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Searching, Sleuthing, and Pizza Money End the Saga of ‘The Colossal Mistake’

The engine repairs finally took place, but getting them done took a little bit of everything.

An open hangar becomes a makeshift workshop. [Photo: Jason McDowell]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author faced substantial logistical challenges in repairing his airplane's engine after a prior incident, specifically transporting a heavy replacement engine and securing a qualified mechanic to work on-site at his remote airstrip.
  • He successfully navigated these hurdles by leveraging the "local aviation grapevine" and community support for recommendations and assistance, finding this network more effective than online searches for specialized rural services.
  • A dedicated mechanic performed the complex on-site top overhaul, replacing damaged cylinders and restoring the airplane's airworthiness, concluding a major phase of the author's "colossal mistake" with a successful repair.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Editor’s note: This is part four of an ongoing series about the author’s “colossal mistake.” You can read part one here, part two here, and part three here.

There are certain things you should never see sitting outside, bathed in sunlight and fully exposed to the elements. A baseball signed by Babe Ruth. Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester sketchbook from the early 1500s. The actual, original U.S. Constitution. And—especially—your airplane’s pistons and crankshaft.

Jason McDowell

Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.

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