Ever wonder why static systems often start to leak after a couple of years? See the little plastic insert between the two tubes in the photo? It is supposed to be inserted into the end of the tube. Without it, the tubing will eventually start to collapse as seen on the right tube and cause a leak!
In Case You Missed It
Tribute to Teachers and Mentors
I write this submission during the month of November when traditionally we ponder and...
Get Grounded
It’s almost cliche. You’re having intermittent noise or performance issues in your avionics suite,...
The Unintimidated Builder
Builder Walter Treadwell has taken on projects that many of us would find daunting, and he keeps upping the ante. First came a Lancair 235, then a plansbuilt Jenny JN-4, followed by a P-38 and then his current project, a resized Sikorsky S-38. Some 4000 hours into the new project, Treadwell has a ways to go, but fortunately he has a mini AgCat to fly in the meantime; by Bob Fritz.
Problem I had with the static lines installed for the altitude hold sensor for the sTek autopilot: apparently the tubes were not ‘approved’ and they got brittle and shattered in the tail area. Took about 15 years from installation, and were not caught during the annual inspection.