BACfest 2016 Service Clinic

SkyPilot

Orbiting Earth
Good Day Fellow Members...

We are getting closer to our annual event, BACfest 2016 - Branson. One of the wonderful features for attendees at BACfest is the education you gain through our service clinic presentations. On Friday, September 23, we will be holding a service clinic on our beautiful birds. We try to select some specific topics suggested by our members to address during the clinic. One suggested topic has been the subject of rigging our aircraft. Another issue, one that I recently addressed on my Sundowner, was the nose gear and the maintenance associated with eliminating any shimmy experiences.

I am reaching out to you, our membership, for additional suggested topics that might be selected for presentation at the BACfest 2016 service clinic. I look forward to hearing from you.

BTW, if you have not made your hotel reservations or registered with BAC, please do so as soon as possible. It would be disappointing that procrastination would eliminate your chance of staying at the host hotel which might make it difficult to enjoy a closer camaraderie with your fellow BAC-members. As Larry-the-CableGuy says, "git-r-done."

Contact the hotel and let them know you are attending the BEECH AERO CLUB event.
Radisson Hotel Branson
120 South Wildwood Drive
Branson, MO 65616
(417)335-5767
 
Chris,
A rigging discussion is a great idea. Specifically, I am looking for expertise on the rudder/aileron connection and how to adjust. Mine is off just enough to allow a 2 or 3 mph gain when I rest my foot on the left pedal to center the ball during cruise. I have seen the "cable clamping" area under the floor and the fasteners used by Beechcraft, and I am very hesitant to loosen/adjust that puppy (aka: .... SPRANG! .... oh nooooo).

Separately - - let me know if there is enough interest for me to develop a "make your own fiberglass parts" workshop.
 
I'd like "Rigging" too.
I have to rest my RIGHT foot on the pedal to center the (half) ball. Mostly I ignore it!
Is an inclinometer ever not accurate?

Margie and I are registered for Branson.
 
Chris,
A rigging discussion is a great idea. Specifically, I am looking for expertise on the rudder/aileron connection and how to adjust. Mine is off just enough to allow a 2 or 3 mph gain when I rest my foot on the left pedal to center the ball during cruise. I have seen the "cable clamping" area under the floor and the fasteners used by Beechcraft, and I am very hesitant to loosen/adjust that puppy (aka: .... SPRANG! .... oh nooooo).

Separately - - let me know if there is enough interest for me to develop a "make your own fiberglass parts" workshop.

Trump:
The rudder/aileron interconnect is rarely the prob, and you are right about the spraaaaaaang.
I'd like to use your SD as the example and you can demonstrate your one man lower cowl r&r.
If you can start making the early model chin fairing (bottom forward cowl, on top of the NLG) you will own the market, no one makes it anymore. I will post pix of my "repair" for comedic effect.

Rap
 
I have had my rigging worked on a couple of times and there is no way I would, as an owner, touch it. I am sure FAA regs do not allow that and I think it is unwise for anyone but an A&P to be working on this. My rigging is still not right, but until I can find someone who knows enough to deal with it, it will stay the way it is.
 
I have had my rigging worked on a couple of times and there is no way I would, as an owner, touch it. I am sure FAA regs do not allow that and I think it is unwise for anyone but an A&P to be working on this. My rigging is still not right, but until I can find someone who knows enough to deal with it, it will stay the way it is.

Mike:
Totally agree, this is not owner maint territory, but is is an area where an owner can educate the a&p on the proper approach.

Rap
 
I agree 100% (and all should know this) - - - rigging and control system items are hands-off. Only a certified and capable A&P should do any more than looking at these items. I certainly don't mind exploring the drawings and the aircraft to increase my knowledge. But the bottom line is that I do not know .... what I don't know. Ignorance can be deadly. I do not plan to participate in the Darwin principle.

And as a related item - - I need to be thoroughly convinced that the A&P has the knowledge, specific expertise ... and experience before he approaches my plane with a tool in his hand. "Let's talk first" is always a great way to start the day .....

I readily share my energetic and creative style within these forums. Hopefully this is helpful, keeps us motivated, and makes for some occasional fun reads. Those that know me will understand when I state that I will never be foolhardy or view aircraft maintenance as trivial.
 
Chris,

Rap just gave me an idea (!). How about I demo the making of one of these (see photos)? If different than my 1976 Sundowner, I can make two on-site (if a very brave donor steps forward): one for a door prize (we'll need to plan for curing time) and one for me to take home as a mold. Then I will have both styles in my possession/workshop for yet-another-freebie for club membership. Simple.:D
 

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I have always wanted to teach an electrical class for pilots, at a BACfest. I'm not sure I can make it this year? I'm working with several weeks of less paid vacation this year. And my kids all have military graduations this year.

Electrical topics I would like to teach;

Our electrical system; how it works, design and theory.

What's that AMP meter suppose to show and when? What is it telling me? When is an AMP meter not an AMP meter? If our AMP meter is not an AMP meter, what is it? And what's it telling me, that I should know? When is an AMP meter a NO GO for Takeoff?

How to run a multimeter and troubleshoot some minor problems.

How many resets do you get on a tripped Circuit Breaker?
Answer: Zero in flight, unless it is essential to continued safe flight operations. Land asap. One time on the ground. Then you pull out the multimeter and track down the problem. The FAA is serious about this! Too many people have died resetting CBs. One reset on the ground only! Not one for you. One for the right seater. One for the mechanic. One reset on the ground, only.

You do not have to have an A&P Certification to run a multimeter and troubleshoot your aircraft. Many of the very best avionics and electrical techs that I have ever worked with are uncertified.

AMPs, Volts and Ohms made simple, for pilots. 12VDC vs. 24VDC and why?

What to do in an electrical emergency?

I think emergency procedures would be another excellent topic for BACfest.
 
since most members are not A&Ps perhaps a class on owner approved maintenance would be helpful. Use part 43 and demonstrate the most common needs of membership. Put out a check the box list of part 43 and let the attendees select what they need to know, document or practice doing.
 
We have done oil changes in the past. Electrical instruments and what they should show would be good. Many of us now have more than one voltage source (in our added gadgets) and original Ammeter. A discussion of both would be good and understanding where they fit in our circuits.
I think even A&P only work is great to cover. My shop has been very happy to have me show them some of what I learned and some special repair skills. Last year's presentation showed me some items that I now know why I don't want to do them. I saved lots of time and money with the Aleron bushing kit even though I took it to my repair shop for help and logbook entry.
I would like to understand the rigging better.
I also think all retract owners should learn about the steering arm and what can go wrong.
 
I just learned how to test plug resistance so I can do this at every annual instead of ignoring it and maybe having to drop AMU's on a magneto or two. Maybe lots of little items like this from multiple presenters so we don't burden one of our members with all the burden of a seminar...
 
I have always wanted to teach an electrical class for pilots, at a BACfest. I'm not sure I can make it this year? I'm working with several weeks of less paid vacation this year. And my kids all have military graduations this year.

Electrical topics I would like to teach;

Our electrical system; how it works, design and theory.

What's that AMP meter suppose to show and when? What is it telling me? When is an AMP meter not an AMP meter? If our AMP meter is not an AMP meter, what is it? And what's it telling me, that I should know? When is an AMP meter a NO GO for Takeoff?

How to run a multimeter and troubleshoot some minor problems.

How many resets do you get on a tripped Circuit Breaker?
Answer: Zero in flight, unless it is essential to continued safe flight operations. Land asap. One time on the ground. Then you pull out the multimeter and track down the problem. The FAA is serious about this! Too many people have died resetting CBs. One reset on the ground only! Not one for you. One for the right seater. One for the mechanic. One reset on the ground, only.

You do not have to have an A&P Certification to run a multimeter and troubleshoot your aircraft. Many of the very best avionics and electrical techs that I have ever worked with are uncertified.

AMPs, Volts and Ohms made simple, for pilots. 12VDC vs. 24VDC and why?

What to do in an electrical emergency?

I think emergency procedures would be another excellent topic for BACfest.

I'm signing up for 5960's elect class, I'm really weak on the sparky stuff.

Rap
 
I have always wanted to do it!

The only BACfest I have ever missed was the first one. I really want to make this one. The venue is awesome.

If the powers that be choose me for this class this year, I will do my best!

It will not be an atom splitting class, but a simplification and demystification class on our electrical systems. I have seen way to many electrical instructors that want to impress you with themselves and what they think they know. My goal with electrical instruction is to raise your confidence and comfort level in your own understanding and abilities.
 
I have always wanted to do it!

The only BACfest I have ever missed was the first one. I really want to make this one. The venue is awesome.

If the powers that be choose me for this class this year, I will do my best!

It will not be an atom splitting class, but a simplification and demystification class on our electrical systems. I have seen way to many electrical instructors that want to impress you with themselves and what they think they know. My goal with electrical instruction is to raise your confidence and comfort level in your own understanding and abilities.
I would really like this class. Hope it works. out.
I'm signing up for 5960's elect class, I'm really weak on the sparky stuff.

Rap


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