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Matrix have been designing and manufacturing machine tools in Coventry in the UK since 1913
The devil is in the detail
All of these disasters could have been avoided if the manual had been written correctly!
he suggests that the document needed interpreting into plain English. The technical content, although correct was not easy to read and understand, contributing to the crash where just two passengers miraculously survived. Arguably, if a professional technical author had written the Service Bulletin the disaster could have been avoided. Often, AD’s are written by engineers’ who have a different skill set from that of a professional technical author/ illustrator.
trim tab components. According to the (NTSB) report the manufacturer says that the installation figure is correct but it is viewed from the back of the aircraft (opposite of what the mechanic would see when installing the system). Additionally, the fact that the technical content is questionable suggests that it is not ‘clear, concise and unambiguous’, resulting in the death of 2 crew and 8 passengers.
CARGO OPERATIONS MANUAL WRONG!
2024 sees Matrix join the North West Aerospace Alliance and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship and we are honoured to serve the UK Aerospace tradition.
The Matrix thread grinders have undergone much development over the years and are now available with full Siemens CNC and our own user-friendly software. Development has been made for some of the machines to use a stable stone base as opposed to the traditional cast iron. Our Gear production machines have innovative software with simple easy to use menus and the machine can generate NC programmes automatically through input parameters. The contact surface can be adjusted very easily within the programmes. Looking forward, Matrix will continue to innovate and fine tune our existing machine tools and develop new solutions where we believe them to be the most beneficial to our clients. Matrix Machines are hand built at our state of the art facility in Coventry. Where possible Matrix can offer turnkey packages with bespoke features for the clients benefit. Customers are always welcome to visit our facility and see the machines being built.
As original innovators of thread grinding machines, Matrix has sold thousands of machines worldwide. Very many of these machines are still in use as manual thread grinders producing components from thread gauges and to ring gauges. Some of the machines are in excess of 60 years old and are still accurate and running strongly. As Matrix moved in to the 21st century a decision was made to return to gear manufacture, a technology that goes hand in hand with producing worm shafts. As a result, Matrix now has a range of precision CNC gear cutting and grinding machines to add to our portfolio of thread grinders. Typically, these are targeted at the user for small to medium accurate batch work. However, if required Matrix can adapt for more focused production targets. Our machines are used within the aerospace industry leading and trailing edge screw actuation manufacture, aircraft/space transmission systems, helical landing gear components, main rotor and tail rotor gear for helicopters, space attitude control and deployment of solar panels and antennae.
The National Airlines crash was the result of an individual making significant changes to technical publications outside of any formal process, and without cooperation with other stakeholders. Although the Chief Loadmaster had good intentions, he lacked the skills of a professional technical communicator and simply ‘got it very wrong’, resulting in the death of 7 crew. AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE MANUAL WRONG! The Beechcraft Maintenance manual illustration incorrectly depicted the elevator
SERVICE BULLETIN MISINTERPRETED
Clear, concise and unambiguous instructions could have prevented the disaster. Greg Feith comments (below) about the complexity of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) in this case a Service Bulletin, where
PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL AUTHORSHIP IS CRUCIAL TO SAFETY & CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS
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Neil Langridge (Director) TechWriterUK (Trading name of Liberty360 Limited | 12th May 2024
The role of a professional technical author/illustrator extends far from the edge of the page. Writing clear, concise and unambiguous technical instructions is only the first crucial step towards safety and continued airworthiness. There is a whole bigger picture around the cultural change that is ‘technical authorship’.
technical documentation including the review and approval process.
The accidents described in this article are the worst possible outcomes, however it is a frightening thought that many ‘near misses’ are not reported. The technical authorship/illustration
The crucial first step must be supported by robust review, approval and quality management processes where responsibilities are defined from the c-suite to the mechanic at the end of the line. What might seem to be a few small errors in a procedure can culminate and result in disaster. Individuals can and are, being held accountable for errors in technical content. Where accountability is clearly established the punishment can result in a custodial sentence.
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that we see on a regular basis is often ‘inexact and subject to misinterpretation’.
Join our webinar series where we will be showcasing technical authorship/illustration methods and practices and discussing how to best produce clear, concise and unambiguous
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plane talk summer 2024
www.aerospace.co.uk
@NWAerospace
plane talk summer 2024
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