Search Results for: Cessna 172

Transforming our elegant aerial machines into land vehicles is arguably the single most difficult aspect of flying. Many flight hours are spent practicing approaches and landings, occasionally followed by smooth deceleration to a safe, controlled stop. Brakes help make this possible, but if you ignore or abuse them they can bite back in a most spiteful way. The brakes in most general aviation airplanes involve relatively simple systems, but theyre not as robust as an automobiles. For one thing, most personal airplanes arent equipped with an anti-lock brake system. For another, automobile brake components are larger, heavier and more powerful. Yet, we often find ourselves in an airplane on or near the ground traveling at highway speeds. And, like so many tasks associated with aviation, theres also a right and wrong way to use an airplanes brakes. Lets start with how to inspect them.

Never have I regretted spending money on airplanes. The costs for upgrades and maintenance may have been prodigious, but they always felt good. The airplane was either improved or restored. I never questioned these investments. Same for hangar, insurance and fuel. I wanted the airplane protected indoors, I wanted to protect the people flying in […]

“On final,” states an unidentified submitter, “the student selected 30 degrees flaps; a loud pop was heard, the r/h flap came down to 30 degrees, but there was no movement at the l/h flap. The aircraft landed without incident. Investigation revealed the swaged ball end broke from the remaining cable (p/n 0400107-146).” The submitter suspects high time and cycles as contributing factors to the failure.

If you’re looking for a bargain on a 30-year-old piston single with a run out engine, well then, you could be in luck; the prices are down and the inventory’s up. It’s a classic example of supply and demand. But assessing the market for used (or if you prefer “pre-owned”) piston singles is a lot […]

June 1, 2006, Port Townsend, Wash.
de Havilland DHC-3T
At approximately 0830 Pacific time, the float-equipped airplane was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing in Puget Sound. The Airline Transport pilot and his 10 passengers were not injured. The flight was being as a Part 135 air taxi; instrument conditions prevailed. The pilot later said that as he approached Port Townsend, the flight encountered lowering ceilings and visibility. Water conditions were glassy smooth with no visual definition. As he began to turn back, conditions worsened and he elected to perform a precautionary landing on the water. With no visual definition, he misjudged the landing and…

The Liberty XL2, a two-place trainer/touring airplane manufactured in Melbourne, Florida, might well be the most eccentric, innovative and downright quirky certified airplane you can buy, and chances are good that even if you have heard of it, you don’t really know just how odd and cool it is. The Liberty embodies several notable contrasts. […]

April 1, 2006, Hudson, Colo.
Rans S-7 Experimental
At 1625 Mountain time, the aircraft was substantially damaged when it impacted an oil tank while landing. Visual conditions prevailed; the Airline Transport pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained serious injuries. The pilot subsequently stated they were attempting to land on Runway 15 when the airplane impacted the oil tank on the left side of the runway. The right wing separated, and the right horizontal stabilizer was bent up and wrinkled. The closest official weather observation at the time of the accident included winds from 340 degrees at 21 knots, gusting to 27 knots. A peak wind recorded at 29 minutes past the hou…

The following information is derived from the FAAs Service Difficulty Reports and Aviation Maintenance Alerts.

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Cessna 170B, 172-172E, 180, 182-182D, 185s
Worn Flap Handle Latch
The FAA has received reports of problems associated with a tubular spacer found within Cessna flap handle latch mechanisms (p/n 0510166-0 through -5). The spacer is transfixed by a rivet with washers at each end.Continued use of this latch mechanism causes wear on the handle. Should this occur, the spacer can work itself out of the handle sufficiently to jam the latching mechanism. Wear may be evidenced by scraping marks found just below the washers on either side of the flap handle….

January 1, 2006, Peachtree City, Ga.
Piper PA-28-180
At 2007 Eastern time, the aircraft collided with trees during an approach in instrument conditions. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and the Private pilot was fatally injured. The pilot had been cleared for the Runway 10 Localizer approach at the Macon Downtown Airport (MAC). Shortly after receiving the clearance, he reported overflying the airport, and requested another approach.During the second approach the pilot said he was having trouble staying on the localizer course; control tower personnel reported seeing the airplane overfly the runway. Controllers then diverted the flight to Middle Georgia Regional…

If you believe the hype, thousands of very light jets are right around the corner. What will it take for pilots without jet experience to safely fly them?