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.
The Case of Electrical Dropouts
Electrical gremlins can be tough to track down. This month’s case involved a non-builder owner of a fairly new RV-8, and it took us...
Improperly Installed Intake Gaskets
We noticed the intake gaskets were leaking on cylinders 3 and 4 on the Lycoming IO-320 in an RV-9A. There was a logbook entry...
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...
In Case You Missed it
Vortex Generators for Cooling
A simple fix reduced CHTs in a Velocity by 55 degrees. By David G. Ullman.
Terms and Conditions
“Customers are always right except in matters of money.” Those stark-but-telling words were emblazoned...
With a Little Help From Your Friends
In a world where a COVID-19 forces us inside and further emphasizes virtual relationships—with...