Recent content by Dan Thomas

AK means Accessory Kit.

Nope. If it's not in the engine's parts catalog, or listed on an STC that applies to that engine, it's not legal. Homebuilts are an exception.

It would take some doing to get a propstrike on a trike, but some actually achieve it. The nosegear is usually bent or broken, though, in such cases.

Spring tabs: https://simpleflying.com/how-are-flight-controls-moved/ Halfway down the page.

Propeller mass via direct drive takes longer to stop. The geared Rotax uses a smaller engine with less rotating mass and runs it faster to make the HP, and the propeller's inertial force is reduced by that gearing so it stops sooner.

Nick.

Getting a look at the camshaft requires the removal of at least one cylinder, and that only lets you look at half the length of the cam. Borescope the cylinders. If they aren't pitted, remove a magneto. Are the gears in there rusty? If not, cut open the oil filter. Is there metal in it? If not...

You cannot resell your guitar training. You bought it, you got it. Nobody can pay you for it and instantly be able to play the guitar. But people regularly buy airplane kits for, say, $40K, put another $25K worth of engine and instruments in them, and sell them for well over $65K. There are...

Lycoming's old O-145 had the plugs both up top. Didn't seem to work well at all. It was advertised as a 65 HP engine, but most users found it to be closer to 50 HP. Very smooth, though. Surefly and P-Mag are both "breakerless" magnetos. They have been troublesome for many users. Lycoming has...

So true. That turbine doesn't lurch forward every time a cylinder fires and decelerate on every compression stroke. It's a Brayton-cycle engine, so it's rotation is smooth, and the gearing doesn't have to deal with massive torsional vibration as with the Otto-cycle piston engine.

If it was possible, we would see someone doing it. The barriers to such aircraft are huge. The rules that apply to them are the same rules, pretty much, as the rules that apply to any Cessna or Piper. It's more than the cost of an engine and the airframe and instruments. There is labor, of...

Of course. That's why the bolts that are supposed to retain that emergency door plug on the 737s were all there, right? I know all about wear specifications, and I know how those specs are routinely ignored. Why else do we see magneto and alternator and vacuum-pump failures in GA, even in...

I wish more people would take an interest in learning new skills. When I was a kid, I think the majority of men could change the sparkplugs plugs and ignition points in their cars, change the oil, change the tires, change a headlight, change a fan belt, fix the clothes dryer, clear a plumbing...

As was pointed out several times, the cowling is just reinforced sheet metal, and to be safe and effective it mush be properly restrained. Now, judging by what I have found many times on light-aircraft cowlings, the latches and hinges get worn, but the mechanics just keep using them instead of...