Maintenanceland

Pilots,

Some exciting maintenance updates for all:

Cessna 68U has a rebuilt nose strut

Cessna 20U's engine has completed her break-in

Cessna 04H's engine is in many pieces.

Cessna 1ES has a new starter.

Cessna 17J will get a new Alternator tomorrow.

Piper 85Y will be going down for her scheduled 100hr inspection tomorrow morning. This is usually a lengthy process on the twin, due to the complexity and size of the thing -- expect a few days' downtime, and more if we find major systems in need of attention. More as I know it.



150s are ridiculously priced. For the asking fees for some of these, we are considering a nice two-seater like a Beech 77. We continue the hunt, and have made offers on several such planes. More as I know it.



Nice weather is back in fashion. Grab some air therapy!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Waterproof

Pilots,

Please join me in congratulating not one, but two new U.S. Private Pilots who earned their wings today, despite a little bit of the soggy weather!

First, U.S. Private Pilot Luke M. scored his wings with DPE Tom Hamm in Cessna 1ES. Nice job, Luke!

Second, U.S. Private Pilot Alex M. scored his wings as well with, wouldn't ya know it, DPE Tom Hamm in Cessna 1ES. Nice job, Alex!



Definitely a job well done in this soggy weather, and I look forward to sharing some sky with these guys soon. Congrats!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

20U's triumphant return

Pilots,

Please join me in welcoming back Cessna 20U, back from a complete engine teardown and rebuild. As you know, we found a small flake of metal in the oil filter, and we just can't have that. The engine, despite having only 300 hours on it, has been rebuilt from the ground up and we expect good things.

As with all engine break-ins, we are only allowing cross-country flights which will happen under appx 5,000 MSL for the first 10 hours. This may be dual, or if you are a renter pilot, this is acceptable too. We have put the first hours on the engine in proving, and now we need to make sure the rings wear in correctly.



Whew. Welcome back, 20U.

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In other news, our part-time CFI Adam has found himself a seat on a Citation II! Adam will be flying corporate charter effective immediately, and we wish him well on his new stripes. Be sure to torment any Citations you may see holding over Paradise VOR. Nice job, Adam!



Weak weather abouds -- let's hope socal gets this out of her system for the weekend!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Maintenance Face

Pilots,

Please join me in making a maintenance face at the following winged hoodlums:

Cessna 20U has her engine returned and mounted, however, we have discovered some weakness in her exhaust stacks and stripped threads in one of the fuel pickup lines. We will be straining to get these issues resolved, but the new expectation is Wednesday.

Cessna 04H's prop has been found to be sufficiently dinged to warrant an engine teardown of her own. Expect 2-3 weeks of additional downtime. Sorry, 04H pilots!



While we wish very much that these aircraft were ready, the truth is, there is just no rushing things in aviation. We wish our planes to be mechanically sound first, and convenient to schedule second. My apologies to the students who have been adversely affected.

We are actively seeking a Cessna 150 for the line. More as I know it.

Blue Skies -- what a nice weekend it was!

- Mike

Wings for hire!

Pilots!

Please join me in congratulating New U.S. Commercial Pilot Curtis H., who earned his wings in Piper 85Y yesterday. Look for stylish stripes to appear on his shoulders soon!



Cessna 17J completed her 100hr

Cessna 20U has a 50% chance of returning to service on Saturday this week. We will be, hopefully, receiving her new engine on Thursday. Cross fingers.

Cessna 04H is due to return to service soon. Stay tuned.

Blue Skies,

- Mike

WILL U B MINE FLY BOY?

Pilots,

As St. Valentine's draws near, we are reminded by our winged mistresses that they too want some extra attention -- and they refuse to fly until they receive it!

Armed with a sackload of those sickening candy hearts with messages on them, the maintenance crew is burning the midnight oil and serenading the ladies with the following tunes:

Cessna 68U has her new fuel tank back from overhaul, and will be up either tomorrow or Friday

Cessna 20U still awaits her new engine

Cessna 04H was found with a nicked prop, and the prop is out for repair or replacement. We hope to have her back online Friday

Cessna 1ES had her alternator adjusted

Cessna 17J will be down for 100hr this week, but is otherwise running great. Thanks, Julie!

Piper 85Y is undergoing tweaks to her manifold pressure gauge



The wacky winds seem to have left for a bit, and good riddance!

Fun flying abounds -- grab some sky!

Cheers,

- Mike

New Wings

Pilots,

Please join me in congratulating U.S. Instrument Pilot Krishna M., who earned his blindfold with DPE Ken Earl in Cessna 1ES on Saturday -- a day which was ironically cloudy and not too good for flying. Nice work, Krishna!




Cessna 68U has been grounded pending replacement of a wing tank baffle.

Cessna 20U's engine is being reassembled following her complete teardown. The engine was proclaimed to be in "amazing condition". Some guess that 20U will be back next week.

Cessna 1ES completed an early 100hr.

Cessna 17J will be in 100hr this week.

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We hope this is the end of soggy weather for awhile. Calm flying today -- should be nice all week!

Blue Skies,

- Mike