by Joe Godfrey | Oct 15, 2021 | SavvyAnalysis Puzzlers
In our last episode, we looked at events that seem to happen randomly, versus something that breaks and stays broken. Let’s call them hiccups. I had too many for one Puzzler, so this is Hiccups Part 2. The annoying thing about hiccups is there’s no...
by Mike Busch | Oct 1, 2021 | AOPA Pilot Magazine, Magazine Articles
What to do about uncomfortably high CHT For decades now, I’ve been preaching that the two keys to piston aircraft engine longevity are avoiding extended periods of disuse and managing CHT. If you allow your engine to sit unflown for weeks at a time, you risk internal...
by Joe Godfrey | Sep 16, 2021 | SavvyAnalysis Puzzlers
Hold your nose and drink a glass of water. Take a deep breath and hold it. Have someone scare you. There are lots of “cures” for the human hiccups. Don’t try these when your airplane hiccups. If you could choose, would you rather deal with something...
by Joe Godfrey | Aug 20, 2021 | SavvyAnalysis Puzzlers
Pilots think of ground effect as the reduced aerodynamic drag that happens under the wing to cushion a landing or help with a short-field takeoff. Analysts, who are also all pilots by the way, think of it as what happens when a poor ground connection for an engine...
by Mike Busch | Aug 1, 2021 | AOPA Pilot Magazine, Magazine Articles
This cutting-edge technology could revolutionize GA maintenance. The exhaust valve is the most likely component of a piston aircraft engine to fail catastrophically. When one fails, combustion ceases in the cylinder, the engine loses power and starts running rough....
by Mike Busch | Aug 1, 2021 | AOPA Pilot Magazine, Magazine Articles
If your A&P seems over-cautious and self-protective, there’s good reason. By Mike Busch Mechanics have always been subject to FAA sanctions: certificate suspension or revocation, fines, warning notices, letters of correction, and remedial training. But enforcement...
by Joe Godfrey | Jul 17, 2021 | SavvyAnalysis Puzzlers
I have written about this before, every two years since 2015, and with lots of new clients and some new services since last time, it seemed like a good time for a biennial review. The comedians are fond of saying, “Timing is everything.” I think the quality of the...
by Mike Busch | Jul 1, 2021 | AOPA Pilot Magazine, Magazine Articles
When piston airplanes are fueled with Jet A, bad things can happen. On March 2, 2008, a turbonormalized Cirrus SR22 was destroyed when it crashed shortly after takeoff in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, killing all four people aboard. Shortly after the aircraft departed from...
by Joe Godfrey | Jun 11, 2021 | SavvyAnalysis Puzzlers
I’ll admit that coming up with a clever title is one of the rewards of writing a monthly article. But I didn’t spend a second trying to find a clever or arcane title for this one. I wanted it to be clear what this month’s topic is. The puzzle is...
by Mike Busch | Jun 1, 2021 | AOPA Pilot Magazine, Magazine Articles
Lessons learned from geriatric engines. Time Between Overhaul (TBO) is a strange concept. The FAA, in its infinite wisdom, requires aircraft engine manufacturers to publish TBOs for their engines, but doesn’t require aircraft owners to abide by them. You are free to...
