by Mike Busch | Dec 11, 2023 | Savvy Stories
“While I was replacing the worn spark plugs on my Bonanza today, I used my borescope to look at the exhaust valves,” Nick posted to a new SavvyQA ticket. “It looks to me as if the #1 & #3 exhaust valves are beginning to show some asymmetrical coloring. What do you...
by Mike Busch | Dec 11, 2023 | Savvy Stories
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. An owner is free to continue flying behind the engine as...
by Mike Busch | Dec 7, 2023 | Savvy Stories
“Requesting analysis to understand the possible root causes on this engine start,” Willy posted at the beginning of his newly-created SavvyAnalysis ticket. “I hadn’t run my 1966 Beechcraft Bonanza V35’s engine for two weeks, and when I started it I noticed that EGT #3...
by Mike Busch | Dec 7, 2023 | Savvy Stories
“Welcome to SavvyPrebuy, Mark!” Savvy’s technical director Jeff Iskierka posted to the newly-opened prebuy ticket. “ We’re delighted that you have hired us to manage a prebuy examination of this 1949 Stinson 108-3.” Mark lives in the Pacific Northwest, and this...
by Mike Busch | Dec 7, 2023 | Savvy Stories
A few minutes after noon on Saturday, James Watson A&P/IA heard his smartphone beep to alert him to an incoming text message. The message read: “N1357B is AOG at O59. Engine lost power. Had to make an emergency landing. Phillip 503-708-1212.” James was the on-call...
by Mike Busch | Dec 7, 2023 | Savvy Stories
Jack is an Albuquerque-based pilot looking to purchase his first airplane. Despite his being a first-time buyer, he had his heart set on buying a piston twin. (Apparently he didn’t read Mike’s 1997 AVweb article Do You Really Want a Twin? which makes a...
by Mike Busch | Dec 7, 2023 | Savvy Stories
“There appears to be a spike in the #5 CHT on the most recent flight of our SOCATA TB-20 Trinidad,” Mark wrote on his SavvyAnalysis Pro ticket. “The plane seemed okay afterwards, but the #5 EGT is now running higher than normal. Could you take a look, please?” Savvy’s...
by Mike Busch | Dec 7, 2023 | Savvy Stories
“During an attempt to dial the prop flange of the Lycoming O-540 in my 1968 Piper PA-28-235 Pathfinder, it was noticed the crankshaft would chatter while rotating it slowly,” Frank said in his initial post to a SavvyQA ticket. “My mechanic says ‘it feels like...
by Mike Busch | Dec 7, 2023 | Savvy Stories
Piper introduced the PA-28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder in 1963 as its competitive answer to the Cessna 182 Skylane. Powered by a 235-hp Lycoming O-540 engine with a gross weight of 2,900 pounds, it could “lift anything you could close the doors on.” In 1972, Piper...
by Mike Busch | Dec 7, 2023 | Savvy Stories
Jim, Jack and Gene are members of the faculty at Indiana University in Bloomington. They are also partners in a 1968 Cessna 177 Cardinal based at Monroe County Airport (KBMG).The Cardinal was first introduced by Cessna in 1968 as a successor to the venerable 172...
