Vic Syracuse
Vic is a fixed-wing and helicopter commercial pilot, CFII with ASMEL/ASES ratings, an A&P/IA, DAR, and EAA technical advisor and flight counselor. Passionately involved in aviation for over 40 years, he has built 11 aircraft and logged over 10,000 hours in 72 different kinds of aircraft. Vic volunteers as a Young Eagle pilot, has his own sport aviation business called Base Leg Aviation, and has written two books on aircraft prebuy and condition inspections.
Cracked Alternator Bracket
Look closely and you will see that the bracket is cracked on the left side of the slot.
Building the ‘Beater – Part 1
In my “New Sojourn” column in the July 2022 issue, I told you I was committed to building a Hummingbird helicopter. I have begun...
SCAT Tubing Cut
Be careful when routing SCAT tubing close to metal structures like engine mounts.
The hard spring wire can actually cut through the 4130 engine mount...
Always Learning
While I see lots of recurring maintenance problems every day, tough ones that require some additional thinking for the Diagnosis column don’t always happen...
What’s AirVenture Without a Little Storm?
Although, last night’s storm was one of the bigger ones. Lots of rain and wind gusts over 50 mph. So far, we are not...
Volunteers—The First People You Meet in Oshkosh
We arrived here around 9 am this am, after a wonderful flight from Dekalb, IL. Nothing like a nice calm flight over the IL...
Leaky Primer Line
Primer lines need to be silver soldered into their fittings. Using RTV to fix a leak is not acceptable and poses a serious fire...
Another Alternator Gotcha
Well, it seems to be the season for alternator problems, as just this week I had to diagnose another interesting one. As with any...
No Brake Fluid
Perhaps brake lines in the cockpit should be part of the preflight? This aircraft was moments away from having no left brake due to...
In Case You Missed It
Cover Story: Building a Custom Cushion
Learn how to measure, cut and assemble the foam pieces that constitute the seat cushion.
Riding the Radial Rocket RG
The Radial Rocket TD already had a following, but with some tweaking and the addition of retractable gear, the new Radial Rocket RG is poised to take off. By Ed Kolano.
Assistance for Resistance
This month’s home shop project was suggested by Matt Burch. Matt sent a couple...
Target Fixation Taught by Trees
I was chopping firewood under a dead ash tree, whiffing deep, ax-head-shaped divots into my lawn, when I remembered the time, once upon a takeoff, that a living oak tree nearly got the best of me.