The teeth on the small gear in this landing gear motor were stripped off, requiring a very careful manual gear extension.  Listen to the podcast and see how it all turned out! The gear motor attaches to the gearbox / drive assembly, which is an amazingly simple, but critical part of the landing gear system […]

Podcast Episode 007 January 1, 2016 Do you own a Piper Cherokee, or some other Piper model?  Are you considering buying one?  If your answer is yes, then you might want to listen to this episode! One item that tends to be overlooked on Piper airplanes, is Service Bulletin 1006.  It is an inspection to […]

Podcast Episode 007 January 1, 2016 Do you own a Piper Cherokee, or some other Piper model?  Are you considering buying one?  If your answer is yes, then you might want to listen to this episode! One item that tends to be overlooked on Piper airplanes, is Service Bulletin 1006.  It is an inspection to […]

December 25, 2015 Merry Christmas everyone! Today we talk about how to CHECK the magneto timing on your airplane engine. This is NOT about how to adjust the timing, but simply how to CHECK it.   In order to check magneto to engine timing, you will need: A timing indicator.  (A popular one is called a […]

December 25, 2015 Merry Christmas everyone! Today we talk about how to CHECK the magneto timing on your airplane engine. This is NOT about how to adjust the timing, but simply how to CHECK it.   In order to check magneto to engine timing, you will need: A timing indicator.  (A popular one is called a […]

Airplane Owner Maintenance Podcast Episode 005 Valuable and Specific Maintenance Training Specific aviation maintenance training is often extremely focused and highly beneficial. Some specific training I’ve had the opportunity to participate in: 1997:  Pratt & Whitney PT-6 engine school in Montreal, Québec, Canada 2003:  American Bonanza Society (ABS) service clinic in Poughkeepsie, New York 2004:  King […]

Airplane Owner Maintenance Podcast Episode 005 Valuable and Specific Maintenance Training Specific aviation maintenance training is often extremely focused and highly beneficial. Some specific training I’ve had the opportunity to participate in: 1997:  Pratt & Whitney PT-6 engine school in Montreal, Québec, Canada 2003:  American Bonanza Society (ABS) service clinic in Poughkeepsie, New York 2004:  King […]

10 Tips for a Safe and Successful Compression Test  Run the engine. Check the mag switch for proper grounding. Be sure your compression testing equipment is calibrated. Use a helper! The person holding the prop is in charge. Special Announcement:  Learn how to produce a podcast!  Take Cliff Ravenscraft’s course, Podcasting A to Z, and get a […]

10 Tips for a Safe and Successful Compression Test  Run the engine. Check the mag switch for proper grounding. Be sure your compression testing equipment is calibrated. Use a helper! The person holding the prop is in charge. Special Announcement:  Learn how to produce a podcast!  Take Cliff Ravenscraft’s course, Podcasting A to Z, and get a […]

Podcast Episode 003 – How to Choose an Inspector or Shop (10 Key Questions to Make the Choice Clear) Read all the way to the bottom for a bonus question that is not in the podcast! Introduction I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! Two more people I’m thankful for: My wife, Maria.  (She worked […]