Vic Syracuse
Vic is a 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 9000 hours in 72 different kinds of aircraft. Vic volunteers as a Young Eagle pilot and Angel Flight pilot. He chairs the EAA Homebuilt Council and is a member of EAA’s Board of Directors. He also has his own sport aviation business called Base Leg Aviation.
Turnbuckle Safety Wire
Turnbuckles are usually used in control systems to apply the proper amount of tension to the cables. It is extremely important to ensure that...
Leaky Static Lines
Ever wonder why static systems often start to leak after a couple of years? See the little plastic insert between the two tubes in...
Missing Rivets
This is the root rib on a horizontal stabilizer. The rivets that fasten the rib to the spar are completely missing!
Jam Nut Triple Threat
Jam nuts serve a purpose and that is to prevent actuating arms from becoming disconnected. I found three examples on the same airplane. Two...
Past Due ELT Batteries
There is a requirement for an annual ELT check to be entered into the aircraft logbooks. The batteries must be replaced prior to the...
Rotax Training for the 9 Series
Lockwood Aviation helps you get a full understanding of the four-stroke Rotax.
Low Compression
Usually, we look for something greater than 60/80 when doing compression checks on Lycoming engines. A reading such as this one (36/80) really warrants...
Alternate Air Opening
This was discovered on an aircraft during a condition inspection. It really was a poor installation. Nonetheless, the aircraft had been operating on unfiltered...
Missing ELT Batteries
Many aircraft owners don’t realize that some ELT control panels and audio alerters have their own separate batteries, which must be installed at installation...
Maxing Out the Fun Factor
For those who have experienced it, the fun of going on a flying trip with your friends and their families in the airplanes you...
In Case You Missed it
Ask the DAR
Mel Asberry answers readers’ questions on one-off engineering data requirements, how to fill out an AC 20-27G form, and how to test-fly an aircraft in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ask the DAR
Major changes to your homebuilt aircraft require sign off by the FAA. Mel Asberry explains how to keep it legal.
Brake Turn
My local airport, Corona Municipal in Southern California, sits in the Prodo Dam basin...
