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.
Disconnected Pitot Line
Ever lose your airspeed in flight? The nylon lines held in the “push-grip” fittings must have some flexibility in them so they aren’t pulled...
Listen To the Engine
This month’s column is the start of a new series based upon feedback from KITPLANES® subscribers who said they missed my contributions. Thankfully, Marc...
Unlabeled Controls
It is a requirement that the engine controls are labeled as to their function and operation. In this case, labeling the blue knob “Prop—Push...
Broken Battery Hold-Down Bracket
This battery hold-down bracket was discovered in an RV-10 during a condition inspection. It is a very serious safety issue that probably needs no...
Oil in Line
Look very closely and you will see liquid in the tubing. This is the manifold pressure line to the electronic ignition system.
The fluid in...
Improper and Proper D-Sub Connectors
The connector in the left photo was discovered on the back of an autopilot control head that was intermittent. D-subs require a backshell (right...
Where’s the Throttle?
Engine controls, and all other controls in the cockpit, should be labeled as to function and direction. It is standard practice to use black...
Improper Deburring
It is really important to remove the burrs that are created when drilling through aluminum prior to riveting. Otherwise the rivets will not get...
Improper Bolt Length
A bolt should extend beyond the nut by 1–3 threads. If it is any longer, then the next size shorter bolt should be used....
In Case You Missed It
Comp Air 9
Chuck Berthe flies the turbine-powered Comp Air CA9, an impressive work in progress. With a combination of a massive airframe and a Honeywell turbine, the CA9 is a heavy hauler that will really scoot.
Parts Is Parts
A major part of any Experimental kit will be hundreds of products that the kit supplier didn’t manufacture or fabricate but simply sourced from the open market to supply with their custom kit components.
Down to Earth
Two German globetrotters are flying their Vans RV-7 around the world to promote aviation. By Amy Laboda.
