Compass overhaul dream

[Peter R.]

I just had the most realistic dream. In the dream my Bonanza compass had lost
all of its fluid and was looking pretty sad. Concluding that the compass
needed to be replaced, I found a couple of well-respected aviation supply
websites that sold new compasses for a price. However, right there below the
new compasses I spotted what was labeled in my dream a compass repair kit
that sold for less than a tenth of the new compass price. After asking other
pilot/owners in my dream about this, I learned that these safe and
rule-abiding pilots experienced dreams of successfully rebuilding their
compasses.

So in this dream, I decided to buy and try the compass repair kit, knowing
that I could never do this in real life since sometimes the FAA still
operates from rules carved in stone back in the '60s and '70s. When the
package arrived from UPS Brown (yes, I dream in color), I eagerly ran up to
my kitchen table with the kit and compass in hand and proceeded to
disassemble the compass, even though this repair kit was missing a promised
instruction sheet. I was now crossing the rope without a net.

This is where the dream got interesting. In taking the compass apart, I
discovered that the diaphragm in the back of the compass was quite brittle
and torn, which was the source of the leaked fluid. Fortunately the repair
kit came with a shiny new diaphragm for the back and two seals for the glass
on the front of the compass along with a bottle of "official" compass oil
that could fill more than two empty compasses. With only three different
sized flat-head screwdrivers and fifteen minutes of my time, the compass was
back together and filled to the threads with compass fluid. Once again, it
looked happy.

At the conclusion of the dream I awoke smiling, but alas this joy was quickly
grounded upon receiving a real life call from my mechanic telling me that the
alternator clutch needed to be replaced. Such is but one story of the trials
and tribulations of aircraft ownership.

--
Peter

[Kyle Boatright]

Interesting dream.

Apparently, my dream compass must have a leak that is so small to be
unnoticeable externally, but which requires a top-off every 5 years or so.
In my dreams, I refill it with a syringe.

KB

"Peter R." > wrote in message
...
>I just had the most realistic dream. In the dream my Bonanza compass had
>lost
> all of its fluid and was looking pretty sad. Concluding that the compass
> needed to be replaced, I found a couple of well-respected aviation supply
> websites that sold new compasses for a price. However, right there below
> the
> new compasses I spotted what was labeled in my dream a compass repair kit
> that sold for less than a tenth of the new compass price. After asking
> other
> pilot/owners in my dream about this, I learned that these safe and
> rule-abiding pilots experienced dreams of successfully rebuilding their
> compasses.
>
> So in this dream, I decided to buy and try the compass repair kit, knowing
> that I could never do this in real life since sometimes the FAA still
> operates from rules carved in stone back in the '60s and '70s. When the
> package arrived from UPS Brown (yes, I dream in color), I eagerly ran up
> to
> my kitchen table with the kit and compass in hand and proceeded to
> disassemble the compass, even though this repair kit was missing a
> promised
> instruction sheet. I was now crossing the rope without a net.
>
> This is where the dream got interesting. In taking the compass apart, I
> discovered that the diaphragm in the back of the compass was quite brittle
> and torn, which was the source of the leaked fluid. Fortunately the repair
> kit came with a shiny new diaphragm for the back and two seals for the
> glass
> on the front of the compass along with a bottle of "official" compass oil
> that could fill more than two empty compasses. With only three different
> sized flat-head screwdrivers and fifteen minutes of my time, the compass
> was
> back together and filled to the threads with compass fluid. Once again, it
> looked happy.
>
> At the conclusion of the dream I awoke smiling, but alas this joy was
> quickly
> grounded upon receiving a real life call from my mechanic telling me that
> the
> alternator clutch needed to be replaced. Such is but one story of the
> trials
> and tribulations of aircraft ownership.
>
> --
> Peter

[Montblack]

("Peter R." wrote)
>I just had the most realistic dream. In the dream my Bonanza compass had
>lost all of its fluid and was looking pretty sad.


Was this part of your wet (compass), total loss of fluid, dream?

What can Brown do for you?
What can Amber do for you?

http://image22.webshots.com/23/7/34/40/221573440ryzhZZ_fs.jpg
....and Jade, and Scarlet, and Violet?


Montblack
<http://www.unitedmaskandparty.com/Costumes/images/rocky_horror_magenta_costume.JPG>
....and Magenta!

Ouch, shouldn't have eaten those onions before bed.

[Peter R.]

On 9/28/2007 11:35:39 PM, "Montblack" wrote:

> <http://www.unitedmaskandparty.com/Costumes/images/rocky_horror_magenta_costume.JPG>
> ...and Magenta!

Eesh.

--
Peter

[Roy Smith]

In article >,
"Peter R." > wrote:

> On 9/28/2007 11:35:39 PM, "Montblack" wrote:
>
> > <http://www.unitedmaskandparty.com/Costumes/images/rocky_horror_magenta_cost
> > ume.JPG>
> > ...and Magenta!
>
> Eesh.

It's just a step to the left...

[RST Engineering]

'30s and '40s.

Jim


> that I could never do this in real life since sometimes the FAA still
> operates from rules carved in stone back in the '60s and '70s. When the

[kontiki]

RST Engineering wrote:
> '30s and '40s.
>
> Jim

Exactly. Thanks for the clarifiaction Jim.



>
>
>
>>that I could never do this in real life since sometimes the FAA still
>>operates from rules carved in stone back in the '60s and '70s. When the
>
>
>

[Stealth Pilot[_2_]]

On Sat, 29 Sep 2007 20:17:30 GMT, kontiki >
wrote:

>RST Engineering wrote:
>> '30s and '40s.
>>
>> Jim
>
>Exactly. Thanks for the clarifiaction Jim.
>
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>>>that I could never do this in real life since sometimes the FAA still
>>>operates from rules carved in stone back in the '60s and '70s. When the
>>
>>
>>
in the original op's dreaming he should have noticed whether the
compass still turned freely.
if it does dream on.
if it doesnt take out the spindle and chuck it in your nearby lathe
and reshape the pointy bit. (this will all be clear in your dream so
clarification isnt necessary here :-) ) get rid of all flats and it
will be a wet one again.
then just before awakening again place the compass down at the bottom
of the panel away from all the heat and it will swim on for another 5
years before dreaming needs to set in again.

Stealth (just another dreamer) Pilot
australians are aware of a dreamtime heritage :-)

[Peter R.]

On 9/30/2007 8:08:35 AM, Stealth Pilot wrote:

> in the original op's dreaming he should have noticed whether the
> compass still turned freely.
> if it does dream on.
> if it doesnt take out the spindle and chuck it in your nearby lathe
> and reshape the pointy bit. (this will all be clear in your dream so
> clarification isnt necessary here :-) ) get rid of all flats and it
> will be a wet one again.
> then just before awakening again place the compass down at the bottom
> of the panel away from all the heat and it will swim on for another 5
> years before dreaming needs to set in again.

Interesting. The compass in the dream was swinging freely after it was
rebuilt but that is good to know nonetheless.

This model of compasses is painted black and, as you know, mounted on top of
the glare shield right in the direct sunlight. At the very least wouldn't it
be healthier for the unit if it were painted white? The removed diaphragm
clearly suffered some serious heat damage.



--
Peter

[[email protected]]

Peter R. > wrote:
> This model of compasses is painted black and, as you know, mounted on
> top of the glare shield right in the direct sunlight. At the very least
> wouldn't it be healthier for the unit if it were painted white?

It might be better for the compass but possibly not so good for you.
Eventually you'll hit the right combination of heading and time-of-day
that will make the sun reflect off of that white compass and right into
your eyes. (Another way to experience this is to drive a car whose wiper
arms were originally painted black, but have weathered to expose bright
metal underneath. Eventually you'll blind yourself but good. I found
that having to re-apply a couple of coats of rattle-can black once a
year was a small price to pay.)

Disclaimer: This is based on experience with ground vehicles and
equipment. I don't have an A&P; I don't even have a TG&Y. Your
mileage may vary.

Matt Roberds

[Peter R.]

On 9/30/2007 9:34:50 PM, wrote:

> It might be better for the compass but possibly not so good for you.
> Eventually you'll hit the right combination of heading and time-of-day
> that will make the sun reflect off of that white compass and right into
> your eyes.

Dang, never thought of that. Ah well, we're just dreaming here anyhow, right?
:)

--
Peter

[Stealth Pilot[_2_]]

On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:43:35 -0400, "Peter R." >
wrote:

>On 9/30/2007 9:34:50 PM, wrote:
>
>> It might be better for the compass but possibly not so good for you.
>> Eventually you'll hit the right combination of heading and time-of-day
>> that will make the sun reflect off of that white compass and right into
>> your eyes.
>
>Dang, never thought of that. Ah well, we're just dreaming here anyhow, right?
>:)

the compasses that sit out in the middle of the windscreen are lucky
to last a year without perishing I'm told.
mine at the bottom of the panel goes over 5 years before a leak.

since gps I dont think I've used mine in flight.

matte black for a reason. if it wasnt essential they'd be colour
harmonised with the paint scheme ;-)

Stealth Pilot

[Gig 601XL Builder]

Peter R. wrote:
> I just had the most realistic dream.

12 posts in this thread and not a wet dream joke in the bunch. And you guys
call yourselves pilots.

[Mike Noel]

Go back and check out Montblack's post. It might have been (a little)
subtle but I hope it wasn't just my own imagination.

--
Best Regards,
Mike

http://photoshow.comcast.net/mikenoel

A frog in a well does not know the great sea.
"Gig 601XL Builder" <wrDOTgiaconaATsuddenlink.net> wrote in message
...
> Peter R. wrote:
>> I just had the most realistic dream.
>
> 12 posts in this thread and not a wet dream joke in the bunch. And you
> guys call yourselves pilots.
>
>
>

[Gig 601XL Builder]

Mike Noel wrote:
> Go back and check out Montblack's post. It might have been (a little)
> subtle but I hope it wasn't just my own imagination.
>

I missed that one. I new you guys wouldn't let me down.

[Robert M. Gary]

On Sep 28, 7:20 pm, "Peter R." > wrote:
> I just had the most realistic dream. In the dream my Bonanza compass had lost
> all of its fluid and was looking pretty sad. Concluding that the compass
> needed to be replaced, I found a couple of well-respected aviation supply
> websites that sold new compasses for a price. However, right there below the
> new compasses I spotted what was labeled in my dream a compass repair kit
> that sold for less than a tenth of the new compass price. After asking other
> pilot/owners in my dream about this, I learned that these safe and
> rule-abiding pilots experienced dreams of successfully rebuilding their
> compasses.
>
> So in this dream, I decided to buy and try the compass repair kit, knowing
> that I could never do this in real life since sometimes the FAA still
> operates from rules carved in stone back in the '60s and '70s. When the
> package arrived from UPS Brown (yes, I dream in color), I eagerly ran up to
> my kitchen table with the kit and compass in hand and proceeded to
> disassemble the compass, even though this repair kit was missing a promised
> instruction sheet. I was now crossing the rope without a net.
>
> This is where the dream got interesting. In taking the compass apart, I
> discovered that the diaphragm in the back of the compass was quite brittle
> and torn, which was the source of the leaked fluid. Fortunately the repair
> kit came with a shiny new diaphragm for the back and two seals for the glass
> on the front of the compass along with a bottle of "official" compass oil
> that could fill more than two empty compasses. With only three different
> sized flat-head screwdrivers and fifteen minutes of my time, the compass was
> back together and filled to the threads with compass fluid. Once again, it
> looked happy.
>
> At the conclusion of the dream I awoke smiling, but alas this joy was quickly
> grounded upon receiving a real life call from my mechanic telling me that the
> alternator clutch needed to be replaced. Such is but one story of the trials
> and tribulations of aircraft ownership.
>
> --
> Peter

I have twice tried to repair a compass (with a licensed person
assisting) and both times it ended up costing *MUCH* more than just
buying a new one. It seems to be a very difficult science and the odds
of leaking are very, very high after an OH.

[Ray Andraka]

Robert M. Gary wrote:

>
> I have twice tried to repair a compass (with a licensed person
> assisting) and both times it ended up costing *MUCH* more than just
> buying a new one. It seems to be a very difficult science and the odds
> of leaking are very, very high after an OH.
>


I've had an instrument shop overhaul mine with good luck. First time
was about 9 years ago. The other time was last year, and I'm pretty
sure I did that one in by using an auto sytle heat shield in the window
that put the compass in the little greenhouse created between the glass
and the aluminized mylar bubble material starting about a year before
the compass sprung a leak. Took the guy at the shop less than an hour
to rebuild the compass, including re-wiring the lamp in the compass.

[Peter R.]

On 10/1/2007 1:33:18 PM, "Robert M. Gary" wrote:

> I have twice tried to repair a compass (with a licensed person
> assisting) and both times it ended up costing MUCH more than just
> buying a new one. It seems to be a very difficult science and the odds
> of leaking are very, very high after an OH.

Perhaps this is compass brand/model dependent? $12 for the kit and 15 minutes
of my time and the unit hasn't leaked a single drop in almost a week?

--
Peter

[Montblack]

("Gig 601XL Builder" wrote)
> I new you guys wouldn't let me down.


Anyone? Anyone? ....No one?

Anybody? Anybody? ...Nobody?


Montblack :-)
Well, I'm NOT touching it!

[Robert M. Gary]

On Oct 1, 6:27 pm, "Peter R." > wrote:
> On 10/1/2007 1:33:18 PM, "Robert M. Gary" wrote:
>
> > I have twice tried to repair a compass (with a licensed person
> > assisting) and both times it ended up costing MUCH more than just
> > buying a new one. It seems to be a very difficult science and the odds
> > of leaking are very, very high after an OH.
>
> Perhaps this is compass brand/model dependent? $12 for the kit and 15 minutes
> of my time and the unit hasn't leaked a single drop in almost a week?

Do that 3 times in 2 weeks and pay $80/hr for an hour each time.

-Robert

[JGalban via AviationKB.com]

Montblack wrote:

>
>Anyone? Anyone? ....No one?
>
>Anybody? Anybody? ...Nobody?
>

Buellerrrrr? Buellerrrr? ...

John Galban=====>N4BQ (PA28-180)

--
Message posted via http://www.aviationkb.com

[mbremer216]

In my dream the compass drained most of it's smelly contents and got
repaired with an overhaul kit. I haven't had any dreams about a leaking
compass for over a year.

Mike
"Peter R." > wrote in message
...
> On 10/1/2007 1:33:18 PM, "Robert M. Gary" wrote:
>
>> I have twice tried to repair a compass (with a licensed person
>> assisting) and both times it ended up costing MUCH more than just
>> buying a new one. It seems to be a very difficult science and the odds
>> of leaking are very, very high after an OH.
>
> Perhaps this is compass brand/model dependent? $12 for the kit and 15
> minutes
> of my time and the unit hasn't leaked a single drop in almost a week?
>
> --
> Peter

[Kloudy via AviationKB.com]

Montblack wrote:
>("Gig 601XL Builder" wrote)
>> I new you guys wouldn't let me down.
>
>Anyone? Anyone? ....No one?
>
>Anybody? Anybody? ...Nobody?
>
>Montblack :-)
>Well, I'm NOT touching it!



Peter R. wrote:

>I just had the most realistic dream. In the dream my compass had lost
>all of its fluid and was looking pretty sad.

>I eagerly ran up to my kitchen table with the kit and compass in hand and proceeded to
>disassemble the compass,

>This is where the dream got interesting.

>At the conclusion of the dream I awoke smiling,

> which was the source of the leaked fluid.

who really needs to say anything more?

--
Message posted via AviationKB.com
http://www.aviationkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/aviation/200710/1

[Peter R.]

On 10/2/2007 7:13:26 PM, "mbremer216" wrote:

> I haven't had any dreams about a leaking
> compass for over a year.

I hope not to have this dream again for awhile, too.

--
Peter

[Jim Stewart]

Peter R. wrote:
> On 10/2/2007 7:13:26 PM, "mbremer216" wrote:
>
>> I haven't had any dreams about a leaking
>> compass for over a year.
>
> I hope not to have this dream again for awhile, too.

Especially a wet one...