Avionics News December 2012 - 44

HISTORY’S CARETAKER
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Like the 5-AT, the Tin Goose spent time in a variety of industries – in passenger transportation, firefighting, government service, air show rides and as a crop duster. Today, the old birds receive a lot of TLC from Peer and the rest of the EAA maintenance crew. “The aircraft have all lived interesting lives and have been repurposed several times,” Peer said. “The B-17 is unique in that it had an auger system installed previously when it was used for spraying applications. It’s also interesting that the Ford Tri-motor 4-AT-E was used for smoke jumpers.” The number and diversity of aircraft that EAA’s crew maintains is staggering. “Along with the Ford Tri-motors and the B-17, we regularly maintain other aircraft like a 1929 Travel Air E-4000, 1927 Swallow OX-5, Boeing Stearman, Spirit of Saint Louis replica, Waco UEC and a Piper Cub,” Peer said. “I’ve assisted in the restoration of a Waco CTO and a Standard J-1 and the fabrication of a Bleriot XI. We also maintain museum aircraft, such as a Ryan SCW, Ercoupe, T-33, P-38 and our B-25, just to name a few.” MAKING THINGS WORK Self-motivated and meticulous, Peer enjoys problem-solving and learning about aircraft and their systems. His hobbies include model building, video games, remote-controlled aircraft and helicopters, automobile maintenance and restoration, and crafting clocks, lamps, furniture and aviation décor. Recently, Peer put his talents to work repurposing an old piece of equipment at EAA’s Weeks Hanger. “We had a gas generator unit donated to us some time ago,” Peer said. “The generator was originally used as an auxiliary power unit on large aircraft in the 1940s and 1950s. I was given the task
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EAA’s 1929 Ford 4-AT-E Tri-motor waits to give rides at Pioneer Airport located across from the association’s museum in Oshkosh, Wis.

“EVERY DAY BRINGS A NEW CHALLENGE AND ANOTHER EXPERIENCE. IT IS INTERESTING TO THINK OF ALL THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE ME DURING AN AIRCRAFT’S TIME IN SERVICE, AND WHAT THINGS WERE LIKE WHEN IT WAS NEW.”

– Michael Peer

of making this old generator unit useful again. I decided to create a combination generator and 12/24-volt battery cart to use for external ground power for our aircraft.” Tackling his first challenge, Peer created a schematic that allowed power input from the generator and an electric wall charger, as well as delivered either 12 or 24 volts output. “The design required several relays to accomplish the different voltage outputs, as well as two separate output cables,

one for each voltage,” Peer continued. “I also created an instrument panel for the unit to show amperage output, battery voltage, as well as the gauges for the generator unit. It provided a number of challenges, mostly in the circuitry, but everything was corrected. The cart now works as planned. It has been especially useful when having to leave avionics equipment on for extended periods of time while troubleshooting.” Peer doesn’t just maintain aircraft or occasionally repurpose vintage equipment; he’s also a private pilot with high-performance and tail-wheel endorsements. “I have time in a Cessna 162, 172, 182, 210, Wag Aero Cubby and a Van’s RV-6,” he said. “I’ve also flown a Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon and Piper Aztec. In the future, I would like to obtain my instrument, commercial and flight instructor ratings.” Along with additional flight ratings, Peer plans to earn a bachelor’s degree and an inspection authorization. For now, he enjoys the challenges and rewards that come with doing what he loves. “I work alongside a very talented crew of mechanics with a great deal of experience and expertise,” he said. “It is a very unique opportunity to maintain such aircraft, and I look forward to being able to do it each day.” q

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Avionics News December 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News December 2012