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sarg314(at)gmail.com
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 Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:38 pm Post subject: airworthiness inspection - random questions |
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I am going thru the "Sample checklist for a condition inspection" which is appendix I of the AC 90-89A. Â Some of the items have me puzzled. Â Checking some of these things just seems like an opportunity to disturb something that was done right the last time it was done.
One of the items says to check the cylinder compression. Â This engine has 1.6 hours on it since rebuild (which admittedly was 10 years ago). Â The rebuilder checked the compression. Â Seems to run good. Â Do I really need to check the compression?
Engine mount bolt torque. Â It's been a couple years, but I torqued torqued and safetied these very meticulously. Â I think these are best left alone.
My PC-680 Odyssey battery is strapped down very securely (in cabin) but not in a battery box. Â I thought that an RG battery doesn't require an enclosing box - no liquid acid there to leak out.
Is there any way to test the altimeter and airspeed when its in the plane? Â Isn't that what the first flight or high speed taxi is supposed to check? (I'm not going to do a high speed taxi, but my test pilot probably will.)
--
Tom Sargent, RV-6A on collision course with DAR
[quote][b]
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Kellym
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1705
Location: Sun Lakes AZ
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| Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:58 pm Post subject: airworthiness inspection - random questions |
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I would recommend doing the compression test. It isn't that much work,
and won't hurt anything. I agree with no need to mess with the engine
mount bolts, as long as they have the appropriate threads showing. Your
DAR may have a preference for cotter pins over safety wire...either done
right is fine. There is no requirement for a battery box..just a secure
mount for a sealed battery. Any place that does transponder and static
system checks can verify your altimeter and pitot system. The altimeter
system check is done on the airplane. Some shops prefer to calibrate
altimeter on the bench, but it isn't required, especially if you are
only getting VFR certification, which is all you can do in Phase I
anyway. Airspeed calibrations to the airframe are what you and/or your
test pilot do during phase I flights, to identify how the pitot and
static port configuration on your airframe affect the indicated values.
You can use FAR 43 Appendix D as a minimum check list for your initial
condition inspection. How you accomplish each item within what is
described is up to you. That list is the bare minimum for a certified
plane's annual inspection, but is a good starting point for developing a
list you want for your future condition inspections.
Kelly
A&P/IA
RV-10 in progress
On 6/20/2010 9:33 PM, thomas sargent wrote:
| Quote: | I am going thru the "Sample checklist for a condition inspection"
which is appendix I of the AC 90-89A. Some of the items have me
puzzled. Checking some of these things just seems like an opportunity
to disturb something that was done right the last time it was done.
One of the items says to check the cylinder compression. This engine
has 1.6 hours on it since rebuild (which admittedly was 10 years ago).
The rebuilder checked the compression. Seems to run good. Do I
really need to check the compression?
Engine mount bolt torque. It's been a couple years, but I torqued
torqued and safetied these very meticulously. I think these are best
left alone.
My PC-680 Odyssey battery is strapped down very securely (in cabin)
but not in a battery box. I thought that an RG battery doesn't
require an enclosing box - no liquid acid there to leak out.
Is there any way to test the altimeter and airspeed when its in the
plane? Isn't that what the first flight or high speed taxi is
supposed to check? (I'm not going to do a high speed taxi, but my test
pilot probably will.)
--
Tom Sargent, RV-6A on collision course with DAR
*
*
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_________________
Kelly McMullen
A&P/IA, EAA Tech Counselor # 5286
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Kellym
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1705
Location: Sun Lakes AZ
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| Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:11 pm Post subject: airworthiness inspection - random questions |
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If you can't find someone to check your static system with a full test
setup, you can create a water manometer to test the pitot system and
airspeed indicator. If you search the internet, I'm sure you can find a
chart for inches of water to airspeed table. You can check the static
system and pitot for leaks by connecting tubing from static port and
tee'd to the pitot to a hand vacuum pump. (be sure to temporarily tape
shut the drain port on pitot and a second static port if you have it,
and then remove when test is done). Pump vacuum to 1000 ft indication
above your current elevation and hold. Start timing. If you lose less
than 100 ft in 1 min your system meets the requirements for being leak
free. Don't just pump vacuum on static port as you can damage your
airspeed indicator if it isn't at same pressure altitude as altimeter.
On 6/20/2010 9:33 PM, thomas sargent wrote:
| Quote: | I am going thru the "Sample checklist for a condition inspection"
which is appendix I of the AC 90-89A.
Is there any way to test the altimeter and airspeed when its in the
plane? Isn't that what the first flight or high speed taxi is
supposed to check? (I'm not going to do a high speed taxi, but my test
pilot probably will.)
--
Tom Sargent, RV-6A on collision course with DAR
*
*
|
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Kelly McMullen
A&P/IA, EAA Tech Counselor # 5286
KCHD |
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rickpegser(at)yahoo.com
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| Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 11:45 pm Post subject: airworthiness inspection - random questions |
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Tom
Now that you have done your ground runs, every bolt needs to be checked for torque. No the battery does not need a box. Yes, check the compression, you are an idiot if you don't. If you have an injected engine and you have not done pressure checks on the engine, see previous line. If your torque wrench has not seen a cal lab in a year it needs to be put back in the box until it sees one. I have yet to see a builder that send their torque wrenches out for annual cal.
rick
--- On Sun, 6/20/10, thomas sargent <sarg314(at)gmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
From: thomas sargent <sarg314(at)gmail.com>
Subject: airworthiness inspection - random questions
To: "rv-list" <rv-list(at)matronics.com>
Date: Sunday, June 20, 2010, 9:33 PM
I am going thru the "Sample checklist for a condition inspection" which is appendix I of the AC 90-89A. Some of the items have me puzzled. Checking some of these things just seems like an opportunity to disturb something that was done right the last time it was done.
One of the items says to check the cylinder compression. This engine has 1.6 hours on it since rebuild (which admittedly was 10 years ago). The rebuilder checked the compression. Seems to run good. Do I really need to check the compression?
Engine mount bolt torque. It's been a couple years, but I torqued torqued and safetied these very meticulously. I think these are best left alone.
My PC-680 Odyssey battery is strapped down very securely (in cabin) but not in a battery box. I thought that an RG battery doesn't require an enclosing box - no liquid acid there to leak out.
Is there any way to test the altimeter and airspeed when its in the plane? Isn't that what the first flight or high speed taxi is supposed to check? (I'm not going to do a high speed taxi, but my test pilot probably will.)
--
Tom Sargent, RV-6A on collision course with DAR
| Quote: |
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et=_blank>http://forums.matronics.com
llow target=_blank>http://www.matronics.com/contribution
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[quote][b]
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pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 3:30 am Post subject: airworthiness inspection - random questions |
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IMHO ......
thomas sargent wrote: | Quote: | I am going thru the "Sample checklist for a condition inspection" which is appendix I of the AC 90-89A. Â Some of the items have me puzzled. Â Checking some of these things just seems like an opportunity to disturb something that was done right the last time it was done.
One of the items says to check the cylinder compression. Â This engine has 1.6 hours on it since rebuild (which admittedly was 10 years ago).
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I take it that you bought the engine 10 years ago and are now just finishing your project? (Finally saw DAR comment at end) Why are you doing a conditional inspection now? I'm missing something here so my comments may not be accurate. If just using it as a checklist instead of a true conditional inspection ..... just look at the items.
| Quote: | Â The rebuilder checked the compression. Â Seems to run good. Â Do I really need to check the compression?
|
Most definitely yes. All kinds of things happen to degrade an engine and compression test .... especially after 10 years sitting and just after a major rebuild. The test isn't difficult and other than oil pressure is the only real indicator of the engines health. Sitting this long .... especially if the engine wasn't pickled ..... I'd be worried about rust on the cam and the cam followers .... this will destroy both if not cleaned up .... which means tearing the engine down.  If it's in a really dry climate you might have dodged this bullet. My advice is to pull a cylinder just to make sure. Time invested here may save you big bucks in the near future and the parts are cheap.
| Quote: | Engine mount bolt torque. Â It's been a couple years, but I torqued torqued and safetied these very meticulously. Â I think these are best left alone.
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I would check it at the end of phase 1 if that's where we're at.
| Quote: |
My PC-680 Odyssey battery is strapped down very securely (in cabin) but not in a battery box. Â I thought that an RG battery doesn't require an enclosing box - no liquid acid there to leak out.
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This is true.
| Quote: |
Is there any way to test the altimeter and airspeed when its in the plane?
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Yes. It's called a manometer. Simple to make and use. Your EAA chapter might just have one ..... and the expertise to use it.
| Quote: | Â Isn't that what the first flight or high speed taxi is supposed to check? (I'm not going to do a high speed taxi, but my test pilot probably will.)
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It would be nice to know that they work and are close to being accurate before the airplane leaves the ground. There is no benefit from a high speed taxi test (IMHO) and just invites the opportunity for Murphy to stick his nose in it.
Linn
[quote]
--
Tom Sargent, RV-6A on collision course with DAR
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Charles Heathco
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 201
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| Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 4:54 am Post subject: airworthiness inspection - random questions |
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Re cyl compression test, I think it is a must do. Every one I know wouldnt do an anual without it. I installed a 170 hr engine three yrs ago, replacing my 2280 hr 320, it ran ok, but #3 only tested 60 over 80. They were Superiors, and I had that cyl OH. The other 3 were in mid 70's. Charlie H
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sarg314(at)gmail.com
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| Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:52 am Post subject: airworthiness inspection - random questions |
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OK. I guess I might as well buy the compression test gauges. I'll need them at annual time anyway. I'll get my 2 torque wrenches calibrated too. I did once several years ago, but it needs to be done again.Â
Thanks for all the feedback.
--
Tom Sargent
[quote][b]
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pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth.
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| Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:05 am Post subject: airworthiness inspection - random questions |
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thomas sargent wrote: | Quote: | | OK. I guess I might as well buy the compression test gauges. |
Harbor freight has them. But you might check your EAA chapter first.
| Quote: | | I'll need them at annual time anyway. I'll get my 2 torque wrenches calibrated too. I did once several years ago, but it needs to be done again. |
If that's what you want to do. I'll admit to not getting mine calibrated. So flame me if y'all want to. I use the German method ... gootdentite.
Linn
[quote]Â
Thanks for all the feedback.
--
Tom Sargent
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