AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2021 - 97

Hands-on head
expansion /
Rolling up my sleeves on 'Race 53'
There was probably a hammer in
the house I grew up in, but I never
saw it, nor was I shown how to use
it. My father was a distinguished
professor of business statistics
and economics: When something
broke down, he picked up the
phone and called someone to fix it.
And that's how I handled airplane
maintenance, until this year.
Under supervision, I disassembled
the landing gear wheels, and
serviced the bearings using snap
ring pliers and a wheel bearing
packer. I changed tubes and tires
on the mains, learning the art of
using a valve stem remover tool.
Then I replaced the bearings on
the pilot-side main landing gear,
and serviced both main gear
struts with hydraulic fluid using an
" oiler can. "
Speaking of liquids, I removed
the at-the-end-of-its-service
life brake fluid reservoir and
installed a new supplemental type
certificate replacement, using a
step bit to drill a proper size hole
in the firewall for the hydraulic line
fittings. I removed the cockpit floor
and fit and installed a new floor
using proper OEM components,
brackets, and hardware. This
required careful measurements,
and cutting and drilling of both
metal and wood components-and
screwdriver and removing the inspection
plates, and then re-installing them later.
That doesn't take much skill, and supervision
required is minimal.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
I was blessed to find Terry O'Brien, a
semi-retired A&P/IA who says, " Aircraft
owners and pilots need to know what is
I learned the value of the electronic
digital caliper. And of nut drivers.
FINALLY!
A CARD
FOR PILOTS.
I delved into the fascinating world
of fasteners. Floating clip nuts, nut
plates, worm gear and wire ring
hose clamps; and I used a Marson
thread setter to install rivet nuts.
Additionally, I learned to install
Adel clamps with an awl and
needle-nose vice grips. I was also
introduced to metal fabrication, and
the use of a nibbler to cut detail
work in panel inserts. And the use
of pop rivets and the pop rivet tool.
Upside down, with my feet sticking
out of the cockpit, I learned the
value of fixed and ratcheting offset
screwdrivers, and of long-reach
pliers in the limited confines of an
airplane interior. I learned to strip
insulation from aircraft electrical
wiring, and the secret to successfully
crimping electrical connectors and
terminals with a crimper.
I learned to pressure-test exhaust
assemblies, and I installed
a parking brake and an oil
temperature gauge. There was
more, of course, but I'm running out
of " paper. " And speaking of paper, I
also learned how to properly record
all the work completed in the
aircraft logbooks.
The entire experience was
incredibly mind expanding,
empowering, and-frankly-fun.
But I still don't know how to use a
hammer. -WED
beyond the throttle and yoke. " O'Brien,
who feels strongly that owner-assisted
annuals are essential to light aviation, was
not only willing to let me assist, but actually
insisted on my doing the bulk of the
legally allowable work on my Ercoupe, and
was willing to teach me the skills and techniques
necessary.
AOPA PILOT / November 2021
97
2%
Cash Back1
on
purchases at FBOs
& Flight Schools2-3
on purchases of
and
Aviation & Auto Fuel2-3
A CASH BACK1
REDEMPTION IS APPLIED AS A STATEMENT CREDIT.
QUARTERLY BONUS POINT CAP OF 2,500 POINTS
Visit
AOPA.org/creditcard
to learn more.
*Certain points and purchases restrictions apply, see full Rewards
Terms and Conditions for full details at AOPA.org/creditcard.
1. Rewards points can be redeemed for Cash Back or other items provided
through AOPA Pilot Rewards. A Cash Back redemption is applied
as a statement credit. The statement credit will reduce your balance
but you are still required to make at least your minimum payment. A
minimum of 2,500 points is needed to redeem for Cash Back. Values
for non-cash back redemption items such as merchandise, gift cards,
and travel may vary. 2. Please note that merchants self-select the category
in which transactions will be listed and some merchants may be
owned by other companies, therefore transactions may not be counted
in the category you might expect. Purchases made using Near Field
Communication (NFC), virtual wallets, or similar technology may not
be eligible for bonus points. 3.You will earn 4% Cash Back (1 regular
point + 3 bonus points = 4%) for every $1 of Net Merchandise Purchases
on select AOPA purchases, 3% Cash Back (1 regular point + 2 bonus
points = 3%) for every $1 of Net Merchandise Purchases made at select
AOPA partners, 2% Cash Back (1 regular point + 1 bonus points = 2%)
for every $1 of Net Merchandise Purchases made at FBOs (fixed based
operators), aviation and auto fuel, and flight schools, and 1% Cash
Back (or 1 point) for every $1 of other Net Merchandise Purchases. For
example, if you spend $100, you will earn 100 points which is equal to
$1 in Cash Back rewards. A maximum of 2,500 bonus points will be
awarded per calendar quarter, per rewards account. Please allow up
to five business days after the transaction posts to your account for
bonus points to be awarded.
http://www.AOPA.org/creditcard http://www.AOPA.org/creditcard
AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2021
