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  1. Leo O'Farrell

    Would you fly with PIREP's like these

    SFO UUA /OV SFO270008/TM 2038/FL030/TP P28A/TB SEV-EXTRM 030-020/RM ALSO REPORTED BY C172 HAF UA /OV SQL-HAF/TM 2145/FL025/TP C172/TB OCNL LGT HAF UA /OV HAF/TM 2145/FL025/TP C172/TB MOD 015-025 Did some touch and goes yesterday and thought of flying for cheap fuel today, but seeing these...
  2. Leo O'Farrell

    Starter noise, 0300A on first start in cold weather

    On my last few Saturday breakfast flights I noticed a not normal noise when first pulling the starter cable. Seems to be as it's not fully engaging, just for a second then cranks. When returning, not noticed. Wondering if the cable is out of adjustment (needs a little more tension) or if...
  3. Leo O'Farrell

    Can this headliner zipper be repaired in place?

    The zipper in my old 172 headliner has separated from the overall headliner. Could it be hand sewn in place. Duct tape just isn't doing it.
  4. Leo O'Farrell

    Time estimate to swap carburetor

    Hi, My 1959 C172 with the 0300A developed a fuel leak from the carb accelerator pump bowl. I thought about it (perhaps getting parts having a new gasket installed, but from my experience with older Ford trucks) obtained an overhauled carb from Aircraft Spruce who had it in stock. When it...
  5. Leo O'Farrell

    Ex. of W&B w/wo rear seat in C172

    Hi, I'm looking for an example of a Weight and Balance document with and without the rear seat of a C172. I'm interested in trying to fly my 1959 C172 as a utility aircraft, using some type of strap to hold down the typical behind and on the rear seat cargo (sleeping bag, tools, oil, first...
  6. Leo O'Farrell

    Haze and visibility

    Flew back from Sacramento towards Oakland in the late afternoon. The haze was impairing visibility. Used flight following and kept and eye out, could see well to the ground but it was really hard to navigate and scan for traffic. Think some smoke from forest fires is really mixing into the...
  7. Leo O'Farrell

    Photo of SF Bay Tour one locaton

    Have seen some iconic ariel photographs from here, now took one after flying numerous touch and goes at Palo Alto last week. Had flown from home base at Oakland, the usual route, mid-span of the San Mateo Bridge, sunken ship and over the Dunbarton Bridge to PAO downwind 31. I have often...
  8. Leo O'Farrell

    Stall warning malfunction - 1959 Cessna

    During pre-flights over the past month or so, I power up the Master and check lights, stall warning buzzer and fuel gages. The stall became intermittent and has now gone non-existent. I flew Saturday and did some power off stalls just to confirm, and there is no warning at all. Wondering...
  9. Leo O'Farrell

    Replaced Wakmann 8 day clock

    This may seem insignificant, but my Wakmann 8 day clock was stopping more and more, and it bothered my in flight. I was like a caricature of a pilot tapping then pounding on an instrument to get it to work. Then going to jeweler after jeweler to find they couldn't open it or fix. A watch...
  10. Leo O'Farrell

    Randolphs Battery box paint - C172

    Pulled my Gill 25 battery last night for servicing and to prepare to swap out the slow acting solenoid, and noticed some battery acid corrosion. Also, think the last time I cleaned and painted the box, the paint was't completely dry, so battery removal pulled some of the paint off. How long...
  11. Leo O'Farrell

    15 or more seconds from pulling master to power

    Hi, My 1959 Cessna 172 has the old school master switch. Since the weather has turned cold, it can take up to 15 or more seconds after pulling the master for the beacon to start turning, power to the fuel gages, stall warning, etc. Whats going on and what might I have to do to fix this...
  12. Leo O'Farrell

    C172 fuel efficiency - how to maximize 0300 MPG

    Lately, have been shifting my Jeep into neutral on downhills to save fuel, and am wondering how to save fuel while flying. Is is safe and OK for the engine to operate at the lower end of the green range, leaned to the max? Say 2,250 RPM. Other tips?
  13. Leo O'Farrell

    Calm at surface, smooth at 3,000 up with winds

    This is a weather question. Yesterday, doing a dusk out night return from Oakland to O88 (Rio Vista where the fuel is cheap) it was smooth at 3,500 heading East, with a strong headwind. On the descent into the delta airport next to an ever growing windfarm, the air was rough and turbulent all...
  14. Leo O'Farrell

    Half Moon Bay for Mavricks this Sunday

    My daughter is into surfing and Mavericks is this Sunday. The Mavericks website reports parking for the event is at the airport. http://mavericksinvitational.com/ Has anyone been recently, and did they close the airport? I'd like to fly in and walk to the event area, apparently the Piliar...
  15. Leo O'Farrell

    Intercom or radio transmit issue

    On the past few flights the following issue emerges, usually after 20 or minutes of flight: The sidetone is lost on all transmissions to the tower or center. They seem able to receive my broadcast transmission, but my voice doesn't seem to broadcast loudly. Calling up ground, tower, or...
  16. Leo O'Farrell

    Continential 0200/0300 new design cylinders and real gaskets pushrod tubes

    Hi all, Had a real gaskets kit installed at significant expense, but it didn't stop the leak. So, pulled the six cylinders and drove them to Lycon. After cleaning, they are finding the cylinders (4TCM, 2 ECI) to all have cracks in the head area. My questions is if I order the...
  17. Leo O'Farrell

    Broken Cylinder base stud - 0300

    Hi all, What would cause a a cylinder base stud #5 or right front cylinder to fail? This is the lower left (8 o'clock) stud that sheered at the base. Turns out this is one of the many through studs in this engine. In the middle of doing a top overhaul now, and learned the piston pin on #4...
  18. Leo O'Farrell

    Ward Larsen - "Fly by Night"

    Good story about DC3's and geo-political type thriller. Enjoyed some of his other aviation themed novels.
  19. Leo O'Farrell

    Altimeter vacilating on climb

    After replacing worn and sagging shock mounts in the panel, on the first flight afterwards, the altimeter movement was abnormal in climb. The needle reached an altitude and bounced. In descent the movement seemed more normal. I must of pulled something loose. Any suggestions? Think I'll need...
  20. Leo O'Farrell

    Replacing Scat hose to defrost vent in old 172

    Hi, In the middle of annual and worked hard to remove a 50 year old scat tube from the heat bar to the pilot vent on the top of the cowl. Getting the old green clamp off was really tough. Now, is there a technique to install the new scat - I'm on my back with head pressed on the rudder pedals...
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