Pilotcast #029 - 2006.04.05

• For all you Connecticut pilots:
  • The Presidential TFR is cancelled, but it didn't matter because it was snowing, anyway
  • Tower controller at Hartford-Brainard Airport has been "refusing the option," to practicing pilots
  • Senate Bill SB520 has made it out of the Finance Committee with a unanimous recommendation, and will probably pass the Legislature with a few modifications. The target date to take effect is July 1st.
• Pilot Dan and his Club bought a plane, but the sale will be completed before SB520 goes into effect so they will probably lose out on the tax advantages
  • An AOPA Lobbyist is looking into the remote possibility that the bill will be retroactive
• Pilot Mike's plane is due for its annual
  • It's up to you, as owner, to remember when scheduled maintenance is due

• Tom's rates:
  • $50/hour flat rate
  • $350 for an annual inspection
  • It may be worth a trip to Washington State for rates like those
• A short bio:
  • Currently, an aircraft mechanic
  • A Navy veteran
  • Was an aircraft mechanic in the Navy, and still does work for them
• Aircraft mechanics liability insurance can be expensive
• Some airports will not allow uninsured mechanics to work on planes
• What should a pre-purchase inspection include?
  • Talk to the potential buyer and see what homework they've already done
  • Is the seller also the owner, or just an agent for the owner?
  • Verify that AD's have, or have not, been complied with
  • General mechanical checks, including avionics
• The internet makes it fairly simple to determine fair market value of an aircraft
• Time since last overhaul is not as important as the engines current condition
• Lycoming engines that are run regularly should not have an issue with corrosion
• Engine displacement upgrades are probably not worth doing until an overhaul
• Use of auto fuel should be determined on a model by model basis
• Auto fuel is cheaper than aviation fuel, but has it's own unique set of problems
• A potential buyer is suing a mechanic who recommended he not buy the plane
  • Aircraft is an Aviat Husky, in Michigan
  • The mechanic found a slew of problems during the pre-purchase inspection and told the buyer it just wasn't worth it
  • The buyer worked out a deal, that he thought was fair, even though the plane had some problems and purchased it
  • Gets a ferry permit and during a flight over Montana, he loses oil pressure and lands at a small airport
  • On inspection, the oil sump and strainers are covered in metal shavings
  • Ends up purchasing a new engine, but it doesn't fit the old mounts
  • They find the airframe is so warped, the new mounts won't fit
  • They called Tom and he recommends jacking the frame until the mounts fit so he can make the flight home
  • Finally get it back together and finds out his ferry permit has expired
  • The mechanic is unwilling to renew the ferry permit because he considers the plane not airworthy
  • They decide to do an annual and finds the wings need rebuilding while checking AD compliance
  • The new owner says the original mechanic did not give full disclosure and so is suing
  • The plane is still in Montana waiting for new wings
• Potential buyers need to do their homework and thoroughly research the plane!
• Check with type clubs on particular models and N numbers
• Check potential replacement cost for accessories, like mufflers and ducting
• Some of the performance muffler claims seem to good to be true
• The sellers reputation is very important
• Know the costs of maintenance and repairs before you have them done
• Potential buyers should search Landings for A&P mechanics in your area
• Most A&P mechanics don't want to work with clubs because of liability issues
• Don't let the romance of flying blind you to potential problems
• Clubs should make sure any potential purchase will fit all it's members
• Prop balancing as part of an annual, can be very important
• Dynamic prop balancing is done on the plane, but static balancing is not
• Cherokee mufflers tend to be fragile
• If your cabin heat is dependent on the exhaust system, you should use a CO monitor
• Stupid pilot trick
  • Pilot Dan was in a club plane on the ramp
  • A parked twin started it's run-up, blasting Dan
  • Good thing Tom wasn't there!
  • The plane was actually lifted against it's tie-downs, logbooks went flying, and the plane was pelted with rocks
  • The FBO was not willing to give Dan the twins tail number
  • Stay tuned...
• Incident at Camarillo Airport
  • Home airport of Angelina Jolie
  • A Lear Jet taxied too close to the hangers
  • Tried to power himself around, rather then call for a tug
  • The thrust hit a tied down 172, breaking the wing
• We have met the Enemy and he is us
  • A twin Bonanza, that was purchased in Canada, has been parking at Tom's airport for about 4 years
  • The aircraft still has a Canadian registration number, but...
  • a check with Canada shows the plane as exported, meaning it should no longer have a Canadian number
  • The Seattle FSDO somehow became interested in the plane and asked Tom if he knew anything about it
  • The FSDO invited the Transport Canada Airworthiness Inspector to look at the airplane, and...
  • a cursory check found 21 major airworthiness discrepancies
  • A registered letter is sent to the registered owner's Canadian address, the man's wife, who is a Canadian citizen
  • The letter comes back undeliverable
  • Their US address is tracked down and another registered letter is sent to the local Sheriff to be hand delivered
  • The letter was signed for but there was no response to the request for log books
  • Transport Canada levied 5 penalty fines, rescinded the airworthiness certificate of the aircraft, and placed a cease and desist sticker on the airplane door
  • A second registered letter was delivered to the owner, informing them of the cease and desist operations order
  • The next day the plane was gone
  • Tom and 3 other witnesses were called to British Columbia to testify on what they knew about the plane
  • The owners didn't show up for the tribunal so a lien was placed on the plane
  • Unfortunately, since the plane is in the US, the Canadian judgement is unenforceable
  • And, because no one actually saw the owner fly it after it was stickered, the FAA is powerless
• If you have any questions for Tom, send us an email
• Thanks, again to A&P Tom

Songs:

• "Flying Away" by Empyrion from the State of Washington.
• "Keep Your Motor Running" by Dave Hole on Chicago's Alligator Records

Music on the Pilotcast is from the Podshow Podsafe Music Network. Check it out at http://music.podshow.com

Pilotcast show notes are at http://www.pilotcast.com The Pilotcast sends sincere THANKS AGAIN to "Pilot Bill" of the Pilotcast's Apple Air Force for writing the show notes!