I go through flight instructors faster than Britney Spears goes through husbands.

Well I got a new instructor, but thats old news as he didn't quite work out. Unfortunately he wasn't comfortable flying a cherokee or into my airport so after one flight he suggested I fly with another pilot who had more experience in cherokees.
Unfortunately this new instructor is more expensive but it looks like he is worth every penny. He is a class 1 instructor with tons of cherokee time.
First flight with him was ok but given the new instructor I was really nervous and didn't put on my 'A Game'. It is really awkward flying with someone new, especially with a differant personality type than what you are used to. Differant people have different expectations and that makes for a very intimidating environment.
Today being my second flight (I was supposed to fly Friday but we had to cancel due to weather) was much more relaxed and comfortable. It is amazing the different perspective another person could provide. Runway 07 at springwater has always sort of been the bane of my existence. No matter what I did I could not beat this landing into submission. Today after a few circuits and plenty of pointers things started making sense. I was no longer hacking away at the controls trying to slam the airplane in the ground in some sort of controlled method, but am now planning a head and keeping everything tighter. My new instructor seems to be overall happy with my general level of skill but is pushing me for more.
Now please don't think that this was any inadequacy on my old instructors part, he provided a solid foundation to build on and I do look to him as a mentor of sorts. He recently got hired at Porter airlines and will be back in Southern Ontario more frequently. Hopefully I will get to fly with him again.
I am really excited about my new instructor. It seems like I will finally finish off my license, I am getting ready to write my TC exam, I re-wrote my PSTAR (my old one expired with my medical) and I have my medical exam scheduled for tomorrow. I just have to get all my ducks in a row and I can see the finish line a head of me.
I have flights scheduled every Tuesday and Friday and will schedule more as frequently I can. I dont want to jinx it, but I may actually be able to finish this damn thing!
I will try to update this more often. Stay tuned!
Niss "I Got My Fingers Crossed!" Feiner

Annual Inspection.....OOOOOHHHHH SKEERY!

Well it is time to outline the plight of our aviator/aircraft owner. C-FUBC is out of annual and ready to soar with the eagles!

Keeping in spirit of my blog I will post what work was done on UBC just as a snippet of information for the would be aircraft owner.

This has not been the most expensive annual and has not been my cheapest. It has certainly been the most enlightening. This time round was far more comprehensive with my mechanic as he took the time to go over everything and give me his opinion of what needed to be done, what I can do, and what can be deffered.

Work Report for Piper Cherokee 130 S/N: 28-21375 C-FUBC

Airframe: Tach Time: 2370.77 Hobs time 2404.4 TTSN 5728.8

Engine: TSN: 4768.6 TSO: 1954.8

Propeller: TSN: 1141.2 TSO: 0.0

1. Total Time Since New Hours 5728.8 hrs.
2. Emergency locator transmitter Model found installed. AC Model E-01 S/N 030496 Next recertification is due May 2009. replace Battery: Due May 2010*
3. External ELT location placard installed.
4. All required placards per the Type Certificate TData Sheets and Pilots Operating Handbook found installed.
5. Researched Airworthiness Directives to date from Transport Canada (CAWIS) Dated May 16, 2008 up to AD2006-03-08.
6. Compass Swing Record: (*On Actual sheet but removed from this post)
7. Tachometer Accuracy (A/C Tach. Eng: 1700 / 2000, Master Digital Tach. 1710/2000).
8. Fire Extuingisher installed. Flag model. ABC-025 S/N 118053C Recertified.
9. First Aid Kit found installed that conforms to CARS 602.60 AWMs 624.39.
10. 100 Hour inspection / Annual inspection of the complete airplane is maintained in accordance with CAR’s 625, Appendix B, Part 1 and Appndix C as applicable. Piper Inspection Sheet is Used as A guide only.

Airframe Work Completed

1. Found vertical play in engine throttle. Found throttle cable loose at dash. Tightened nut.
2. Serviced landing gear oleos.
3. Lubricated landing gear and all components.
4. Topped up air in tires: 24psi.
5. Battery Box had corrosion in it. Removed all and painted with battery box black paint.
6. Cabin Door Pins loose. Installed new door pins. P/N MS20492-3C13 X2
7. Red Oil Stain from parking brake. Found to be old. System is not leaking.
8. Cabin Vent Bracket at pilot feet broken. Repaired with new rivets. P/N CR32123-4-1 X2
9. Vacuum and Regulator filters replaced. P/N RAD9-18-1 X1, P/N RAB3-5-1 X1.
10. Some rust on nut of antenna in tail. Removed rust.
11. Bracket that holds brake line on right side is loose. Tightened bolt.
12. Small play in right aileron rod end bearing. Checked serviceable. Need to check at next annual.
13. Removed dead bird in tail section.
14. Rudder horn rust forming on it. Removed all rust and painted with epoxy primer gray.
15. Trim drum for elevator has loose bushing. Replaced. P/N 450-413 X1.
16. Lubricate all cables and pulleys and pivoting points.
17. Cleande electric pump screen.
18. Cleaned fuel bowl. Installed new gasket. P/N 462.049 X1.
19. Drained Carb and found no water. Lockwired plug back in.

Engine Specific Work Completed

1. Oil leak from rocker cover #3. Replaced new gasket.
2. Installed new engine air filter. P/N BA3 X1.
3. Removed engine oil and oil screen. Checked for metal. None found. Put 7 quarts of W100 in. Owner supplied 5. Oil W100 X7.
4. Couple of teeth on ring gear in rough shape. Filed sharp edges off.
5. Missing fastener on engine baffle. Installed new bolt.
6. Checked mag timing. All is ok.
7. Upper Exhaust clamp is close to rudder rod for steering. Adjusted clamp so it isn’t near steering rod.
8. Rocker covers removed for 400hrs inspection. Reccomended by piper and because engine is going “on condition”. All checked and new gaskets installed. P/N SL75906 X4.
9. Put Lycoming engine additive in.
10. Compression test cold #1 75/80 #2 72/80 #3 75/80 #4 72/80.
11. Vacuum pump bolt a little loose. Tightened as required.
12. Mag timing checked ok.
13. Engine hoses checked ok at this point in time.

Propeller Specific Work Completed

1. Prop sent to Leavens for 5 year corrosion inspection. Installed propeller. Torqued to specs in MM and lockwired bolts. Work Order #81-0113.

Recurring Airworthiness Directive Compliance Work Completed

AD69-22-02 Failure of control wheel – c/w using AD. No defects found. Next inspection due June 2009.

AD70-16-05 Cracks in muffler – C/w using AD. No Defects found. Next inspection due June 2009.

AD95-26-13R1A Oil Cooler Hose Ruptures – C/W using AD. No defects found. Next Inspection June 2009.

AD CP90-03R2 Exhaust type cabin heater –C/W using AD. No defects found. Next inspection Due June 2000.

Lycoming O-320-E2AS/N L-15941-27A is “ON CONDITION”

- Compression test needs to be done every 25 hrs.

- Run Engine to see if pulls full RPM every 25 hrs.

- Oil and filter needs to be changed every 50 hrs.

- Pilots need to notify mechanics on oil consumption.

- Oil analysis done yearly. Start of the year and at end of the year to see if there is much difference.

I have not received the detailed invoice yet but will certainly update you with the costs of this annual.

A few things I wanted to mention with this one. This time round my mechanic made me a snag list that we went through. He started by asking how I wanted the annual conducted; in accordance with Transport Canada’s requirements or in accordance with Piper’s recommendations. As the manufacturers list is much more involved and detailed it is substantially more money to perform. That said I certainly want a safe and well running airplane. So I informed him that I would like TC’s requirement as the minimum and I would like to see Piper’s recommendations. The idea being that we can keep an eye on what piper recommends and replace it little by little.

Par example: Piper recommends that the oil hoses be replaced every 5 years whether physically required or not. Well my hoses are considerably older then the 5 year recommendation but are still quite serviceable. There for we decided that we would note Pipers recommendation and consider replacing the hoses next year. I still have a safe a/c but can anticipate replacing said hoses.

Another issue is the overall time of the engine. TBO (Time Before Overhaul) on my engine is 2000 hrs and at 1954.8hrs it is getting close. The term “On Condition” only really applies to commercial aircraft in Canada but it is prudent to run my Private engine through the same gauntlet. Keeping an eye on it is not only a safe thing to do, but is important to protecting your investment. A factory overhaul is ~$25,000.00. Yikes!

I also change the oil every 25hrs, which is more frequently then recommended.

There is also the issue of corrosion. The paint is flaking off in some areas and I need to get out to the airport sometime to give it a touch up. The skin is Aluminum so oxidization on that isn’t so much the concern. However there are a few steel parts that attach to the aluminum (ie. Brackets, step, etc.). These need to be properly protected against the elements. I anticipate bringing the camera with me and document my beautification process.

Worth noting in this blog is the issue coming up in February regarding the ELTs. I am tired from typing everything so I think I will add this in another entry soon.

All in all I am looking at about $3100.00 for this annual between my partner and myself. Not too bad. Atleast it wasn’t a surprise!

On a very happy note.....I FINALLY WENT FLYING! After over a year of being on the ground with my eyes aimed skywart I finally got to punch a hole in the sky! I went up with a pilot buddy of mine. We got some gas at CNB9 (Lake Simcoe regional) and did a lap there. He flew us there, I flew 1 circuit, and home. I came in a high and hot but the oleos didn't shoot through the top of the wing and I am typing so it wasnt too bad. Trust me there is much more to come! Awesomeniss.

BRAINS! BRAINS! BRAINS! Thats right, I am back from the dead!

Well if anyone actually reads this thing I am sure you guys missed me! I am back!

Why the haiatus you ask? Well remember my last post where it says I got a moped? Well that one didnt pan out so I bought another one. And subsequently I crashed it resulting in a snapped Ulna & Radius which resulted in open reduction surugry, which resulted in 3 months of recovery. Yay! So after 2 stainless steel plates, 11 screws, countless months of screwing the pooch in the ways of finding a flight isntructor after being screwed over by my last one (the one who stood me up for 4 flights in a row, not the good one before him) I finally have another instructor! Hells Yeah! And if it goes well I might even remember how to fly an airplane. So assuming this pans out ladies and gentlemen I will have more content up for those who want to learn how to fly or own an airplane. Soon I will take to the skies. At the moment I am sitting at 36.5 hrs total time 4.7 of which is PIC time. Mid to end of next month UBC will be in the hanger for her annual and hopefully I will get some time on the tools.

So please ensure that your tray table is up and your seats are in their upright and locked position.

Yours Truely,

Capt. Niss