Maintenance Questions

Cousin has a glider and said that he needs to add fluid in compass.

Is this something that can be done? If so, can he do it or does an A&P have
to do it? What is the fluid?

Also, he is also wanting to replace the tubing between the pitot tube and
the instrument. Again, can he do this or does an A&P have to do it?


Thanks...

"C. Massey" wrote

What is the fluid?

In sailboats, it is mineral spirits. I don't know about airplanes, cause I
don't think I am allowed to mess with the sacred compass! ;-))

Kerosene. If the compass is an Airpath, which seems to be the most
common, you can buy a rebuild kit that includes new seals and fluid.

I will let the armchair lawyers hereabouts comment on the legalities.

David Johnson

Para 43.3, (g) Authorized persons, preventive maintenance, rated pilot

Appendix A to Part 43 of the Fed Air Regs, paragraph C, Preventive Maint

Do not see a compass as an approved item..
do see.. "replacing hoses other than hydraulic"

Normally there is more to a compass than "adding fluid", if it needs
fluild.. there is a leak.. need to rebuild it.
Then need to "swing the compass" installed in the glider with electrics on.

BT


"C. Massey" wrote in message
et...
Cousin has a glider and said that he needs to add fluid in compass.

Is this something that can be done? If so, can he do it or does an A&P
have to do it? What is the fluid?

Also, he is also wanting to replace the tubing between the pitot tube and
the instrument. Again, can he do this or does an A&P have to do it?


Thanks...

BT wrote:


Then need to "swing the compass" installed in the glider with electrics on.


Hmm... the only glider I ever flew in didn't have anything resembling
electricity.

On Jun 25, 6:32 am, Ron Natalie wrote:

Hmm... the only glider I ever flew in didn't have anything resembling
electricity.

You might be surprised at the sophistication of a modern glider (not
some stone age beat up trainer). My 20 year old LS6 has two
independent GPSs, moving map, glide computer, electric varios with
audio, radio, ELT, dual redundant separate battery systems, etc.

Many of my friends have transponders and/or TPAS's in theirs.

Nice to have on those long XC flights.

Kirk
66

On Jun 24, 8:34 pm, "C. Massey" wrote:
Cousin has a glider and said that he needs to add fluid in compass.

Is this something that can be done? If so, can he do it or does an A&P have
to do it? What is the fluid?

Also, he is also wanting to replace the tubing between the pitot tube and
the instrument. Again, can he do this or does an A&P have to do it?

Thanks...

I know I can't legally do either of these on my airplane (my A&P can't
even change the tube, that an avionics job). Is this glider FAA
certified?

-Robert

acid free white kerosene
fill compass/ get A&P to replace tubing
==========================================
"C. Massey" wrote in message
et...
Cousin has a glider and said that he needs to add fluid in compass.

Is this something that can be done? If so, can he do it or does an A&P
have to do it? What is the fluid?

Also, he is also wanting to replace the tubing between the pitot tube and
the instrument. Again, can he do this or does an A&P have to do it?


Thanks...

wrote

acid free white kerosene
fill compass/ get A&P to replace tubing

I'm curious, for those that know sailboat and airplane compasses, why the
difference in fluids?

In sailboats, I was told the reason for using mineral oil was to dampen the
movements, with the more viscous fluid doing that function.

I would think that airplanes would need the same characteristics of the
dampened movement, but yet, people are saying that the thinner kerosene is
the fluid of choice to use in the compass.

Anyone got any insights to this?
--
Jim in NC

Yeah, I did this whole "what fluid to use" thing about four years ago on
this same newsgroup. No, kerosene isn't the optimum choice, but that's what
Lindy had to use going across the Big Pond, and the FAA has proceeded little
from that point.

Mineral oil freezes at a fairly high temperature. Damned few sailboats out
on the water when it freezes, so that isn't a problem for them. It is for
us.

The viscous fluid of choice for compasses is copy machine fuser oil. Good
from boiling to freezing and well past. Thick enough not to ooze past
slightly dried out seals. Not to be used except in experimental aircraft
and aviation quality (ahem) "boat" compasses.

Jim

--
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in
a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, with chocolate in one hand and wine in
the other, loudly proclaiming 'WOO HOO What a Ride!'"
--Unknown


"Morgans" wrote in message
...


In sailboats, I was told the reason for using mineral oil was to dampen
the movements, with the more viscous fluid doing that function.

I would think that airplanes would need the same characteristics of the
dampened movement, but yet, people are saying that the thinner kerosene is
the fluid of choice to use in the compass.