Search Results for: Cessna 172

Avionics and Gear

Garmin’s Retrofit Autopilot STCed for Additional Aircraft Models

Garmin is bringing safety enhancing capabilities to legacy aircraft models with the approval of its GFC 500 retrofit autopilot STC. The Olathe, Kansas-based company added the Grumman AA-5 series airplanes, which include Traveler, Cheetah and Tiger models, as well as the 140-horsepower Piper PA-28 to the list. The GFC 500 is also available for many […]

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Accident Probes

Its Your Job To Check

Theres an opinion among some pilots and mechanics that inspections and scheduled maintenance can do more harm than good. By constantly disassembling and reassembling an aircraft to inspect it, they argue, were prematurely wearing out the aircraft and actually making it less safe. Those same pilots and mechanics note that this is largely true, in their opinion, for aircraft that arent flown very much. For more active aircraft, however, they acknowledge that regular inspections and maintenance are less intrusive and, in fact, beneficial.

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Airmanship

NTSB Reports

The pilot later stated he selected the landing gear handle to the down position, but the main landing gear did not lock in the extended position. He then selected the landing gear handle up, but the landing gear did not retract. After maneuvering away from the airport, an attempt to pump down the gear with the emergency hand pump was unsuccessful. An airframe-mounted mirror indicated the left landing gear was down. During the landing, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane veered to the right and departed the runway surface, coming to rest on the parallel taxiway.

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Accident Probes

Bad Yokes

During a scheduled inspection, technicians encountered corroded and bent control yoke boss attachment hardware that proved difficult to remove. After consulting with the manufacturer, the final recommendation was to remove the boss via cutting the bolts (p/n 2315152-33). Manufacturer was able to repair the yoke assembly using SB 31-27-11 and kit 2381602-801. Aircraft had been parked outside without gust locks.

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Pilot Proficiency

Fly Like Someone is Watching

Last summer, I traveled to Scotland on vacation for a week to attend a wedding on the Isle of Skye. I’d hardly consider the first few hours of the trip relaxing. I picked up my rental car in the center of downtown Edinburgh and was instantly tasked with operating a manual transmission from the right […]

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News

EAA Unveils New Flying Club Initiative

Oshkosh, Wisconsin-based EAA revealed its new Flying Club Initiative at AirVenture 2018 designed to create, “local pathways to encourage and develop flying,” according to the association. The FCI’s primary goal is to assist members with the creation of nonprofit flying clubs that offer more affordable ways to keep members flying at their home airports. Rick […]

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Aircraft

Inside the Diesel Revolution

Spend even a few minutes comparing the operation of an avgas-powered engine to a diesel—also known as a compression-ignition engine or a jet-A power plant—and a number of diesel benefits jump right out. Diesel engines don’t have spark plugs, and demand no magnetos. Jet-A-burning piston engines are water-cooled too, meaning they’re less susceptible to overheating […]

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News

Dean International Flight School Shuts Down After Midair Collision

In response to a midair collision involving two of its airplanes, Dean International Flight School has shut down, according to local news sources. On July 17, a Cessna 172 and a Piper Seneca collided killing four people. The flight school opened in 1995, and operated from Miami Executive Airport (TMB) in southeast Florida. Dean International […]

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News

NTSB Releases Preliminary Information on Florida Midair Collision

Details published Tuesday by the NTSB indicate that a Piper Seneca and a Cessna 172 that collided a week ago near Miami hit nearly head on. The Piper was headed northwest and the Cessna southeast, with both aircraft level at approximately 1,500 feet when the accident occurred. Both aircraft were destroyed in the collision about […]

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Accident Probes

Switch Hunts

Beech Model 65 Queen AirFailed Gear Limit SwitchLanding gear limit switch (p/n MS250261) failed to stop motor during retraction, causing landing gear circuit breaker to pop. Aircraft landed without incident. Re-rigged the switch IAW maintenance manual. Retraction test and ops check okay.Part total time: Unknown

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Pilot in aircraft
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