What Do I Need To Know About Aircraft Maintenance in Winter?
With winter coming around, you also get a fresh set of challenges when we're talking about aircraft maintenance. Adjusting your plane to cold weather does take a bit of planning ahead of time, especially before winter fully kicks in. Cold weather poses certain challenges that could make it unsafe and difficult to fly your aircraft. Take note that low temperature affects the viscosity of the engine oil, the airframe, its landing gear struts, batteries, and the fuel system. Engine preheating and preventive maintenance measures are necessary to keep your small aircraft in top form during the cold months. You will ...
What’s a Simple Way To Detect Oil Leaks in an Aircraft?
On small aircraft with piston engines, engine oil leaks are a fairly common problem. We're talking about small airplanes such as those from Cirrus, Cessna, Beechcraft, Diamond, Mooney, or Piper. Low levels of oil due to leaks should be identified right away, as these can cause major engine damage if neglected or left unattended. To quickly detect oil leaks in your small aircraft, you may either use a UV flashlight or a UV dye kit-- both of which are readily available online. Ultraviolet blacklight can reveal leaks as a bright fluorescent yellow or green glow. Routine inspection, quality control, or ...
What Should I Expect When Doing Aircraft Maintenance and Spring Cleaning?
It is the responsibility of every plane owner to think about routine aircraft maintenance and the occasional spring cleaning. Aircraft maintenance is important because it not only extends the life of your aircraft, it is also necessary for making sure that your aircraft will perform safely for the expected period of time. Regular maintenance of your plane and periodic spring cleaning represent preventative measures against long-term damage. Your aircraft should undergo different levels of inspection through a recommended maintenance schedule. Take note that every responsible plane owner should know the basics of aircraft maintenance. So while you should be able ...
What Should I Look for in an Airplane Mechanic?
Here’s a list of things you should look for in an airplane mechanic, especially when it comes to aviation certifications and skills. Your aircraft needs regular maintenance and inspections in order to fly safely. Aircraft have a lot of sensitive parts-- avionics, an exhaust system, flight controls, and so much more-- all of which require the care and expertise of a highly qualified airplane mechanic to make sure everything is running reliably, smoothly, and at peak performance. First things first: Make sure that you only deal with an FAA-certified airplane mechanic specializing in powerplant and airframe. Technicians who hold ...
Planning On Buying A Used Aircraft? Things To Keep In Mind.
One of the most obvious advantages of buying a used aircraft is the significantly lower price compared to its brand new counterpart. However, another lesser-known benefit is that a well-maintained used plane has a proven track record (FYI, factory-fresh planes are not always more reliable than well-maintained pre-owned ones). What is the most important thing when buying a used aircraft? Always perform an in-depth pre-purchase inspection because it reveals potential flaws that may cause thousands of dollars to repair. Also, knowing the "real" condition of the aircraft allows you to renegotiate its price, taking into account the repair and ...