Have you ever wondered if what you have been told, what you have been made to believe in, serves you right? I have!
I started my adventure and work in aircraft engineering over 30 years ago. Aircraft has always been my passion and becoming an aircraft technician was a dream coming true. Already in my early years, I became part owner of the GAF Nomad aircraft. It goes without saying that I spent many hours working on it, both in the workshop but also in the terrain. Where the aircraft was, I also had to be there, if maintenance was needed. It was often an adventure, as well as a challenge. When you are the aircraft technician, and you need to service or fix aircraft outside the normal conditions i.e. in the workshop, you must be creative. Often the needed tools are not there. You never truly know in advance what needs fixing, so you do not always have the full or perfect kit with you. I loved those challenges. Situations like that make you think outside the box and make the work so interesting and creative.
My Nomad had often issues with chip alert signals – metal debris appeared to be in the engine, wearing the engine down. I simply could not understand where the debris was coming from. “Use a screwdriver when opening the metal oil can”, and “What is wrong with Leatherman key to open the can” – I often heard. I did what so many mechanics did. I was young so I followed the industry habits and beliefs. That was till I started wondering – could it be that those chip alerts are related to metal debris in the actual oil due to the way I had been opening the oil cans? And indeed, that was the case! And that is how TheCanKey story started.
I spent the next couple of years thinking and designing my first product – TheCanKey can opener. I worked with a Danish company to perfect the design, create the production mould and find the best material. As a result, the product was born in 2006. Simple, durable, easy to use and most important FOD-free. I had it tested by an independent lab Saybolt to confirm its reliability. The product was certified as FOD-free. It was the start of the company, and over the years extra products were added – all to support the FOD-free work of the aircraft technician, make that work smarter, and make aircraft maintenance more efficient and safer. Next to TheCanKey can opener, today I offer also FunnelCaps for easy oil filling, and DustCaps to protect opened cans from dust and debris.
Aircraft mechanics know how expensive, demanding and time-consuming engine repairs can be. Often we chase engine failures based on misleading information – like oil presence not due to the engine fault but due to oil spill during the filling process. Many of those mistakes and expenses can be avoided by using the right tools and methods.
I chose not to follow the old habits; I chose to challenge the old beliefs. There is no industry that stands still, and there is always room for new thinking and creative solutions.
For more information visit: https://thecankey.com
