AD 2017-14-04 affects a huge list of Piper models, including Cherokees, Arrows, and Saratogas. But before we get into that, I wanted to give an update on the alternator brushes mentioned in episode 069.  Here are some pictures of the new brushes I installed in that alternator:               That […]

Your airplane’s alternator is something you depend on, and if it’s not working dependably, it quickly becomes a serious situation. In today’s episode, we talk about some actual charging system issues I’ve encountered recently in the shop where I work, at Classic Aviation, as well as some interesting discussion I found in some online forums […]

Videos mentioned in today’s episode: Mike Busch’s story about his aviation journey:  savvyaviation.com (Scroll down on the home page, and the video is right there.)   Bret Chilcott and his new LED nav lights for his 1947 Stinson: You can buy these nav lights at Aircraft Spruce: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/navstrobesextant40.php (There is also a cheaper version of […]

How do you start your airplane engine?  Is it perfectly “by the checklist,” or some other method?  We’ve talked about this topic in the past, and it will come up again in today’s episode.  Listen in, take the challenge, and see if it might be worth considering a small modification to your starting procedure. Also, […]

What kind of “sticky” are we talking about?  Listen to today’s episode, and you’ll find out. But first, we have a couple of other things to cover: Update on the Cessna 182 that was mentioned in a recent episode, where some pitted lifters and a questionable spot on the camshaft, were found. Follow up on […]

When you taxi up to the maintenance shop, how do you park?  And when you pick up your airplane after maintenance, how is your situational awareness when it comes to starting and taxiing operations? These are a couple of items we discuss in today’s episode. We also cover some listener feedback.  One is a Piper […]

In today’s episode, we talk about a real life situation that is in process right now.  Someone walked in the shop a couple days ago and asked my opinion about some lifters and the cam shaft in this C-182 engine. The following pictures ARE NOT the lifters I referred to in the podcast.  These pictures […]

Sometimes, a “One-Time” AD might need some further attention. In today’s episode, we highlight one of those AD’s.   AD 91-17-01 affects Beechcraft Bonanzas, Barons, Debonairs, and Travelairs.  Listen to today’s episode to hear about the details, and when you might need to be especially aware of this AD. Here are some pictures of the […]

Real-Life maintenance lessons from a Beechcraft Baron that could apply to many different kinds of airplanes: ECI cylinder AD. Fuel selector issue. Cigarette lighter anomaly. Heater decay test. Simple check for engine controls. Oil drain plug safety wiring. Oil leakage at oil cooler. Continental throttle body support studs and nuts.   The top area  with […]

It was such a pleasure to meet Paul and Helen New, the owners of Tennessee Aircraft Services, Inc. in Jackson, Tennessee.   In addition to running the maintenance shop, Paul is a writer, speaker, consultant, and technical advisor for the Cessna Pilot’s Association. Paul soloed the day after his 16th birthday, but he operated the […]