EAA Sport Aviation Magazine

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Rough Engine

by | November 1, 2013 | ,

Understanding the underlying causes of engine roughness is the key to eliminating it. One of the most common squawks reported by pilots and aircraft owners is a rough-running engine. If the roughness can be duplicated during a ground runup, then...

AOG Rescue

by | September 1, 2013 | ,

A mechanical problem away from home is every aircraft owner’s worst nightmare. Here’s how one owner dealt with such a nightmare…with a little help. On an otherwise-peaceful Saturday morning, I received a panicky text message from Mark, a Cessna 185...

The Blame Game

by | June 1, 2013 | ,

When “stuff happens” to your aircraft, it’s not always someone else’s fault. Regular readers of this column know that I grumble a lot about “stupid mechanic tricks” made by career A&Ps who should know better. Some have accused me of...

The Redundancy Trap

by | May 1, 2013 | ,

The best way to protect against the in-flight failure of any aircraft component is to have two. Or is it? CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONSPART 13—AIRCRAFT ENGINE AIRWORTHINESSSubpart B—Reciprocating Engines§ 13.111   Ignition system. All spark ignition engines shall be equipped with either a dual...

Separation Anxiety

by | February 1, 2013 | ,

Can we prevent these catastrophic head-to-barrel separations? On February 24, 2012, the National Transportation Safety Board issued Safety Recommendation A-12-7 to FAA acting administrator Michael Huerta, expressing great concern over 29 cylinder head fatigue failures of Titan-brand cylinders manufactured by...

Mini or Maxi?

by | November 1, 2012 | ,

Is your mechanic a minimalist or a maximalist? I’m an unabashed maintenance minimalist. I believe in doing only maintenance necessary to make an aircraft safe, reliable, and compliant with regulations. I believe that doing more maintenance than that is not...

Cam Distress

by | September 1, 2012 | ,

When your engine finally needs to be overhauled, the most likely cause will be corrosion-induced distress to the cam lobes.  I recently received an email from a Skylane owner in Miami, Florida who was understandably upset after receiving bad news...

Teardown!

by | August 1, 2012 | ,

The decision whether or not to tear down an aircraft engine is among the most difficult and agonizing ones we make.  My company manages the maintenance of many hundreds of piston-powered GA airplanes, so we frequently deal with all manner...

Spark Plug Wars

by | August 1, 2012 | ,

We’re seeing an epidemic of Champion spark plug problems. Champion insists its plugs are fine and the problems are self-inflicted. The truth may be a bit more complicated.  By Mike Busch Premature failures of Champion-brand aviation spark plugs first showed...
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