connection where the nylon vain meets the pitot connector probably due to excessive high pressure or force. And a paste like substance found obstructing the air passage of both Alternate Static Ports". The concluding studies found this substance to be automotive paste wax.
In 1992 I spoke with the FTW FSDO (Fort Worth Flight Standards District Office) and asked if there is a certification to clean Aircraft. Following a brief time their answer was No. I asked to make an appointment and took my findings with me. As you know you have to be FAA certified as an Air Agency Repair Station or an A&P to do almost anything to an Airplane. The manager at the time was not so surprised but disturbed by reading the direct result of a fatality but also: "Landing gear failure due to damaged lock down micro-switch"
"No elevator response, a plastic bottle found lodged between the elevator and horizontal stabilizer. Aircraft ran off the end of the runway". True, it is the responsibility of the Pilot to check for these things. None the less it is our job and responsibility to inspect and make sure the customer will have a safe flight with the best of our knowledge and workmanship.
The FTW FSDO asked that I write the Manual and upon approval they will issue a Certification. I received it November 23, 1993.
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