Misc

Any aircraft owner whos been in the game for awhile soon learns a harsh lesson: Airplanes arent like cars. Parts and pieces that arrive from a vendor may need remedial attention during installation and some will need more than others. But what if a vendor sells a part that wont work no matter what? Two readers recently contacted us to complain about just such a circumstance. Both bought expensive aftermarket mods from companies that assured them the parts would fit their airplanes, only to discover that this wasnt the case.

While I appreciate the favorable coverage our products received in the report in your March issue, Id like the opportunity to add some comments. The only “Thumbs Down” we got was, “The Reiff sump pad proved difficult to install, due to adhesive bonding problems.” The problems described were not the fault of the J-B Weld epoxy, but of improper curing. The article states, “After two hours, we turned on the element to accelerate the…

The Baron owner approached us at an evening pilot meeting. He looked stricken. He had just sold his airplane after more than a year of trying and the selling price was nearly a third lower than he had wanted. “I really never thought things would get this bad,” he said.Welcome to the harsh world of aircraft ownership in the 21st century. Not so long ago, the myth that airplanes were actually a good investment was abroad in the land.

I have just read your excellent reports on cylinders in the last two issues. Great timing, as we had our plane, a Cessna 210 with an IO-520, in the shop for an annual. We had to replace a jug, the fourth one since this factory-new engine was installed in 2001 and now has approximately 1000 hours.

Good column on the recent Cirrus publicity (see December 2006 First Word) and I agree with you, especially the point that the accident record has to do with the pilots, not the airplane. The inevitable result of Cirrus successful strategy to market the airplane to new pilots is the fact that there are now lots of low-time pilots flying complicated aircraft, many on long cross-country missions.

Thirty years ago, when every other airport of any size had a field overhaul shop, runout cylinder cores were money in the bank. Every shop had a shed full of prized cores and most maintained a lively and profitable business in refurbishing jugs for use in engine overhauls.

Buying fuel for your airplane? Then don’t forget your credit card, especially given current fuel prices, which have climbed sharply over the past year or so. Two recent headlines show just how intertwined credit cards and aviation fuel purchases really are.

Garmins new GWX 68 is the first new ships radar design weve seen in years, but its roots extend back many years. Bendix/King originated the KWX56/58 series color radar more than 20 years ago and it proved to be a good performing system with a reasonable price tag.

Having had my Cessna T210 stolen in Mexico, I read your article on anti-theft gadgets with interest. I think your choice of the term “gadget” is most appropriate as I doubt if any of these products have proven efficacy.

Have you had old dobbin repainted recently? Howd that work out? We-and Aviation Consumer subscrib-ers the world over-would like to know.Herewith is the latest iteration of our periodic paint shop survey. But wait…there’s an easier way to take part in the survey. Just log on to www.aviationconsumer.com and click on the surveys button. Your answers will be tallied and sent to the editor. …

Crankcase AcidI just read your article on engine dehydrators. It seems to me that the acidity of the air inside the engine would be at least as important as the humidity. With the Tanis unit recycling the same air, albeit drier, does the acidity of the air decrease, stay the same or become more concentrated? …