Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Paperwork shuffle...

Pilots,

Staying cool? The heat wave we are experiencing will be breaking shortly. I just cannot wait.

As you may or may not know, the "tach" column in the airplane flight logs help us to keep track of maintenance items and airworthiness. Cessnas 630, 68U, 20U, 04H, 1ES and 25R have pretty easy-to-read tachometers that make this easy. 5 seconds of your time can save maintenance a few minutes in tracking down the latest tach data.

However... we have also noticed that some pilots are skipping this optional step in 17J and 85Y. Clearly, it is because these tachs are not obvious.

So, here is where you can find tach data on these planes:

For Cessna 17J and the G-1000:



You will find a line right above the Electrical readout which says something like:

ENG 2205.8 HRS

That is the tach time as recorded by the G-1000.

For 85Y, you have two tachometers.

Both are digital.

The LEFT tach is the one which we use to track airframe maintenance.

We are happy to have BOTH entered in the log if you can spare the time. We understand that this is not always the case.



Pressing the "Hours - L" button (the one on the left) will recall the tach time.

...piece of cake, right? :)

==

In other news,

We have pulled 04H down indefinitely to investigate the effects of a hard landing this morning. Nobody was injured, but we are studying the plane to gauge the effects and determine airworthiness status. We anticipate repairs to take some time.

==

One of the challenging responsibilities the FAA imposes on pilots is the need to determine airworthiness of an aircraft, regardless of whether or not you own it or have access to its maintenance records.

Many of you know that our logs are available for the asking, however, because complete maintenance records can account for up to 20% of an aircraft's value, we keep them under close watch. As such, your ability to "quickly check on things" is compromised. We have frowned on this situation for some time.

As I had hinted at previously, we are going to add "AV1ATE" printouts to our dispatch books, which highlight the major inspections you as a pilot are responsible for.

Here is the format of the printout for your review:



We invite any comments you may have about these sheets -- we plan to improve them as we go.

==

Cooler temps tomorrow, and frozen temps on thursday! Someone needs to make up their mind.

At least... it's... Blue Skies!

See ya,

- Mike

Saturday, April 18, 2009

A full stable!

Pilots!

For the first time in quite awhile, we have a full stable of aircraft in fighting form! Just in time for the good weather!



Cessna 20U has returned from her extensive 100hr inspection. We do not have anyone scheduled to go in for surgery until May 1, where 85Y begins her Annual.

We expect 85Y's annual to be extensive, with a potential 2-3 week downtime.

==

We are currently focused on our new hangar space, but things are getting organized (finally), and we expect good things to come from the new systems we are putting into place.



Mighty warm this weekend, but the voodoo forecasters suggest it will be cooler soon enough. Don't forget to grab a bottle of water from the fridge before setting off!

Blue Skies!

- Mike

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

A (belated) new pilot!

Pilots,

I am always the last to know this stuff (when I'm outta town) --

Please join me in congratulating U.S. Private Pilot Darwin N., who was "approved to fly" on Sunday in Cessna 1ES with DPE Tom Hamm.



Way to go, Darwin!

Blue Skies,

- Mike

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Maintenance Face!

Pilots!

There is a light at the end of our maintenance tunnel -- here is what I know:

Cessna 630 is back in action, for XC flying ONLY (no touch n goes, for the next 5 hours) -- we are breaking in hew new cylinders, and she will be running "blue stripe" oil for these hours. We will change her back to red stripe when the hours have been put on her, likely Friday or Saturday.

Cessna 68U has a temporary radio, and we are getting both of her regular radios repaired.

Cessna 20U has her new engine cylinder, with new ignition harnesses on order -- and will be back in action on Friday.

Cessna 04H will return from her 100hr tomorrow afternoon, she enjoys a new air box and sundry and routine tweaks.

Cessna 1ES is behaving. Thanks, 1ES!

Cessna 17J is behaving. Kudos, 17J!

Cessna 25R has her nosewheel shimmy solved, again, hopefully for good this time -- we found her nosewheel rather out of balance, and it was causing odd vibrations. She has returned to service with crossed fingers. Pilots, please let us know if you are experiencing shimmy issues, or if you are NOT experiencing them. We want to know about either situation.

Piper 85Y is behaving. High five, 85Y!



Piper 85Y will go down for Annual on May 1. We expect a detailed Annual at that time -- even though we've had a detailed last 18 months. We want to thresh out the remaining bugs. Expect a 2 or 3 week downtime.

Everyone else is pretty well caught up.



We will be printing "dispatch sheets" for the aircraft books, which show the times remaining on the major inspections, so you can verify AV1ATE compliance on every flight. Look for these soon.

We have our new physical hangars worked out -- we will be spending the rest of... well, forever, probably... getting the organization stuff worked out.

That's it for now.. woo hoo, the blustery weather makes for fun landings!

Blue Skies!

- Mike