Many voices crowded the advisory frequency as I approached Paso Robles, but by the time I was on the 45 the other pilots had landed and silence reigned. I landed long on 19, turned off at the end, and found a parking spot at the end of a long line of visitors to the annual Antique Aero invitational barbecue.
Technicalities: It Will Maybe Be OK
Key Takeaways:
- The pilot's homebuilt aircraft suffered a sudden battery failure before takeoff, requiring a jump start.
- During the subsequent flight, the pilot faced issues with non-retracting flaps and a landing gear that wouldn't fully lock, necessitating manual intervention for a safe landing.
- Post-flight investigation revealed two distinct, simultaneous problems: the initial electrical battery failure and a major hydraulic fluid leak from a detached line, which explained the flap and gear issues.
- The author concluded that these two improbable and unrelated failures, occurring concurrently, highlight the unique and unpredictable challenges of operating a one-of-a-kind aircraft.
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