Right wing has the replacement rib fit up. Shop estimates completion date is May 1. Not like I'd be flying much with all this wonderful wet weather we're having on the left coast right now. Pictures he http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h262/k2_boardrider/Ribs/ password=jack then click on...

This past December, I was lamenting our options in dealing with AD 2006-18-15, the repetitive eddy current inspections on our Hartzell prop hub. Our prop had been through three overhauls and it likely would not have made it through one more (prop shop did some measurements while on the plane...

It's been a few weeks since picking up the Arrow from the annual inspection. In short, the *required repairs* cost far less this year than last. The only significant airworthiness issue was a crack in the lower wing skin, just forward of the spar and where the wing connects to the fuselage. ...

I found out a few months back that we're affected by the recent Hartzell prop hub AD...requires an eddy current inspection on the front half of the hub within 50 hours TIS then every 100 thereafter *or* annual, whichever comes first. So I made it to the prop shop this week and the good news is...

I stand corrected. Our little adventure at the avionics shop where we found our second GS simply disconnected due to recessed connector pins cost us $190 to fix, not $95. So, while I was off by a factor of 2 on the price, still, less than .2 AMUs doesn't seem all that bad. A partner and I...

It's funny how anything less than $100 seems cheap when it comes to fixing something on an airplane (especially when it's your own airplane). Hmmm, must be because after the inevitable $1000+ repairs, anything less than $100 seems like chump change. Go figure. When we bought the Arrow, one...

Anyone who wants to chip in ahead of time so that folks like Jim B. and MontBlack can have some working capital for buying food for the party, e-mail me, Jim B. or Jay H. for Jim's Paypal info. Some people (who shall remain nameless but tend to build awesome coolers for said event) go way above...

After a long 6.5 weeks in the shop for the annual and replacing two cracked ribs, yesterday was the day for the test flight. It was my first time being a test pilot and I recall reading several posts about first flights following an annual so I took a long time during the preflight. Add in the...

Updated pictures he http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h262/k2_boardrider/Ribs/ Right wing is done. Left wing top rivet work is done and bottom rivet work is in progress. Should be airworthy before the end of next week. GNS-430 is back from Garmin (had to comply with an AD and get a...

I had to make the weekly pilgrimage to the shop today and took a few more pictures. Pictures can be viewed he http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h262/k2_boardrider/ Password is "jack" then click on "ribs". First six pictures are the new ones. Not much progress since the last week but I'm...

Looking for any feedback from folks that had mostly C-172 time (zero complex and/or RG time) then transitioned to a complex airplane when you went to buy. What did you transition to? Was it a good decision/positive experience? What type of insurance requirements did you face in terms of dual...

Mr. "Smith" suggested I post pictures of our cracked ribs in a.b.p.aviation. Done. Pictures posted were taken prior to removing the gear side brace and bracket. -- Jack Allison PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane Arrow N2104T "When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth

Price of two new ribs............ 1.1 AMUs Crating those ribs for shipment.. 0.1 AMU Labor estimate................... 3.5 AMUs to 4.9 AMUs (50-70 hours) Kleenex.......................... Free At least I can divide by three and share the pain. Good thing I'd been flying like crazy the past few...

Jack Allison wrote: Oops...meant to post in r.a.o...bah, stupid fingers! Piper has a new service bulletin, SB1161 that calls for inspection of the rib just inboard of the landing gear and aft of the main spar. ...

It was one of those times where I really didn't want any search results returned for the document. Yea, our serial number isn't on the list. :-) Phew, dodged a bullet, our crank doesn't have to retire in three years. Then again, Piper recently came out with a wing rib SB (#1161) that we'll have...

Well...it could have been water in the pitot system...and maybe not. After the shop removed the ASI then blew high pressure air through the system, everything works just fine. No identifiable debris from the system though. Before removing the ASI, blowing low pressure air through the system would...

While cruising through Wal-Mart this evening, I saw a couple of those 12 volt electric coolers designed for use in a car and I started wondering if anyone has used one in your plane? If so, how good/bad did it work? Any issues with the plane's electrical system? Was it worth not having to deal...

Jim, The bay are fog cycle is going to dictate an LHM departure Friday morning. Hehe, you won't be an hour ahead of me out of the blocks after all! :-) We'll probably be wheels-up by 7:00 or so. Will monitor 122.75 and periodically broadcast to see where you're at. Check your six! (oh, wait,...

Friday on the takeoff roll from Minden, NV (MEV), the oil door decides it's time to bail out. The latch has been a problem lately and the whole door assembly had an appointment with my brother and his riveting tools for a hinge and striker plate replacement. So, a co-worker and I have just filled...

Pinging the collective wisdom of the r.a.o folks on a couple of maintenance issues: 1) Our engine monitor (JPI EDM-700) sometimes indicates sporadic EGT values for #1 cylinder. It behaves like a sensor or connection issue as the engine runs fine and the fuel burn is within expected values. ...