Maintenance

Sooner or later you’ll be faced with repairing or replacing an original-equipment engine or system gauge. It is impressive that many OEM manifold pressure, fuel flow, pressure and other gauges produced more than 60 years ago continue to function today. But without regular maintenance, their accuracy could be compromised. One option is to upgrade to an all-in-one electronic engine display, but that requires a sizable investment that might be questionable for basic aircraft.The cheaper alternative is to repair or replace an existing gauge. Here is a field report on available options and the limitations you might encounter.

Amid all of the buzz surrounding the announcement of L-3 Aviations low-cost NGT-1000 ADS-B solution, Ive been talking with avionics shops to see just how realistic its estimated $3000 installed price will be. You can read all about the entire L-3 Lynx ADS-B product line-which has plenty of options at multiple price points-on page 11 of this issue. But based on my discussions with experienced installers, L-3s entry-level NGT-1000 ADS-B Out system isn’t exactly the cure-all for mass, mandate compliance, and that has as much to do with the real costs of installation as it does tightening competition. Good shops consider this, and so should you. An ADS-B project can be the perfect setup for sizable cost overruns and buyer remorse.

You wouldnt install a used oil filter on a new or overhauled engine, would you? Of course you wouldnt, and for the same reason, you shouldnt reconnect the oil cooler without replacing it, or at least having it properly serviced. Often one of the most neglected components under the cowling, the oil cooler on your engine could be in desperate need of servicing, even if its not begging for attention by dribbling oil on the hangar floor. Luckily, there are relatively inexpensive replacement and overhaul options that might provide insurance against premature engine wear. Lets have a look.

Unless your aircraft has never been modified, there is a good chance there are at least some discrepancies in its weight and balance data. I learned that firsthand when I worked as an avionics tech, discovering equipment that was installed and removed from some aircraft without being documented. Computing a new report for these aircraft was pointless. After all, you need to start a revision with accurate basic empty weight and reference datum figures. In many cases, the only way to do that is to have the aircraft weighed.

While the aircraft battery box is a thankless component that has to be inspected annually, its often neglected by owners and even by some mechanics. Thats a bad thing because a battery box has more critical functionality than you might think. Neglect can lead to unnoticed airframe corrosion, engine starting problems, audio system noise and other electrical system nags.

Youve owned a Cessna 182 for several years and youve got it set up just the way you want-except you want it on floats. Can it be done for a reasonable cost or is it better to sell and buy a seaplane you like?

For small flight schools, even those with a dozen airplanes, the cost of airframes is a big economic driver. But for the mega schools like Embry Riddle and the University of North Dakota, price isn’t a deal breaker. Maintenance cost and dispatch reliability loom large because the schools fly thousands of hours.

Last winter we reported on the CIES digital fuel sender retrofit for earlier Cirrus models. To recap, the modification is intended to better the accuracy of the original analog float-type fuel quantity senders used in first and second generation SR20 and SR22 aircraft.

It’s been nearly three years since BendixKing announced its commitment to revitalize the brand name that once stood for quality, value and industry-leading innovation. At the time, the announcement hinted there would be a repeat of an era when King Radio was king of the avionics market.

We stand on them, we ride them, we ignore them-and yet, fortunately, they rarely let us down. However, as good as brakes have become, their enemies are still neglect and corrosion, which can lead to that horrible feeling of nobodys home when you rock forward with your toes-followed shortly by the sounds of bending metal.

In the years since Savvy Aircraft Maintenance Management (SAMM) (January 2009 Aviation Consumer) brought managed aircraft maintenance from the turbine to the owner-flown piston world, the company’s practice of analyzing the engine monitor data of its clients has resulted in the collection of a massive database. According to company founder Mike Busch, it has the engine data from more than 600,000 flights.