
Things to Remember in Aircraft Maintenance
To ensure the security and lifespan of your aircraft and your pocket, routine inspections and maintenance are crucial. Here are essential maintenance procedures that should never be skipped to maintain the proper operation of your aircraft and avoid breaking FAA regulations.
500-hour Magneto Inspections for your Aircraft
The single most crucial magneto service event you can complete places your 500-hour magneto inspection at the top of this list! There is no justification for skipping this crucial maintenance procedure as you also record every hour of every trip in your log.
The inspection of your aircraft's magneto is not an airworthiness directive (AD), but rather an OEM mandate. In addition, it is simply common sense. Taking the time to take care of your aircraft's magneto is crucial to its long-term viability because it is crucial to the safety and functionality of your engine.
At the First Sign of Leakage, have your Aircraft's Fuel Pumps Checked
Taking care of your pumps, which include the hydraulic pumps, gasoline pumps, vacuum pumps, and metering pumps, is the second maintenance procedure that you should never ignore.
You must schedule maintenance as soon as possible if you observe that your pumps that interconnect products are beginning to leak out of the drain holes. Not only could it save you a significant amount of money if you have your pumps inspected at the first sign of leaks, but timely maintenance. And, if necessary, an overhaul—also stops the more serious damage that comes from a broken system.
When it comes to electric pumps in particular, a rapid inspection and maintenance will be far more cost-effective than waiting for the issue to worsen. A single leaking pump entering that system could cause your motor to seize up and melt inside because there is no barrier between the pump and your electric motor. Fixing a leaky pump early on is much simpler than fixing a motor.
Keep in Mind the AD for Standard Aircraft Propellers
The AD for routine Standard propeller inspections has been in place for more than 40 years, making it not a brand-new requirement. However, to save money, aircraft owners frequently disregard this maintenance procedure.
These inspections look for corrosion or rust on the propeller blades or in the inner workings of the system, which are all red flags that the prop might break. However, owners frequently decide to see how long their prop can go without being inspected out of concern that it might fail the tests. This is an essential part of preventative maintenance because, in extreme cases, the wear, rust, and corrosion these inspections look for can cause the propeller to break off in mid-flight.
There is no denying the high cost of repairing or replacing a Standard prop that fails this AD. However, the consequences of delaying this crucial maintenance step cannot be denied. So we strongly advise that you inspect your propeller before putting your own and your aircraft's safety at risk.
Keep your Aircraft Safe from the Elements
If you've spent a lot of time and money on it, why not protect it from the elements? If you leave your aircraft outside without coverings throughout the year, especially in areas with severe winters or summers, the equipment inside and out could be damaged. Keep in mind that an aircraft is designed to be hanged in its entirety.
Consider it this way: You don't leave your lawnmower outside all year long, in the sun, rain, snow, and sleet, right? Because after one year, it would be difficult to even get the engine to turn, let alone run at its best. The same holds for aircraft. They weren't made to be parked in the driveway like cars.
Avoid AOG (Aircraft on Ground)
The abbreviation for an aircraft owner's worst day—being stuck at sea level—is "AOG." Additionally, a grounded aircraft costs considerably more than cash. When your plane is grounded, you run the risk of missing the best days to fly, wasting money on a hangar for an unusable aircraft, or, in the case of commercial aircraft, losing a significant amount of money for each day you can't leave the runway.
What can lead to an AOG Circumstance?
Common reasons for aircraft being grounded include:
Invalid inspections
Your aircraft may be grounded until the problem is fixed if it fails an FAA inspection. Your aircraft can be grounded until you locate and install replacement quality aircraft parts due to a simple failure like a broken light or sensor. This can be one of the most disappointing AOG circumstances — particularly if the part is challenging to track down or deferred on the way.
The Aircraft has been Damaged
Your aircraft may be grounded until the necessary repairs are made if the wings, propeller, body, or landing gear have sustained significant damage. A visit to the repair facility may be required depending on the damage.
Components with Flaws
Your aircraft can be grounded due to any critical component that isn't working properly, such as a faulty starter or a leaking fuel pump. And if you don't have a new component on hand, you'll have to wait for one.
While AOG situations are less common for aircraft that are well-maintained, you are more likely to experience AOG events and lose valuable airtime if you do not actively take care of your aircraft, adhere to your airworthiness directives, and have it regularly serviced.
How to Check Oil Leakage in the Turbo System
If the engine idles at a slower speed than usual, the turbocharger may not rotate, allowing oil leakage to bypass the compressor seal while the engine idles, resulting in blue exhaust smoke. To put an end to the smoke, try increasing the idle speed in small steps. A brand-new turbocharger may smoke for up to 30 minutes while the oil coatings from the factory are absorbed.
Issues with aircraft turbo systems could be brought on by inadequate oil or oil additives in the engine lubricating system. During system service, consult the maintenance guide provided by the engine manufacturer. Follow the engine manufacturer's maintenance guide to ensure that the crankcase is properly ventilated.
Before you begin troubleshooting, check for restrictions in the air cleaner. Bypassing the turbocharger seal at the compressor end could be made possible by this restriction. Clear any obstructions near the duct that connects the turbocharger and air cleaner. Always replace broken parts as needed.
If the oil drainage is blocked, oil levels in the turbocharger center housing may rise. This situation may result in seal leakage. Check the turbocharger oil drain line to make sure there isn't a blockage or a bad check valve. Remove the obstruction and replace any damaged components as necessary.
An issue with the engine's rings, pistons, or valves may be present if oil is discovered in the exhaust system upstream of the turbocharger. Follow the maintenance guide provided by the engine manufacturer to resolve these issues.
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