Tug maintenance schedule

[Dan G]

I keep hearing about how our tug needs a "50 hour check", "star
annual" and so forth now and then. Can anyone explain to me the
maintenance schedule a light aircraft in the UK undergoes (i.e., what
needs doing when), or point me towards where I could find out more?

[fred]

On Nov 11, 6:19 am, Dan G > wrote:
> I keep hearing about how our tug needs a "50 hour check", "star
> annual" and so forth now and then. Can anyone explain to me the
> maintenance schedule a light aircraft in the UK undergoes (i.e., what
> needs doing when), or point me towards where I could find out more?

Dan, I have no idea what the rules are in UK, but having 30 years
maintaining Super Cubs and Pawnees, I find the rules here are a lot
less stringent than our own requirements. We do detailed pre-flight at
end of day. Write SQUAKS for maintenance. We operate on sandy soil so
we must be careful with lubrication and taxi operations.
every 25 hours, Change oil, inspect airframe and engine.
Every 50 hours change oil and filter. inspect everything and change
plugs.
Every 100 hrs, do official 100 hr inspection per Piper manuals.
Perform Annual inspection per Piper standards.
Our planes are tied down in uncovered atmosphere. Tails are supported
to reduce angle of attack in high winds. We get 100 knots sometimes.
They are covered with STITS fabric per their process. Very good life .
Wt and balance will change drag and must be adjusted to have no up
elevator when at towing airspeed..65 knots for most gliders. We climb
at 7-800 ftper min towing grob 103. Density altitude runs from 3000 to
10, 000ft.
Be careful, Lycoming engines will not run on air or water, in spite of
pilots who dare.
Over speeding of engine RPM on release will damage things.
We tow in extreme turbulence and severe cross winds. It's not fun but
has not caused failure of anything.
Be sure to NOT let pilots fly with flaps down and strong engine RPMs.
Flap mounting areas get damaged. Propeller blast over the wings can
well exceed fabric stitching limits and flap mountings.
We use reels to wind tow lines. A great safety feature and costs less
for tow line replacement.
The Pawnee is the easiest to fly airplane I've had. They are worth
much more than going market prices. They make money if the pilots use
gas instead of air or water.
Give them the best love and attention, they will reward you. This
would apply to any tug you operate.
Live long. fly high and fast, dont hit the ground. Fred Robinson.

[Ian Kennedy]

LAMS from the CAA
"Dan G" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>I keep hearing about how our tug needs a "50 hour check", "star
> annual" and so forth now and then. Can anyone explain to me the
> maintenance schedule a light aircraft in the UK undergoes (i.e., what
> needs doing when), or point me towards where I could find out more?
>