Thursday, March 22, 2012

Great Idea! (Tie downs)

Found this link on the AOPA Board: http://newlangsyne.com/brl/convention.htm#Tiedowns

Home-made tie downs that are just as secure as any of those sold at a premium price!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Waiting...

This weekend I stopped by the hangar and started the tedious task or removing the cylinder.
I ordered replacement gaskets ($43 each for the metal gaskets, $45 for the Asbestos center gasket) from Henry at El Reno Air Parts.

I'll try to get back t the hangar and finish the removal job this week...

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Cylinder gaskets (!)

I planned on flying the Chief early this morning, so I arrived at the airport before 7, did a through preflight, pulled it out, started (eventually -- it took several tries), and taxied out.

Everything sounded fine and runup revealed no issues. I lined up on 10 and held brakes, added full power -- everything good. Release and roll. I was airborne before the first taxiway and climbing strong eastbound. I turned south at about 500' AGL and climbed to 1400 when I sensed a change in tone. There was also an unusual odor -- faint, but different.

I didn't wait for power loss -- I did a 180 and headed back to the airport. There are plenty of open farm fields underneath but a return to the airport would be best.

I maintained full power and started to notice the RPM dropping a bit -- not much, maybe 200-400 RPM. Yet something was definitely wrong. I maintained altitude until two miles out then reduced power, slipped aggressively, lined up alongside 26 on the grass, slipped some more, reduced power to idle, and touched down gently.

At reduced power I could hear a clear miss in one cylinder very similar to the sound when I lost a plug. I taxied back to the hangar, shut off the fuel and switched off mags.

Once I pulled it back in and removed the cowling the problem was all too easy to spot -- the gasket that seals the cylinder head to the base had failed:

Failed #3 Cylinder Gasket (Exhaust blew out this hole)



Two of the nuts that hold down the head (studs come out of the head) were loose. I checked them all about 5 flying hours ago, so I'm not sure if they worked loose in that short a time or...? The hole caused the cylinder to lose all compression. In a barely 65 HP engine the loss of one cylinder is significant. The hot exhaust was also burning up the carb heat SCAT tubing.

Parts ordered and repairs to come...



Friday, March 2, 2012

Friday Morning (3/2/12)

After leaving without the hangar key I finally got settled and headed east. Sunrise is getting early so by 7:30 the sun was up and the air warm. It felt good to push the airplane out and get ready to fly -- it feels like months but my last flight in 24286 was 20 days ago.

Tie down, prime, check controls, rotate prop, mags to left, throttle cracked, throw prop. On second throw she caught and ran strong. Flip mags to both and set idle for 1100 RPM.

After two minutes I reduced power to idle (600 RPM and untied the tail. Back up to 1000 for a minute, then to idle, remove chocks, climb in.

Flight controls free and correct, trim set, taxi to -- where?

Winds aloft were light from the east. The airport was quiet. A takeoff on 10 makes more sense -- downhill, with a wide open field off the departure end. Runup, idle check, one last review, taxi to centerline, hold brakes, apply full power -- good. Release and soon we're flying.

Pitch for 60 and watch the earth shrink below, the engine sounds good and temps and pressures look good. It's a bit noisier than the SportStar but is still familiar. I depart to the south and then west.


The air is smooth and mostly clear, the sky bright with the sun higher than it's been in a while. The engine sounds strong and indicators are as expected. I point the nose west towards the ridge that parallels Route 30 between Lancaster and York.

I do the usual fly-by over Mount Joy, then head south towards the Susquehanna. The River is full after recent rains. I follow it through the ancient gorge by Chickie's Rock, then overfly McGinness Airfield. Back out over the river I decide against flying too low -- Geese, ducks, and gulls are everywhere.


Willow Valley resorts, Willow Street, PA

Main Street, Mount Joy, PA

Mount Joy


New School building under construction south of Mount Joy

Haze over farmland. Winter Wheat adds welcome green to the overwhelming brown palette