“When I want something for myself, I make it a project.” That’s how Randall Fishman, a retired jeweler from New Jersey, explains his entry into the world of electric-powered flight. His journey began in the late 1970s when he was flying ultralights and working at a jewelry store. “I wanted to ride my bike to […]
Engines
Ask Paul: The Cherokee Rattle
Q: I just bought a 1974 300-hp Cherokee Six. It has about 1,200 hours to run, has great oil pressure, good compressions, hardly uses oil, no metal in the filter, but during the run-up at 2,000 rpm, the engine makes quite a deep knock. If you go from both mags to either the left or […]
Plane-Power debuts high-power alternator
GRANBURY, Texas — Plane-Power, Ltd. has received FAA approval of its newest lightweight, high-power aircraft alternator. The Plane-Power ALT-FLX alternator is a lightweight, high-output, belt-driven alternator sold as a single part number for both 12V and 24V aircraft. Optional mounting kits make it easy to replace heavyweight, Ford DOFF series alternators often used both Continental […]
What oil should I use?
The two most common questions that I still get are: 1. What oil should I use in my aircraft engine? And 2. Are different brands and grades of oils compatible? In this column I will limit the discussion to certified engines, such as Continental, Lycoming, radials and older certified aircraft engines. For these engines there […]
What are the best options for overhaul?
What I’m saying is, the total time on the engine would continue in the logbook and some of the major components that may have needed or required replacement will go uninspected, leaving lots of questions as to the reliability of continued operation.
A Q&A with Lycoming’s top man
After Oshkosh, I sent an email to Michael Kraft, Lycoming’s senior vice president and general manager. Due to this busy travel schedule, he was just able to get his answers to me. To honor his request, I agreed to run this in a Q&A format. Q: Is Lycoming working on or considering development of a […]
Next series of UL 91 unleaded avgas approvals revealed by Lycoming
Lycoming Engines released Service Instruction SI-1070R in April 2012, which approved a wide variety of engines for use with ASTM D7547 UL 91 unleaded avgas. This week, the company reports that Service Instruction SI-1070S has been approved for release, adding 31 engines to the list of models approved for use on UL 91 unleaded avgas, […]
Continental extends TBOs up to 400 hours
Continental Motors has increased TBO up to 400 hours on Gold Standard Factory produced engines. The majority of engine models manufactured after February 2012 will see TBOs increase by 200 hours with frequent flyers receiving up to 400 hours, company officials said. In 2012, Continental Motors introduced its Gold Standard Factory Rebuilt and New Engines. […]
Tempest tapped by Continental
GIBSONVILLE, NC – Continental Motors, Inc. has selected Tempest as its supplier of choice for spark plugs and oil filters. Tempest introduced its line of oil filters in 2004, and in December 2009 completed the acquisition of the Autolite spark plug line from Unison Industries. Tempest oil filters and spark plugs have design features that […]