by Mike Busch | Apr 1, 2014 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles, Uncategorized
If your aircraft isn’t airworthy but you need to fly it anyway, here’s how. As every pilot knows, it’s strictly against the rules to fly an unairworthy aircraft: §91.7 Civil aircraft airworthiness. (a) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless it...
by Mike Busch | Mar 1, 2014 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
There’s a lot more to engine bearings than meets the eye. According to Miriam-Webster, a bearing is “a machine part in which another part turns.” Most aircraft have lots of them. Wheels spin on their axles with the help of tapered roller bearings. Magnetos,...
by Mike Busch | Feb 1, 2014 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
Don’t do anything rash until you’re sure where the oil is going. Figure 1—The Cessna T210’s oil consumption had suddenly increased and the owner’s mechanic recommended a $14,000 top overhaul. A fellow named Ted phoned me to say that his 1984 Cessna T210 was in the...
by Mike Busch | Jan 1, 2014 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
All airplanes occasionally get sick. Even mine. Figure 1—I bought my T310R in 1987, and have owned, flown and maintained it for 25 years. Every year, I take my airplane on a big summer trip around the U.S., speaking at various aviation events and culminating with a...
by Mike Busch | Dec 1, 2013 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles, Uncategorized
The term “damage history” is not well-defined. Here are some thoughts on the subject. One of my clients just had a fancy digital engine monitor installed in his airplane. During the installation, the shop hired to do the work drilled a half-inch hole in a...
by Mike Busch | Nov 1, 2013 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
Yikes! It’s far worse than I expected, and it must be stopped. By Mike Busch I must be losing my touch. When I last wrote about this subject 9 months ago—in the February 2013 issue of EAA Sport Aviation—I reported that in 2009 the FAA effectively legislated out of...
by Mike Busch | Nov 1, 2013 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
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 the mechanic might...
by Mike Busch | Oct 1, 2013 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
Why many career A&Ps are not great troubleshooters. I recently had a fascinating exchange with my friend and colleague Paul New. Paul is an A&P/IA and a truly extraordinary aircraft mechanic who was honored by the FAA as the National Aviation Maintenance...
by Mike Busch | Sep 1, 2013 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
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 owner from the San...
by Mike Busch | Aug 1, 2013 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
Aircraft owners get lots of bad advice from their A&Ps. Ever wonder where the A&Ps get it from? “I know you’re a strong proponent of the in-flight mag check,” emailed the aircraft owner, “but I have been advised against doing this by my A&P due to concerns...
