waywardtravel wrote:
I know the aircraft industry uses more lightweight materials in more application but, do I understand that every time you use your torque wrench you check it's calibration?

With verification of two other eyes? If so how often are your calibration tools checked by I assume the FAA?
I work in aviation at a repair station, and we are not allowed to have personal torque wrenches in the facility. We have a room that provides them for us and they are "bumped checked" after every use. If they bump check more than 10% off they must be sent in for calibration. I don't remember how long one calibration is good for, but once the time frame of the calibration is up, it requires an official calibration and a new sticker. the manufacturer does this for us. Also if the tool is dropped, it has to be taken out of use, and re checked. And when torquing in aviation, it's not uncommon to have two people check torque settings, and one to witness the torque. I'm required to have a member of quality assurance watch the torque, verify its accuracy against the manuals/prints, check calibration dates, and stamp my paperwork. Calibrated tools have different times that the calibration is good for. Terminal crimpers are usually only 3 months, multimeters are good for a year. I don't remember the torque wrench time frame.
I do feel it's unrealistic to believe that everything in automotive will get torqued, I wish it would/could, but there's not many shops and dealerships that are going to torque everything to spec. I really dont think I couldve torqued the UCA rear bolts on mine without pulling the starter off, possibly steering shaft etc. If we kept up with cars the way aircrafts are maintained, they would last nearly forever and be amazingly safe, however, none of us could afford to drive because of high maintenance costs. I'll torque all engine components and ultra sensitive things, but I'm not going to torque everything, neither is your local shop.
Sorry for getting off topic to the OP.