by Mike Busch | Sep 1, 2010 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
Destructive detonation and pre-ignition events can destroy your engine in two minutes flat. Know the symptoms, and act fast! At least once a year, I am contacted by an aircraft owner whose piston aircraft engine was destroyed or severely damaged by a destructive...
by Mike Busch | Aug 1, 2010 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
We have the technology to prevent these failures by detecting them in the incipient phase. Last month we discussed how exhaust valves fail and why they sometimes fail prematurely. This month, we’ll shift our focus to how we can monitor exhaust valve condition, detect...
by Mike Busch | Jul 1, 2010 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
Exhaust valves are the most heat-stressed components in your piston aircraft engine, and the most likely to fail prior to TBO. Here’s what you need to know about them. I experienced my first in-flight exhaust valve failure about twenty years ago. The engine started...
by Mike Busch | Jun 1, 2010 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
Your maintenance shop’s paperwork can make all the difference between a good outcome and a nightmare. When he contacted me, the owner of a pristine turbonormalized A36 Bonanza seemed obviously frustrated: I manage to fly only 50 to 75 hours a year, but my annual...
by Mike Busch | May 1, 2010 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
Every pilot understands the notion of “pilot in command.” That’s because we all had some certificated flight instructor (CFI) who mercilessly pounded this essential concept into our heads throughout our pilot training. Hopefully, it stuck. As pilot-in-command (PIC),...
