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Old 07-29-2016, 12:02 AM   #1
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THOR #4032
If Thor built airplanes, would you fly in one?

My wife and I have been having a discussion on quality builds, and she made the comment "If Thor built airplanes would you fly in one?"

I thought back about the various airplanes I have flown in: Cesnna 152, 140, 120, 180. Stinsons, Wacos, Pipers, etc. Every one was built one at a time and in thinking about it there was zero tolerance for sloppy workmanship.

Can you imagine someone putting the propeller on backwards and nobody noticed it? Instruments that were not connected. A leaky fuel tank. Faulty wiring. Defective radios?

Bottom line, no pilot would put up with it.

Now I want you to know I like our Ace, but if Thor built airplanes would you fly in one?

Just asking....

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Old 07-29-2016, 12:08 AM   #2
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Simply no.
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Old 07-29-2016, 12:12 AM   #3
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My short answer after hauling aircraft parts to the major manufactures ....... If god had wanted me to fly...He would have given me feathers
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Old 07-29-2016, 12:18 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by saddlesore View Post
My short answer after hauling aircraft parts to the major manufactures ....... If god had wanted me to fly...He would have given me feathers
I am sure that there would be many, many safety checks before an airplane was delivered to the buyer, so yes, I would fly in an airplane made by Thor. It is interesting to note this post may be removed as a moderator may not like it. It is not meant to create problems, just good fun.
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Old 07-29-2016, 12:29 AM   #5
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As a pilot since 1975, and having flown many types, worked on some of the most top secret airplanes in the world, restored several other older planes, you get to understand the importance of quality engineering and workmanship. I've been complaining about the poor workmanship that this country produces for many years. The poor workmanship found in most of the RV industry is just more proof of why I feel the way I do.
So to answer the question, absolutely not.
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Old 07-29-2016, 12:35 AM   #6
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I would but only after it had a few hundred hours on it...let someone else get it working
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Old 07-29-2016, 12:53 AM   #7
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Not defending Thor's quality control, but if you add up all the components in the RV, labor, dealer markup, overhead, and profit Ill bet there is not much wiggle room. What really surprises me are the stories of quality problems with the really high end coaches.
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Old 07-29-2016, 01:31 AM   #8
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If Thor built airplanes, would you fly in one?

I'm pretty sure one built like motorhomes are currently being constructed would not remain in the air for long.

However that's not a totally fair comparison. There are many laws. regulations and required inspections that prevent shoddily constructed Airplanes from being flown.

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Old 07-29-2016, 02:16 AM   #9
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So, you want a two million dollar aviation compliant coach. Every part, screw, nut, bolt, must have a traceable list back to the original manufacturer. The record keeping alone would add so much paperwork to your rv that you would need a tow behind enclosed trailer to haul all of the crap.

You are riding in an earthquake blasting down a road. Not anything is safety wired.
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Old 07-29-2016, 02:18 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by Amre2me2 View Post
As a pilot since 1975, and having flown many types, worked on some of the most top secret airplanes in the world, restored several other older planes, you get to understand the importance of quality engineering and workmanship.
So to answer the question, absolutely not.
I have delivered to a Russian 124 or a 225 Anatov many times... You think that the allied planes may be lacking, You ain't seen nuttin! Their builds left me wondering how they stay in the air.
Just to give the readers a idea of just how huge these Russian transports are..
This is my Peterbilt hauling a section of a 737 body parked under the wing... & NO it is not photoshopped!
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Old 07-29-2016, 02:23 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Montgomery View Post
My wife and I have been having a discussion on quality builds, and she made the comment "If Thor built airplanes would you fly in one?"

I thought back about the various airplanes I have flown in: Cesnna 152, 140, 120, 180. Stinsons, Wacos, Pipers, etc. Every one was built one at a time and in thinking about it there was zero tolerance for sloppy workmanship.

Can you imagine someone putting the propeller on backwards and nobody noticed it? Instruments that were not connected. A leaky fuel tank. Faulty wiring. Defective radios?

Bottom line, no pilot would put up with it.

Now I want you to know I like our Ace, but if Thor built airplanes would you fly in one?

Just asking....
Then again, to answer the question.... would I fly in any airplane made by any auto manufacturer with maybe the exception of the Bugatti Veyron? NO. Just look at all of the recalls going on with auto industry, i.e., airbags, etc... I have received at least three notices of the airbag recall (pieces of shrapnel will kill me if deployed....) on a car I currently own.... The dealer continues to tell me that they don't have the parts and put me on a waiting list. At least with an RV the problem can be fixed one way or another....
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Old 07-29-2016, 02:34 AM   #12
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Moot point -- it'd be too heavy to get off the ground.
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Old 07-29-2016, 04:03 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by nosticks View Post
So, you want a two million dollar aviation compliant coach. Every part, screw, nut, bolt, must have a traceable list back to the original manufacturer. The record keeping alone would add so much paperwork to your rv that you would need a tow behind enclosed trailer to haul all of the crap.

You are riding in an earthquake blasting down a road. Not anything is safety wired.
No, maybe a $50K Cessna 152
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Old 07-29-2016, 04:06 AM   #14
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Moot point -- it'd be too heavy to get off the ground.
Good one but you can fly a lawn mower if you put enough power on it.
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Old 07-29-2016, 04:57 AM   #15
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Since the post is “just for fun.” Perhaps answer the question with another question.
… If you gave Boeing or Lockheed (or NASA) … the plans and stripped chassis design and asked them design and build to exactly replicate the structure and all systems to current aircraft commercial aircraft specifications, conduct all test flights etc. And absolutely assure not a single failure in any system for multiple years and without maintenance by skilled professionals after each start up and long or short distance move. You would probably have a “quite nice” RV. Now park it side by side with a standard RV from Thor which looks the same and which has the same “functionality.” Look at the price … which one would you buy?
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Old 07-29-2016, 05:04 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by TerryJames View Post
Since the post is “just for fun.” Perhaps answer the question with another question.
… If you gave Boeing or Lockheed (or NASA) … the plans and stripped chassis design and asked them design and build to exactly replicate the structure and all systems to current aircraft commercial aircraft specifications, conduct all test flights etc. And absolutely assure not a single failure in any system for multiple years and without maintenance by skilled professionals after each start up and long or short distance move. You would probably have a “quite nice” RV. Now park it side by side with a standard RV from Thor which looks the same and which has the same “functionality.” Look at the price … which one would you buy?
You likely couldn't afford to touch the Boeing....so Thor would be your only option. Good point.
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Old 07-29-2016, 06:01 AM   #17
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You likely couldn't afford to touch the Boeing....so Thor would be your only option. Good point.
I'd pick the Boeing, because I won it in a raffle.

Ken
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Old 07-29-2016, 10:08 AM   #18
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Hell NO!
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Old 07-29-2016, 12:16 PM   #19
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Quality

Bob, you are comparing apples against oranges. Next you'll be comparing RVs against surgery equipment. Does not apply.
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Old 07-29-2016, 12:57 PM   #20
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Hope is not inspected or certified by RVIA..RVIA maintains an inspection program to monitor compliance of the plumbing, heating, fire and life safety, and the electrical systems of the RVs manufactured by its members in conformance to the ANSI/NFPA 1192 standard for RVs. Yea right
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