The "Airplane Whisperer"

M

msamac

Level Cruise
That's me, my airplane spoke to me plainly (or should that be planely) when I flew to work on Friday. My wife said that the Sundowner was saying I'm to darn fat. See right there, she's not the "Airplane Whisperer" is she, or she would have known that it was saying wash me!

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Mike
 
Mike,

Most of us are asking our aircraft to carry a few more pounds than we should, except for Marty Vanover of course.

This step issue has been showing up on several of our member aircraft. IMO, this is not all about the load. As you examine the step I bet you find a contributing factor of corrosion. That step looks like it has been repaired before. When you have it repaired this time have some one MIG or better yet TIG weld it that knows what they are doing.

Our modern aluminum aircraft do not have very much of this old school 4130 mild steel tubing, but one place we do have it is in our engine mounts / nose gear mounts. :shock:

If anyone is removing their engine for any reason they should spend the $1500 to exchange or overhaul that 30 year old engine mount. If your engine mount tubes do not sound too good on the tap test, you should consider a link(s) of stout chain from the engine to a lower airframe mount bolt(s). You should also do this if you think there is even the remote possibility you could have a prop blade or hub failure. It is a proven fact, you will not be able to shut the engine down, before it shakes itself off a brand new mount, after a prop failure. There are several airshow pilots that owe their lives to engine chains.

Sciscoe
 
Mike, that was just a bad weld. You can judge your weight gain until you place your foot on the left step and the right main rises.
 
Thank you for the replies guys. Bob, I like that, I have quite a way to go before I have to worry about the right main coming off the ground when I step on the left step! :wink:

Sciscoe, I believe my airplane has that mesh. I guess it is better to have the engine hanging in the wind than to have it depart the frame. That is the point, right? Sorry I had to ask, but I’m just not the sharpest tool in the shed.

During the annuals I have not noticed how this puppy is bolted on? Any trick on taking it off for repair? I suspect if I take a close look it will make sense, but just checking in to see if there are any lessons learned.

Thank you again guys.
Mike
 
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