the official publication for bonanza, baron
Transcription
the official publication for bonanza, baron
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION FOR BONANZA, BARON & TRAVEL AIR OPERATORS decades are uniquely to provide ABS members a little "plane talk" about their individual Insurance requirements. The ASS Program is one of the most comprehensive insurance programs available in the industry today and features expanded coverages, access to a variety of underwriters and competltlvt: rates. The professional Falcon staff is dedicated to serving ASS members with an insurance program that is setting the standard for the industry. Call today for same day quotes and coverage. / Falcon Insurance Agency is the Insurance Program Manager for the ABS INSURANCE PROGRAM 1-800-2S9-4ABS (4227) www.ta lconlmurance.com Fax: 830-792-1144 P.O. Box 29 1388 · Kerrville, Texas 78029 PubIiShed by American Bonanza SocIety. Organized January 1967 FEBRUARY Volume 04 ON THE 8251 8287 BEECHCRAFT PARTS & AVAILABILITY COVER BEECHCRAFT OF THE MONTH By Bill Carter Jeff Moir's Travel Air pictured 8288 A SOAKING AT KITTY HAWK in the snowy terrain of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Photo by Uso Moir. By John M . Miller 8289 FEATURES GUEST EDITORIAL 8271 8272 By Richard Etherillgton FRIENDS WITH A TRAVEL AIR By George Wilhelmsen 8280 IMPROVED DATALINK CAPABILITY 8284 WHY I LIKED MY TRAVEL AIR By Jay Ledvina By David Kahil 8282 MY 28Y TRAVEL AIR STORY 8283 ABS NOMINATING COMMITIEE REPORT 8288 THE TRAVEL AIR AS A TRAINING MACHINE 8253 SERVICE CLINIC SCHEDULE 8270 FORUM PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS 8271 BPPP SCHEDULE hy Jack HaJ/illg.~ 8275 ASS MEDICAL NEWS by Neil Poban: alld ArJ,:y Foulk I~ proptr1~ CURRENTS by Lew Gage 8288 REGIONAL NEWS 1~38-?960) is published II1cmhly br lht Americ:ll1 thf \lli.... ibl Mld--C<IIIlmml Airport. 1922 Mldf.dd Ro.!. \Io~ICIuta. ABS MAGAZINE (ISSN Bcnan>.l Soe~~· at KS 6720'}. The pnce of a yearly subscnptlOll is included i11111r amuaI ~ ($501 0( Soclcly mc:mbcrs. l'l:nodicals posla~ paid II ....'lctma. KallS35. and al addlliQllll mill· In,otras. Display, Advertising Director John ShoemaKer of Ihe Socitly and shall rIO! bt n lurn",. Anicles subnun«l ... ah PIClUrts rtcflYC pubhcaUOIl pre ference. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Nancy Johnson. ADS Executive Director ART DIRECfOR : Jim Simpson 8285 8287 CALENDAR by Jim Hughes Send artictesfletters to: ABS Magazine Publication Office P.O. Box 12888, Wichita, KS 67277 Tel: 316-945-1700 Fax: 316-945-1710 E-mail: [email protected] WebSite: http://www.bonanza.org INSURANCE by ./ohn Allen. Fa/colI llI.mmnce 8277 AVIONICS 8287A AD SECTION EDITOR: Beny Rowley 8284 by Charles Davidson. M .D. TECH TIPS/TECH NOTES Cop,' and pholograph s ~u h mill cd for pu hliallion IJeromf PILOT REPORTS By Craig Bailey By 1. Hamilton Wright 8250 BONANZA/BARON MUSEUM 8273 THE LAST GLITCH By S"ell Larsoll 8249 NEW PARTIAL PANEL TECHNIQUES By ROil Zasad:inski TRAVEL AIR PRELIMINARY DESIGN 8285 FIRST FLIGHT By Char/es Davidson , MD. By Randy Groom, PresidellllGM Beecheratt 8283 Number 2 2779 Aero Pork Drive, PO. Box 968, Traverse City, M149684 1-800-773-7798, ext. 3317 Fax; 231.-946--9588 ~o p;v1 m l ~liOll of llus publnlion may be !rpI1DICd or duplICaIcd .. uboul IIIr ..-nnm pet. m Ille Edllor in ChK: f TheScn1) .-vJ~an.-IUq!I ~ bill: ~or :lmrlC)'({dr ~. kn ~lw:!rirIcrbtn)~~ClJDno(lh> &IiII:I" or~dD~ ~~Ihr~ cI \b!~. ~re;;,-r."I'SlII:ngll kl ~ 1I1) mII:n- II sutmned b pubIkukn Al\~UAL DUfS; US-550, Canada .t Mcxl(."()-$3() (US ), Foreign-$88 (US) • Life mc:mbcrship-$I ,001 Conlilct ABS HeadquarltfS for delDi!,. POSTMAS1ER: Send ~ dwigci IOABS "" ~GAZJ\"E, PO Bcu 12881. \\~ICbi .... KS 6nn·2888. 0 Cop)'Tighl2OOl. 1922 MIDFIELD ROAD P.O. BOX 12888 . WICHITA. KS 67277 TEL: 316-945-1700 FAX 316-945-1710 E-MAIL: [email protected] Help make this your magazine. Send articles for consideration to ABS by mail. fax or e-mail. ABS MAGAZINE !SS!i.E 2004 SERVICE CLINIC SCHEDULE Contact ABS headquarters to sign up. or sign up online <[email protected]>. Lantana. Florida (KLNA) MAR. 11-14 Spring. Texas (KDWH: Houston area) Beaver Air Services & Equip .. Inc. APR. 22-25 Paducah. Kentucky (KPAH) PRESIDENT JOHN D. HASTINGS. M.D. (At-Large) '2005 1432 S. Newport Ave. Tulsa. OK 74120-5601 phone 918-747-7517. lax: 918-742-7947 e-mail <[email protected]> VICE PRESIDENT CRAIG R. BAILEY (Area 4) 2004 2518 Colony Ave .. lindenhursl. lL 60046 phone: 847-64&<1866. fax: 847-646-7768 EHTloil <[email protected]> TREASURER JACK THREADGILL. (Area 5) '2005 1602 Brook Hollow Drive. Bryan. TX 77B02 phone: 979-779-7 155. fax: 979-775-7432 e-mail <fhreodgl®tco.neb SECRETARY JAMES E. SOK. (Area 1) 2004 9 Spruce Dr.. PO Box 1895. Lakeville. CT 06039 phone 232484-6696. fax: 860-435-6114 e-mail <[email protected]> STEVEN W. OXMAN (Area 2) 2004 3B5 Westbury Dr.. Riva. MD 21140 phone: 410-950-3080. fax: 410-950-6956 e-mail <[email protected]> CHARLES S. DAVIDSON. M.D. (Area 3) 2006 1605 Wood Duck Ln .. Kill Devil Hills. NC 27948 phone: 252441-569B. fax: 252441-5853 e-moil <[email protected] BtLL STOVALL (Area 6) 2006 32675 Woodside Dr.. Evergreen. CO 80439 phone: 30J.lll 0-1350. fax: 303.070-3385 e-mail <[email protected] JON LUY (Area 7) 2005 205 Amador Road. Sutter Creek. CA 95685 phone: 209-267-0167. fax: 209-267-0247 ~m a il <jdebonair@hotmail,com> ARTHUR W. BROCK (Area 8) 2006 2831 Cott Rd" Rancho PolosVerdes. CA 90275 phone 310-548-ll507. fax: 310-548-3767 e-mail <[email protected]> • Second and final term APRil MARCH 1 , Member experiences:The Irue costs at owning Barons vs. Bonanzas , Maintaining Ihe Beech electric propeller Windward Aviation FEB. 19-22 Term expires SUBMISSION DEADLINE Midwest Aviation Services. Inc. B.J. McClanahan. MD 1967-1971 Frank G. Ross 1971-1973 Russell W. Rink 1973-1975 Hypolite T. Landry. Jr. 1975-1976 Colvin B. Early. MD. PhD 1976-1977 Copt.Jesse f. Adams. USN(R) 1977-1978 David P. Borton 1978-1979 Alden C. Barrios 1979-1980 Fred A. Driscoll, Jr. 1980-1981 E.M.Anderson, Jr. 1981-1983 Donald l. Monday 1983-1984 Harry G. Hadler 1984-1985 John E. Pooon 1985-1986 Charles R. Gibbs 19B6-1987 Joseph McClain. III 19B7-1988 lee larson 1988-1989 William H. Bush 1989-1990 Roy l. Leadabrond 1990-1991 James C. Cassell. III 1991-1992 Warren E. Hoffner 1992-1993 John H. Kilbourne 1993-1994 Barrie Hiern 1994-1996 Ron Vickrey 1996-1997 Willis Hawkins 1997-199B William C. Corter 199B-1999 Tilden O. Richards 1999-2000 Jon Roodteldt 2000-2001 Harold Bast 2001·2002 Jock Threadgill 2002·2003 MAY APRil 1 , "Airplane in the Barn"-Restoring a vinlage Bonanza from 'hangar queen' 10 ' ramp rocker , The insurance induslry and train ing requirements tor Beech airplanes JUNE MAY 1 , Speed mods , Shiny and clean- Maintaining the interior and exterior JULY JUNE 1 , ABS Convention 2004: Going to Orlanda , Pump it up-P-Barans. Dukes and Ihe fabled Beech lightning AUGUST JULY 1 , E-series engines-Tips tor ftying and maintaining a classic , Bonanza and Boron traclional ownership programs SEPTEMBER AUGUST 1 , Engine overhauls , USing the ABS website. CD· Rom and headquarters library OCTOBER SEPT. 1 , litelang learning-A recurrent training regimen , Engine mods NOVEMBER OCT. 1 , Airworthiness Directives round-up , Thanksgiving special- Maximum grass weighl increases DECEMBER NOV. 1 , Siale of the Induslry: BeechIRoythean Aircraft Company. Teledyne Conlinenlal Molars propelfer and fuel provider commit· ment to continued produclion and support of our airplanes , Winler gelowoys- fomily Irips for Ihe Beech sel ABS Board matters I am writing this message before the January meeting of the ABS board to infonm the membership of imponant items that will be discussed. Vice President Craig Bailey will be giving an update on Technical Initiative projects that came out of last summer 's Sam James Technical Summ it. Groups fonmed at the summit have continued working in their respective areas. The summit led to suggestions for an ambitious number of goals, and Craig will be making recommendations for prioritization of both shon- and long-tenn goals, from which action items are being selected. Checklist on website One suggestion arising from the summit was development of a good prepurchase checklist to gu ide those buying Bonanza and Baron aircraft. Arky Foulk did a fine job drafting the extensive checklist, then worked with I ei l Pobanz and Tom Turner to finalize this excellent tool. The product has now been completed. I invite all members to visit the ABS website <www.bonanza.org>, enter the members-only section and click on "Prepurchase Survey Checklist" in the Table of Contents list. I have looked at the checklist and am very happy with this quality product. It is only the beginning of the fruit that will be borne from the technical summit. I am pleased to see this addition to the website. Craig Bailey has worked hard to shepherd advancement of summit goals, and he deserves a hand from us all . As you know, Tom Turner is now in fu ll swing in his role of Manager of Technical Services. I have been in touch with Tom and he is enthusiastically working on his projects. As mentioned in an earl ier column, Tom has broad experience in the educational aspects of aviation, and he will be busy working with both the Technical and Educat ion Committees to prioritize, integrate and coordinate these ambitious efforts. Welcome Ron Gros For years we have been fortunate to have two stalwans on daily telephone duty-Technical Consultants Neil Pobanz and Arky Foulk. They have been steadfast in their effon to provide technical support to all of us in ABS. As might be expected, the volume of calls- and for Neil, e-mail messageshas increased significantly as our membership and advisory needs have grown. So Neil and Arky"s workload has gotten extremely heavy, taxing them to the limit at times. I am happy to report that Neil and Arky will now have some help. Many of you know Ron Gros from his representation of Raytheon at ABS conventions and Service Clinics. Ron retired last year after 35 years with Beech!Raytheon, where he was involved with the piston line the entire time. His last position was as Manager, Technical Support-Piston Aircraft. Ron will spell Neil and Arky two days a week, giving them each a much-needed day away from ABS duty. In the future, we also expect Ron to fill in for Bob Olson as a Service Clinic inspector. We welcome Ron to the technical support team and look forward to his advice and expertise. Advancing education in ABS As chainnan of the newly formed Education Committee, I plan to present some exciting ideas at the upcoming board meeting. We will discuss the concept of a broad coordinated educational initiative with multiple anns including the BPPP program; si mu lator trai ning; access to Bonanza/Baronspecific instruction fo r owners of newly purchased aircraft; a Bonanza!Baron-specific syllabus for new owners and flight instructors with limited Bonanza/Baron experience; and educational tracks at the annual convention quality "lifelong learning" experience. 10 provide for a leadership conference Last. we are spending some extra time at this board meeting with a fac ilitated discussion of the best methods for ensuring effective leadership and strategic planning from an ever-changing volunteer board. We hope to all learn from this experience. The primary goal of the board is to always act in the best interest of the ABS member, and we hope to become better at it. So our work will be cut out for us. I know we will make good use of our time. Unt il next month . - Jack At the upcoming board meeting, we will discuss the concept of a broad coordinated educational initiative to provide ABS members with a quality "lifelong learning " experience. ABS February 2004 <www.bonanza .org> Page 8250 Jeff Moir, Newhall, California FLYING THE TURBO TRAVEL AIR ~ became involved with the turbo Travel Air in 1984, when I bought it as a fixer-upper after it had been belly- landed at Mammoth Lakes Airport and parked next to my C35. I have been an A&P mechanic and something of a Beech special ist ever since gettjng started in aviation. so the repairs and modifications of the airplane over the years were fairl y routine. Its equipment was standard for the time, and hasn't changed much since: dual KX 170Bs. Narco DME 190, Narco DGO10 HSI, Century I autopilot, transponder and audio panel. Previously installed was the Rayjay turbo kit and Scott built-in oxygen system. The interior is configured for five seats, although the fifth is pretty tight for an adu lt, and I don't normally carry it installed. Aside from the new paint and interior, the only noteworthy items I' ve installed are a Baron nose cone, an Apollo GPS and the Shadin fuel totalizer with GPS interface. This combination has proven to be invaluable in that the fuel totalizer gives very accurate fuel-burn statistics for each engine individually and together. I Jell MOir wiffl Nt25E have only single-probe EGTs on each engine, so with a little experience, leaning is a very quick and very accurate process. With the Shadin receiving time and distance info from the GPS, any question of whether the destination can be made with appropriate fuel reserves is quickly answered by selecting the appropriate function on the instrument. Flying the aircraft is no big deal. Cruise speeds are on a par with the Bonanza fleet, and [ nann ally flight plan for 160 knots and 10 gph per engine running at 23/23. J have no doubt these engines could be run leaner, but with single-probe EGTs and turbos, I feel it 's bener to err toward the conservative side. The manual waste gates on the turbos are manipulated via indi vidual vernier controls mounted on the fuel pedestal. The length of the trip, the wind direction and weather factors determine to what extent [ will use the turbos, although I'll always use them on climb-out. Taking off at altitude airports or at those with a high DA is where this system really shines. Without turbos, the Travel Air is severely challenged under those conditions, as the ITSB accident files will show. With turbos, however it's a very pleasant experience. Normally, in runup, with a DA of 3,000 feet or more, [ will set the mixtures fu ll rich, individually set the throttles to full open and slowly roll the waste gate closed on one engine to attain a manifold pressure of 26.5". I will leave that setting, idle that engine and do the other engine and turbo. On takeoff, the preset turbos go to 26.5" and then to about 28.5" when the ram air starts to take effect. I've found the turbos will maintain 23" up to 15,000 feet at which time the waste gates are fully closed and the manifold pressure begins to taper off. Unfortunately, there is nothing in the night manual supplement that tells what kind of performance [ should expect. The system is sensitive to leakage in the intake system, as the air box has a clapper valve that shuts when boost pressure overcomes ram intake pressure. This area, as well as the waste gates, should be suspect in the event there is any large difference in the boost capability between the two engines. Turbo or not, the Travel Air is not a spectacular performer on takeoff, and each takeoff should be undertaken with good awareness of accelerate-stop distances, obstacle clearance takeoff numbers. gross weight-and a plan to put the plane down somewhere in the event an engine barfs in the worst possible place. Expecting the remaining good engine to take you anywhere other than the scene of the accident could prove fatal in the event an engine goes away 50 feet in the air at gross weight with the Vxse airspeed of 77 knots. Better to just plan to land it straight ahead somewhere, and if in your spare time you can get the gear up, feather the prop, do everything else right and save the day, so much the better. The loss of an engine at altitude is fairly benign, and it flies quite well on one with a normally aspirated single engine service ceiling of 7.500 feet. T have not explored to find what the single engine service ceiling is with the turbos, nor is there any data in the STC material. but I would expect it to be somewhere around 13.000 feet. As with the Barons, rudder authority in the single-engine mode is very good. So good in fact, that the FAA issued a notice for Barons and Travel Airs that, during the course of a multiengine checkride, the applicant will not be required to perform the VMC maneuver, i.e. with the critical (left) engine inoperative and the operating engine developing full power, raise the nose until rudder authority is lost, then recover. At altitude, Travel Airs and Barons wi ll stall before they run out of rudder authority. When that happens in the configuration I just described, they tend to enter a spin and in some cases go inverted rather abruptly-hence the FAA giving us a freebie on that one. N125E EQUIPMENT LIST Dual KX 170B KY 76 transponder Norco 00010 HSI Norco DME 190 Norco audio ponel Apollo GX55 ing is necessary. On landing, if you keep it trimmed, ies the same pussycat you know and love from Bonanza flying, and equally predictable. Considerably lighter than the Barons but, carrying the Baron brakes, stopping is effortless. Care and feeding Care and feeding of the airplane is not much worse than a Bonanza-the Travel Air is basically a Bonanza with two engines. The ISO-hp Lycoming is perhaps the most durable engine ever put in an aircraft and. if treated right, will almost always go TBO without a cylinder change. (Try that with a Continental.) The packaging of the Lycoming motors on the airframe leaves a bit to be desired. It 's a difficult engine to uncowl and work on, and with the turbos is a real nightmare of mounts. lines and hoses. On the bright side, it 's been my Handling and response The handling and response is just what you'd expect from a Beech product: light , crisp and rock-solid. The weight and mass play into the equation. with roll rates a bit more sluggish than a Bonanza. As with the Barons, when you get a rate of descent going it takes a bit of power to fix it, particularly if you're fond of cuning the power funher out on final. I recommend carrying some power over the fence unless a short field land__ ABS EebrUOI'I2OO4_ _ _ _ Cenlury I autopilot PS Engineering intercom Shod in fuel flow Davtron M800 clock Sco« oxygen system _ Royjoy turbos Spin-on oil filters Cleveland wheels & brakes Beryl sloped windshield Beryl vented side window Baron nose cone late-style overhead vent system 300 and 1,000 hours respectively, but there is a Top Prop mod available when this becomes a nuisance. I've been a mechanic for a long time, and the key to keeping maintenance expense to a minimum is keeping an airplane hangared. Our beloved airplanes could literally last forever if we could keep them in an oiled sock, but hangaring is the next best thing ... AND the wife likes the Travel Air. As we all know. that's kind of important. She likes the idea of two engines and, although the cabin size is comparable to our old Bonanza, she likes the weight and the way it handles turbulence by comparison. This is probably the last airplane I will ever own, and T plan on keeping it until I turn in my med ical or someone makes a King Air available to me that just needs to be flown from time to time. good fortune to never endure much I'm sure when (hat day comes. however. unscheduled maintenance. The turbos just keep motoring on. with recurring ADs calling for a 2oo-hour inspection of the diffuser sc roll and a fluid line change every five years. The older Hartzell props require inspection of the blade clamps and blade shanks every the moon will be blue, the national budget will be balanced and we'll be Sharing the sky with flying pigs. _<:cwww.bononza.org> _ Jeff Mo;r is Q 5,()()()'hou( helicopter pilot for the Los Angeles Fire Deporlmenl wilh Commercial MEl SEt HELl: CFI SEL. HELl: A&P/IA. He has been an ABS member for more than 20 years. _. age 8252 Oil problem Dennis Valade Chesterton, Indiana Q:I made the remark to my mechanic that my engine uses about In to 3/4 of a quart in 50 hours, if I use only II quarts of oil. At 25 hours, where I normally change my oil, it doesn't use any or very little at best. If I fi ll it with 12 quarts it will go thru a quart in 25 hours. My engine has about 225 hours since rebuild and appears to be running just fine. The mechanic said the engine should burn a quart in 12 hours and that I might be doing damage to my engine. What kind of damage and should I be concerned? A: I agree with your mechanic. I prefer it to use a quart in IO ta 15 hours. The oil level isn't a factor because that oil is going out the breather when you have it full to 12, so it confuses what your consumption rate is. Lack of some consumption means there is not much upper lube in the cylinder. There's not much you can do about that. Just monitor for any changes. Single yoke overhaul Greer Craig EI Paso, Texas Q: Can you suggest a good shop to overhauVrefurbish the (single) yoke on my 1970 V35B? A: Air Mech (580-431-2333) does rework. Hydraulic lock Ronold Car/son Ventura, California Q: I am concerned about a possible hydraulic lock while starting my Baron IO-470L. I cranked the cold engine several revolutions and the prop came to a sudden stop after releasing the starter. (I think after release!) The next attempt produced a kickback of about one revo- lution. It started fine the next try and has run well since. I have never seen this engine kick back on startup before. I used my normal technique, priming sparingly before engaging the starter. It is possible I released the starter early (shower of sparks S200 Bendix mags) and brought the advanced points into play that could cause the kickback. I don't believe it is possible that excessive fuel was introduced into the cyl inder. But can enough oil leak into the lower canted cylinders to produce a hydraulic lock? Should I be concerned? I can say you should carefully look at POH data on an E into those strips. It can be done most of the time, but there will be days when you'll be right on the edge. The difference in weight from a B to C, D and E does affect field length needed. After-market air conditioner A.J. Murray Washington. D.C. Q: I have a 1995 B36TC that I have decided to sell. A potential buyer wants air conditioning. Where can I find an after-market provider to add that to my Bonanza? A: Nonnally, we don't see enough oil A: Keith Products (972-407- 1234). to hydraulic lock the I0-470L. Both the kickback and the stopped prop could be related to the mag firing before top dead center. Check the P leads to the primary points that should be grounded out in the start pos ition . You can check it with the battery off but may want to disconnect the starter lead for safety. Wing bolts/seating Stephen Reynolds Edinburg, Texas Q: How important is it to have the Cleveland brakes wing bolt inspection and what is the expected cost? Also, is it feasible to convert my aircraft seating to club configuration and to extend the aft cargo area like later model aircraft? Forrest Word Son Antonio, Texas A: The wing bolts can cost $1,600 - Q: $2,000 to change. If they've never been changed, it might be a good idea, We believe Beech's five yearS/IS years is excessive, but they should not be left forever or if corroded. Corrosion is what we worry about. I believe the bolts are about $800, As for your other question, I would not try to convert the seating and extend the baggage area. Later serial numbers had the necessary structure under the floor. but I don't believe your early A36 does, My '77 B55 was totaled in a hangar collapse. I am lOOking at a replacement, possibly an E55. I have run across "heavy-duty Cleveland brakes" on some models. I assume these have three pistons rather than two and a different rotor. Just how much more effecti ve are the HD brakes and do they have any pitfalls? I regularly fly into short, unimproved strips 3,000 feet @ 2000 MSL. Also. my TC2019 had larger exhaust pipes than later models with even higher displacement engines. Why the smaller diameter? oise. perfonn- Alber! (Vinnie) Rano ance, what? Worcester; Massachusetts A: Heavy-duty brakes are very effective but must be used carefully. I don't know for sure, but believe noise may be the answer on the diameter of exhaust pipes. Wing bolt tubs Q: I decided to change my wing bolts because I was not comfortable with the ones that were installed since I did not have a complete history or logs for my airplane, Let me explain: I now live in the Philippines and I found a 1962 P35 Bonanza thai was hangared, but it looked liked people had been living in the airplane and it had not been flown for 10 years. I totally rebuilt the airplane including new engine, new radios\lVionics, reworked\new instrument s, new interi- or, new windows. new paint, new fuel cells, tip tanks, etc. I have had the airplane for four years, but I have always wanted to change the wing bolts. They arrived a week before I left for the US for my home leave. I asked my mechanic to change them while I was away so I could fly when I got back. When I retumed, I discovered the front tubs where the bolts insert were badly corroded. Apparently, we all missed the corrosion during the past three annuals since the paint was pretty thick in that area and we never stripped the paint in the past. Is there a limit of corrosion allowed or do they need to be changed with any signs of corrosion? If I need to change them, where can I purchase them? A: Beech tech support will probably want an impression (dentist type) of the fittings to determine if they can be smoothed out or need replacement (3 16-676-3140, option 4 then I) or your area rep is in Australia (61-89-277 24(0). They have sent a tool in the past to refinish the fitting. RH elevator repair Bill Reynolds Lake Mary, Florida Q: I spoke with you about repairs on the RH elevator on an A36. The certified repair station was able to get inside the tail and inspect for any slfuctural incidents. Thankfully, there was not any effect-none whatsoever. All damage occurred on the RH elevator. I want to restore the unit to the absolute best status, preserving the val ue and eliminating any doubt in anyone 's mind that the repairs were per manufactured repairs and parts. (Hopefully, I will never sell !) The certified shop suggested replacing the RH elevator with a new unit vs. resk in/re pair. Would you agree? If so, who has a PIN 33-6 10000-610 Elevator Assy, RH/Complete, Usable code 2? I checked the Raytheon on-line parts website - $7,099' skin thickness tested on my Bonanza? A: John Whimpee at Mobile and Fairhope, Alabama (251 -433-0831 ), or Kalamazoo Aircraft , Kalamazoo, Michigan (6 16-38 1-0790). Texas rigging expert MaHhew Reedy Son Antonio, Texas A: I believe if the repair (reskin) is Q: This is a follow-up to the excelwell-documented, it won't significantly hurt resale. And it should be significantly cheaper. I doubt anyone is stocking the part. You can try Select (800-3 18(010), Avstat (888-287-8283) or Arrell (805-604-0439). Ruddervator fairleads Errol Roberts Gold Beach, Oregon Q: lent art icle in March 2003 by George Wilhelm sen on aircraft rigging. My E33C used to fly straight and true until about a year ago. After a flight to another field, I noticed it turning very strongly to the left. I have the answers to George's checklist of six items, and am now looking for a rigging expert somewhere near me in Texas. Can you recommend a shop for me? A: Are there any inexpensive sources for ruddervator fairleads? Any STCs thai allow replacement by a more durable product? Hammoch Aviation in Ennis, Texas (972-875-4279) or Beaver Air (38 1-376-6664) in Houston. A: The reason they break is the lack Starter rebuild of a flat washer underneath them that keeps them from being tightened down on a rivet head. I don't believe it's shown in the parts book, but it's necessary. I know of no other source. Q: Hinge reinforcement brackets Thilo Eckardt Paris, France Q: We have a crack in the rudder spar in our B36TC. Do you know where I can purchase the Spacecraft Machine Products STC SA4899 M and SA5870NM hinge reinforcement brackets that can be installed lAW AD 93-24-03? A: It's now General Forming Corp (3 10-326-0624). Skin thickness test James Curtis Cookeville, Tennessee Q: Can you suggest a facility near middle Tennessee where I can have the Michael EllJoH Seattle, Washington I need a referral for someone to rebuild the starter in my E225 . A: Wayne Toman (3 16-946-070 I or 800-926-070 I). New key switch Donlel Doss Roanoke. Virginia Q: My mechanic says I need a new key switch for my M35. Where can I purchase it? A: I would do a field approval installation of a new TCM ignition switch, which would make the subpanel switch the only master switch. This is similar 10 the later airplanes and reduces spikes to the avionics. Otherwise. you may be faced with going to salvage yards such as White Industries (800-82 1-7733) or Dodson (800-255-0034). pump Repair of Elgin clock Missing Vx/Vy Dry Burl Corle Burnsville, North Corolina Charlotte, North Carolina Dol/os, Texas Q: Q: Q: Do you have a contact for some- I recently sold my 1979 V35B and the new owner says there are no Vx(Vy speeds in POH . Can you help with these numbers? A: VX is the 50-foot speed in the block under takeoff distance in the performance section. Vy is the speed in the climb performance page. Prebuy mechanic Bob Thorne Park City, Utah Q: I am interested in buying a K35 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri (CGI), about 115 miles south of St. Louis. I would like the name of a mechanic for a prebuy inspection. Could you give me the name and number of a mechanic to do this? A: Midwest Aviation in Paducah, Kentucky, IS a good shop (270-7448686). Tim GarreN Bob Stewart I want to replace a model 212CW dry pump. Is there any reason not to replace this pump? Would it be better to put in a wet pump instead? The plane has a backup system in place. The horizon gauge seems to be lagging. Could this be the pump or instrument? one to repair the eight-day Elgin clock from my 1952 C35? I had a local repair shop look at it and they said it needs a new mainspring and they did not have a source for parts. A: 942-8668) or Jacobs (3 16-267-7406). It could be the pump or instrument or filters. Easiest is to replace your pump wilh a Rapco similar model number. The wet pump would need a field approval from the FAA . Sacramento Sky Ranch has wet pumps. A: Try Air Capital Instruments (3 16Nose gear indicator Dennis Campbell Lynnwood, Washington Q: Transcal alt. encoder What is a good source for a replacement nose gear indicator for the P35? Beech seems a bit expensive. Larry Bush Ft. Walton Beach. Florida A: You could try salvage yards. White Q: I am trying to locate a Transcal (800-82 1-7733), Dodson (800-2550034), Crossroads (972-239-0263), Select Air Parts (800-3 18-00 10), Avstat (888-287-8283) and Arrell (805-6040439) sometimes have new surplus parts. D 120P altitude encoder for a '77 A36. Can you offer any suggestions? A: American Avionics (800-5 153550) for S585. Nose wheel shimmy Texas mechanic Upgrade of North Star Loran Anthony Over/and Park, Kansas Dan Ger/ey Pismo Beach, Cafifornio Q: Q: Where can I have my North Star ~ Tony"AJotto I am relocating to College Station, Texas. Can you recommend a mechanic either in College Station or Bryan, Texas, or nearby? I have an annual due on my ai rcraft after I move. A: Gary Hammock at Hammock Aviation in Ennis, Texas (972-875-427). Standby vacuum & alt Danny Miller Guffporl, Mississippi Q: How can I get a standby vacuum and alternator on my plane without hanging anything on the firewall or cowling? A: Tempest now makes dual vacuum pumps for one drive pad. Aero Accessories (336-449-5054) and B&C (3 16-283-8000) make a stand by alternator that is good and is used on the new 36s. Page 8255 Loran-M- I upgraded? I am just not ready to give it up. A: Radio Ranch (815-622-9000) can still get them. Clock repair John F. Durbin Hilton Head Island , South Carolina Q: The clock assembly on my yoke will no longer wind. 1 suspect the main spring has become disconnected from the barrel or is broken. The clock is a Mathey-Tissot Type 2, 17-jewel movement built in April 1969. I would like to find a clock repairer who can repair it rather than replace it with an electric clock built in Taiwan. Do you know of someone who can help me? Aaron Appel Edgewood, New Mexico Q: How can I isolate a nose wheel sh immy/vibration problem? Could an out-of-bal ance wheel be the cause? A: It could, but more than likely the Shimmy dampener real ly isn't full or the nose wheel is loose. Check those things first. Most people don't get the center shaft full of fluid. 275 electric prop repair Steve Alderman Boulder, Colorado Q: Who works on the 215 electric prop these days? I called Maxwell but they have quit. Thunderbird wanted me to send it. One prop shop here in Colorado said my 89-inch blades were 1/ 10 inch undersize at the tips. I have flown those blades for 10 years-and he said he couldn't touch it! Any help? A: I believe Air Capital Instruments A: (3 16-942-8668) can help <www.bonanza .org> Aero Propeller (909-765-3 178) and Ottosen Propeller (602-275-85 14) should be OK sources. ASS Fe b rua ry 2004 BDS exhaust silencers Robert Lefton Plano. Texas Q: When I purchased my 1986 A36 about a year ago, it had previously been modified with Beryl D'Shannon exhaust silencers. I have now been informed they are falling apan from the inside. What is your experience with these si lencers? Should I repair them or replace with the standard exhaust system? Can you recommend someone in the Dallas area to do this work? A: r don't know that anyone can do repairs on D'S hannon silencers. Aerospace Welding (800-597-43 15) and Dawley (262-763-3113) can possibly make up new stacks. E225 operating info William Lynch Clyde. New York Q: My aircraft has been upgraded to an E225 engine. The POH shows E 185 and associated operat ing information. What is the best procedure for obtaining operating information on an E225. Purchase a POH for a later model? Is there a source for the engine only? A: The later airplane POH is the best way. One problem is that even though the type cenificate shows eligibiliry of the engine, without an STC giving new limits or a POH supplement for new limits, the legal limits remain those that are in your original POH or, for example, 185 hp for takeoff. The later POH would be reference-only fo r cruise setting and endurance. Your legal POH stays the one for a '5 1 C35 . 10-520 engines on 58P Robert Braunstein Seafffe, Washington Q: I'm considering the purchase of a 1977 5SP with turbocharged 10-520s. My friend tells me these engines will need to be topped long before reaching TBO. What is the general experience with this engine model? If well-maintained, is this airplane a money pit? ABS February 2004 A: 58Ps are life-limited to 10,000 hours. In addition, between the complex engines and systems, it can be expensive to maintain. Just things like the prop de-ice can easily cost $2,000 over two years. Pressurization can add up and turbochargers cost at least about a third more than non-turbo. But if you need it, then it may be wonh it. OKC engine overhauler Dan Meester Longmont. Colorado Q: Can you recommend an engine overhauler in the OKC-Tulsa area for an 10-470? Also, can you recommend an lA for a prebuy inspection? A: Power Master (800-395-9857) and Monty Barrett (918-835- 1089) are good-both in Tulsa. Tulsair has been good, but annuals only, I believe. Hammock in Ennis. Texas, does prebuys (972-875-4279). Seat belt grommets Dan McConnell Duluth, Georglo Q: I have been unable to locate seat belt grommets for the shoulder harness post on the lap buckle. The only suggestion has been to use heat shrink as a substitute. Can you suggest any suppl iers I can contact? A: J would use standard O-rings of the appropriate size. Rebuilding Bonanza steps William Canovon Santo Rosa, California Q: At AirVenture 2003, I met a man who had an ad on the bulletin board in your tent for rebuilding Bonanza steps. I have since lost the little scrap paper with his name and number. I remember he was from Oklahoma. Do you have this person 's contact numbers or any others doing this work? A: That would be Kevin O'Halioran (580-832-3803). <www.bonanza .org> Southeast US paint shop Richard S. Moore Daytona Beach. Florida Q: I am planning to have my 1975 B55 painted. Could you recommend a shop in the Southeast US or elsewhere that will do a first-class job? A: Ask Gary Seibert at Island Aviation, Fernadina Beach, Florida (904-26 1-3730) for a recommendation or call Byerly Aviation (309-6976300). Cargo web strap Ken Hutchinson Son Diego. California Q: I need a new cargo web strap for the rear cargo compartment behind the rear seats. Do you know where I can obtain a new one or do you know of anyone who makes them? The metal brackets are OK but I need the nylon webbing. A: Many of the seat belt rewebbers can do it . Try Safety Ltd. (630-5849366) or Beltmaster (541-488-1555). Door locks R. Michael Reid Springfield, Missouri Q: Aviation Research will not have door locks until sometime later this year. Have you found a web address or phone number for Medco? A: Can't find Medco. Plane Lock (6 14-879-411 I) or <www.Protectaplane .com> may be of help. Fuel selector valve sticking Thomas Northup Manhattan Beach, California Q: My fuel selector valve is sticking but only occasionally, and when turning from right tank back to left tank. AD 53-0 I has been complied with some time ago. Can this be lubricated? A: Yes, fuel lube works. It's available from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty (877-477-7823). Sure wonh looking at. Cruise Aire in Ramona (760-789-8020) is a good shop to look at it. Page 8256 Cause of lost fuel Todd Roffes Flagstaff. Arizona Q: I am currently losing 8-10 gals of fuel from RH fuel tank through the fuel vent during night if T have topped off the tank prior to takeoff. Additionally, once I have landed, the tank continues to vent heavily, like a faucet, until T remove the fuel cap. It also appears that the bladder has contracted when I open the cap, but releasing the pressure stops all fuel nowing from the vent and the bladder returns to normal. Advise as to the cause of this fuel venting and corrective action required. and the vent should provide positive pressure in the tank. Also, make sure your cap seals are good, both outer and the shaft. A: If the scarf on the vent is correct Neil Pobanz.. ABS technical consultant. is a retired U. $. Army civilian pilot and maintenance manager. Neil has been an A&P and L4 for 45 years. (example shown in shop manual), I would then suspect the one-way checkvalve at the outer end of the tanle It really sounds like neither is correct. The check-valve should stop outward now, TECH PREPURCHASE CHECKLIST: This new checklist is now available from ABS headquarters (3 16-945-1700) and, as President Hastings notes in his column, on the ABS website. It will allow you to do a history review of an airplane through logs, NTSB files and FAA files. Even though a knowledgeable mechanic can repair our airplanes using components from salvage yards, we question the compatibility of some parts being used from model matches that may not be correct. PRESSURE CARB MODELS: If you have verified your mag switch is functioning by turning off at idle and back on, then shut down with the mixture control and, after the engine stops, return it to full rich for storage. This prevents the diaphragms from taking a set. B95A FUEL INJECTION CONVERSION: The ABS Technical Library has documentation to convert the B95A's unsupported Simmonds Fuel injection system to the Bendix type, for which parts are more commonly available. Contact ABS HQ (3 16-945-1 700) or <[email protected]> if you want copies of the paperwork with which to pursue your own FAA approval. 58P WET WING OUTBOARD FUEL CELL: Beech tech support guided us to a shop manual procedure to add access holes. Two shops that do wet wing are NAAS, Scott or Mike (2 10805-0049) and Texas Wings Aerospace (8 17 -625-8512). BOOT REPAIR: We have had good reports on de-icer boot repair by folks in Oklahoma City <www. BootsEdge.com>. Glen My' Foulk wtJose business is Delta SITuI. has been an ABS assistant technical consultant since 1986. NOTES TCM FUEL I JECTION MANIFOLD DISTRIBUTOR VALVE ORAl S: For some time our ABS tech staff has felt that drain hoses added to the vent on the valve were not supposed to be there. If you are old enough, you remember when there wasn't even a fitting in the vent port, you could tell when the diaphragm had a puncture as you started getting fuel stains. Somebody felt that was a hazard and started putting the drain line on. ow you don't know when the diaphragm is leak ing, creating an additional hazard. We are aware of some being tee'd into the induction manifold drain where the sni ffer valve can stick and apply a vacuum to the distributor valve. Also we have had the drain line melt closed and prevent it from venting, which inhibits operation. We have asked Beech to look into this problem . We'd like to hear of any difficulties either way. It should be a neutral pressure similar to upper deck pressure. CONTROL SURFACE RESKlN: It helps to go to a vendor who does a lot of them and has jigs. We have heard of people who purchased new skins, but ended up with twisted controls. We are still hearing of mud daubers and wasp nests in the controls. It would be enough to adversely affect balance. ALTERNATOR REPAIR: We have reports that B&S and Kell y are no longer in alternator repair in Wichita. Those that still do are Aircraft Systems (8 15-399-0225), EMT (800-8514392), Aircraft Accessories of Oklahoma (800-255-9924) and Wayne Toman (3 16-946-0701 ). -@- ABS welc o mes t he following m e mbers to the growi ng list of ABS Life Me mbers. Major Todd Canterbury of Las Vegas. Nevada Jon Luy of Sutter Creek. California Page 8257 <www.bonanza .org> ABS Febru ary 2004 GUEST EDITORIAL BY RANDY GROOM PRESIDENT /G.M" BEECHCRAFT DIVISION. WICHITA. KANSAS M any American Bonanza ruggedness that translates into safety and Society members a!tended security. The most stable single-engine the Bonanza "homecoming" piston aircraft around. And as the longest at the Raytheon Aircraft continually produced aircraft in the world, facility in 2002 during the company 's 70th it holds a special place in aviation history. anniversary. Nearly 300 Bonanzas returned I understand I'm preaching to the to their place of binh, and their owners choir. The American Bonanza Society is were treated to factory tours and a dinner pan of the Bonanza's keel. The ABS with Bob Horowitz, who was then presiMagazine is a great technical resource for dent of the Beechcraft Division. Bonanza owners. Along with knowledgeI'm experiencing a similar homecomable columnists, passionate owners offer ing as the new president and general mantheir Bonanza stories, sharing information, ager of the Beechcraft Division upon Bob's giving suppon and an occasional criticism. retirement. I am a former Beechcrafter - in All in all, a very healthy exchange that fact, I worked here in the 1980s when Olive gives life to a product line 55 years old. Ann Beech was still at So what's in store for the company. It was in Borh rhe Bonanza and rhe Baron the Beechcraft pi ston that era that I gained a are crirical to 0111' long-rerm line of Bonanzas and tremendous respect for plans ... We plan to continllollsly Barons? Both aircraft the Beechcraft cu lture are critical to our longof quality, pride and improve them as we'l'e done ternl plans. They reprecommitment to the cus- over rhe years. sent pilots' entry into tomer. Most recently I the Beechcraft line, and if owners want to move up, they have the was senior vice president at Piedmont King Air and Premier I. So we plan to Hawthorne Aviation, where I spent the last continually improve these two products as 17 years in sales, maintenance and chaner we've done over the years. You'll be hearareas. I am also the proud owner of an A36. ing more as we finaLize our plans. Everyone has a Bonanza "love affair" I want to let you know that our compastory. Mine began in childhood, flying in ny is refocused on the original values my father's Bonanzas. He owned a G35, espoused by our founders. The quality of followed by an N35, and both were pan of our aircraft rolling off the production line is our lifestyle. We traveled everywhere, and excellent. Our Customer Service Division as a young boy I had the opponunity to has made significant improvements in experience general aviation firsthand. capability and responsiveness. And our These lessons have stayed with me forever. dedicated employees are understandably Today I fly an A36 (N6755X) for both proud of what they are accompLishing. My business and pleasure. othing puts a grin experience as a Beechcraft owner, operator on my face faster than climbing into my and sales leader will help me funher guide Bonanza. Our family thinks nothing of our corporate strategy to be one that is hopping in our Bonanza and going to the totally focused on meeting Bonanza and Bahamas, or around the patch on a beautiful Baron owners' needs. Sunday afternoon. I also have had the good I would appreciate hearing from you fonune of flying all of the Beech prodhow we at the Beechcraft Division can ucts ... the Baron 58 and all of the King Airs. better serve our loyal American Bonanza I have delivered two Bonanzas to Brazil, Society customers. flying over the Caribbean and Amazon. The Bonanza has an enduring appeale·mail <Rgroom. [email protected]> unbeatable flight characteristics, and a ABS February 2004 <www.bonanza .org> Page 8258 HOW FORTUNATE WE ARE TO HAVE THE MEMORIES Of SOME KEY PLAYERS IN THE CREATION OF OUR EARLY BEECHCRAFT MODELS. HERE, 50 YEARS LATER. IS A STORY ABOUT THE TRAVEL AIR. WHICH WAS INITIALLY TO BE NAMED THE BADGER. THE NAME WAS CHANGED AT THE REQ!)EST OF THE MILITARY BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A POTENTIAL MIX UP WITH THE MILITARY NAME OF A RUSSIAN BOMBER. -EDITOR BY RICHARD ETHERINGTON, WICHITA, KANSAS N JUNE I, 1952, r was one of four graduates at the University of Kansas with degrees in aeronautical engineering. I was married on June 5 and reported for work at Beech Aircraft Company on June 10, where I had no idea what an engineer would do. Like all new employees, I was assigned to the DCN (drawing change notice) incorporation group. The DCN was a small notice anached to a production drawing that corrected an error or design deficiency. New engineers were assigned to revise the original drawings as shown on the DC . After about a month, J was reassigned to the power plant group to do actual design work. I was at a loss to know what I was supposed to do as I had little if any class work on power plant design. I must have learned fairly quickly, as by 1954. I was assigned to the preliminary design group as the power plant designer. At that time. Beech was producing the Model 18, a twinengine multi-passenger airplane used by businesses as a corporate aircraft: the V-tail Bonanza, a newly developed (post-war) four-place personal aircraft; and the Twin Bonanza. The Twin Bonanza was developed by splitting the fourplace Bonanza down the middle and inserting a flat section that would accommodate two additional people to make a sixplace aircraft-three in front and three in back. Beech was 'also producing the T-34, a military version of the Bonanza. The T-34 had a modified fuselage with two-place tandem seating. canopy access and a conventional tail assembly. and the target for the new twin was expected to be 3,800 to 4,()()() pounds. T HE WING AREA WAS INCREASED by tip extensions. The added span would help improve the single-engine climb with one engine stopped. The study produced rough drawings of how the changes were to be made, perfonnance estimates, tooling costs and production cost estimates for putting the changes into production. The results of the study were presented to Beech management, as the aircraft appeared to be competitive with the known competition. After much discussion, Jack Gaty, vice president of operations and the VP to whom engineering reported, announced that he was taking a three-week vacation and that he wanted a prototype of the twin produced for evaluation. He wanted the aircraft flying in six weeks. He did give us penn iss ion to use any assemblies from current production that we needed by just AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION , JACK GATY, VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS AND THE VP TO WHOM ENGINEERING REPORTED, ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS TAKING A THREEWEEK VACATION AND THAT HE WANTED A PROTOTYPE OF THE TWIN PRODUCED FOR EVALUATION. HE WANTED THE AI RCRAFT FLYING IN SIX WEEKS. There was linle competition for the Bonanza. The North American Navion was slower and had a rather difficult canopy type entry. The Model 18 was in a class by itself and the Twin Bonanza was compet ing with a cabin twin by Aero Commander, which had a more conventional cabin arrangement and was slightly faster. Cessna was starting production of their twin (the Model 310) and Piper was already producing a four-place light twin called the Apache. The Apache, considered to be slow and cumbersome, was selling well as it was considerably cheaper than the Twin Bonanza and the Aero Commander. The Cessna 310 was faster than the Apache at considerable increase in cost. Since this appeared to be a new market area, Beech was interested in putting a new airplane in it. The preliminary design group was tasked to propose a four-place twin that used the basic cabin size of the Model 35. The PD design group consisted of Leroy Clay, the project leader; Roy Hodges, the wing structure designer and me for the power plant design. The primary tasks consisted of: I. Redesigning the nose of the Bonanza to eliminate the engine installation. 2. Designing the nacelle and engine installation on the wing. 3. Beefin g up the wing for the weight of the nacelles. 4. Adding wing area to keep the stall speed down, as the added weight of the two engines would require the gross weight of the basic Bonanza to increase. The gross weight of the Bonanza at that time was 2,900 pounds ABS February 2004 going out on the production line and telling the appropriate person to deliver the selected hardware to experimental. The Bonanza was being produced at Plant 2. We immediately descended on John Allen, the factory manager of Plant 2, to select a fuse lage and wing to be used in the project. We prevailed on John to install the spar beef-ups in the wing before delivering it to experimental. The drawings that had been made for the engine installation and the nacelle were all done in one-quarter scale, as that was the size of the engine drawing supplied for the study by Lycoming, the engine manufacturer. It was necessary to add details to the drawings and release them immediately. The shop then blew up these drawings to full scale so they could make the parts. Since there was not time to have real lofts made for the nose and the nacelles, we lofted the contours in preliminary design at one-quarter scale and these were also blown lip to full size for the shop. eedless to say, the lines on the sketches were not very accurate since they now were four times the size they were on the drawings and the experimental shop had to guess a lot in building the parts. We spent a lot of time in the experimental shop hand-waving changes and explaining the crude drawings to the shop. Electrical and engine controls were installed by verbal description, with the engineers standing by to resolve problems. There was no thrott le quadrant. Mounted on the sub panel were two sets of Bonanza-type thronle and propeller controls. No mixture controls were provided. The empennage was the easiest task , as we had selected the horizontal and venical tail of the T-34 for the twin. It was <www.bononza .org> Page 8260 a simple matter to pick these up complete from the production line. The control cables were resized to go directly to the rudder and elevator rather than to the V-tail mixer of the Bonanza. , AJHEN THE ENGINES WERE INSTALLED, we discovVV ered that the prototype engine drawing supplied by Lycoming was in error. The spark plugs installed in the top of the cylinder heads were of an old style and were one inch shoner than the ones planned for the production engines. Since the lofts had been based on the engine drawings, the nacelle doors would not close over the spark plugs. Simply put, the prototype engine had shon spark plugs; the production engine had long spark plugs. To resolve this problem. they cut a slot in the nacelle doors to accommodate the longer plugs, which added a bump. Not pretty, but it solved the problem. Upon Mr. Gaty's retum, he was taken to experimental to see the aircraft. He really did not expect to see what had already been accomplished. The aircraft was sitting on its wheels with the new nose installed, the nacelle structure installed on the wing and the tail assembly in place. Two weeks later, the aircraft was moved to the paint shop. Then the flight, so he had to land to get it restaned. A propeller unfeathering accumulator was added to solve that problem. For some reason, during the assembly of the aircraft, it was decided that siphon relief valves were not required in the fuel tank vent lines. But one night after the aircraft had been parked in the hangar, the right-hand fuel tank emptied 30 gallons of lOO-octane gasoline onto the hangar floor. The next morning, the fire marshal was waiting for the experimental shop foreman to explain the error of the design. Siphon vents were added immediately. The prototype was considered a success and the aircraft approved for product ion design. A new design team was formed to do the production design and cenification. The first flight of the production airplane was in August of 1956 and deliveries began in June of 1957. Except for the Musketeer, this was the most intensive program that I was involved with during my career as a Beech engineer. I worked for Beech through June of 1967. Much of that time was spent in the preliminary design group where I worked on many proposals. I contributed to the design of power plant installations on the later versions of the Bonanza, THE PROTOTYPE WAS CONSIDERED A SUCCESS AND THE AIRCRAFT APPROVED FOR PRODUCTION DESIGN. A NEW DESIGN TEAM WAS FORMED TO DO THE PRODUCTION DESIGN AND CERTIFICATION . THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE PRODUCTION AIRPLANE WAS IN AUGUST OF 1956 AND DELIVERIES BEGAN IN JUNE OF 1957. interior was installed and its first flight occurred, all within the prescribed six weeks! Flight testing was fairly successful; proving out the performance was as expected. A few changes were required as the result of the flight program. One major modification was to change the cooling system for the engines from an "augmenter" system to that of the more conventional cowl flap. The Twin Bonanza had used the augmenter system of cooling quite effectively. This system consisted of a long rube that the exhaust pipe dumped into at the firewall. The exhaust gases then pumped cooling air through the engine and actually added thrust out the back of the augmenter. Unfortunately, it also significantly increased the amount of noise. The system worked well on the new twin, but tests showed an increase in cabin noise of about 6 db with the augmenter over a conventional cow l flap. The augmenter had produced a gain of about six miles an hour in cruise speed, but that gain was not thought to be worth the considerable amount of added noise. Two other minor changes were necessary. During the flight demonstration for the plant employees, Steve Tuttle, the experimental test pilot, did a single-engine demonstration shutting down one engine. But the engine would not restart in Page 8261 the turbine engines for the Queen Air and led the design team that proposed the Musketeer. J worked in the Missi le division in their preliminary design and was project engineer on the SAM-D missi le proposal. I left Beech and fin ished my career at Learjet, where J led their preliminary design group for about 27 years. J also served as project engineer on the Lear Model 35, director of technical engineering and director of program management. My flying experience started while I was in college. I worked summers as an apprentice mechanic at Fairfax Airport in Kansas City, Kansas. I earned my pilots license in 1950 and purchased a Luscombe 8A that I flew until J graduated from college. I was checked out in the Beech transportation pool in the Bonanza, Musketeer and Baron. For about 15 years after I left Beech. I didn't fly because I couldn't afford it at the time. Then I purchased a Cherokee 140. In 1988, I donated the Cherokee to my kids and purchased a 1972 Bonanza (V35B) that I have been flying ever since. I now have more than 1600 night hours with over 800 of them in the Bonanza. -@- <www.bonanza.org> ABS February 2004 , REPRINTED FROM THE DECEMBER 1957 BEECHCRAFTER , New Travel Air Business Plane Makes Formal Debut AIII('rir[l'~ lIeweSI fou r-plate, twill-engille bU li in cbs plane-the Brrl:llcrafl Travel Air for 1958-wui:> fOflllally imfoci ured durillf! Beech !\jn' rar, \ tlrlllllHI Inrcrnalional Sulrs \Iecfin,!!_ DCbigncd 10 fill n prier gap Iwtwcrn the popular biu gle -c ngi nr Ilccchcraft Bonanza fi nd thr bi\:-place Ikeehl'filft T\\ ill -Bonanza . •he Ilew rrul!!C o( mort' Ihun IAOO mib all Tnwcl .\if (\lode! 93l) i~ the fourth 112 gallons of (Ut~1. hlllctional IIlnil1nddilioll to Ihr rompan~ '., h'TOwinp; lenan('(' <lnd iJl'''prdion (acililie~ . commerciullinf'. affording ea:.y lIc('r~ to engine and Powered h~ IWO 180 hp Lycoming a('ce~.:.Ori es. landiut! geM and other 0-360- \ 1 \ t·ll2'Ulf'~. dll' Tra"f'1 \ir umall.. Llons. also ('oIllTibutf' to ib 10\\ ha!! u high :-I)('(:d of :208 mpll and 11 operating eo:>l. crlli s ill ~ ~ pecd of :200 mph. The powSllpcr-sou' ldp roo~ng, ('xlltlu~I illUcrplfuu '!{'Iccted for the Tffi'd \il' h lh rnrl'':; and a 5pctilll e..\.halhl "y.,tcm. die hiJ!h ~1 hON'PO\\'{,f raling of any rouplrd \\;1.h ~ hoc k -(tb-.o rbin~ dynafOIU"-r\linJcr aircraf, CII!!i lll.' ('!Irrent(oc;11 cngine IIlOUllb which ('Ill ,·ibmly pl'o(III('('d ill tlw l nitcd SHlIf'". tion 10 a bare miuimulIl. 1113kc' the The TraHI \ir'" !!f{h' wei!!hl o( Tmn·1 ,\ir tlu.' tiIUClf"1 twin-enginf" poullcl... alld d~an :H'f04'l;-uamairplanc on the marke1. In-fiighl ic dC'"i1!11 prO\ ide cXC'Cpliollal ni~IH cahi ll noi;,e len'l i~ uCl'unlh Ir ..;:, than :itllhilit y under fill open.lling' C'Omlilhm in au automohi lc travcling I.lI 60 lion.,. \\,ith a 1I~{,(1I1 load o( l.-rlO milr.5 an how'. pOllnd~. it mil dimb <II the mlr o( Ollt.,l[lndi"~ .,ingl<'-tllgiuf per1..'330 ({'rt p('r minute. Full~' loaded, fonnanrc gi"c~ the Travel \ir tlllC_Xits &t'n'i('C' ceiJjll~ i:. 19.:300 feet. rellcd dependa.hiHty. Opf'r1lting on Charal"tcli/cd b~ economy of operollh OIiC of if5 1"0 (,Ilcines. the \lodc:l noon, Ih(' \lodd C)5 ha.:. a nO'hll0l' 93 ·1.:1111 climb lit the ~mc of 225 (eel pCI' minute and fully io.'ltlt'd i( can f"<l... ily mainlain Oip:ht l.Iitil"rlb fu high :.I':' 8.000 ((,(,I. Tlw Tnl\'cI Air'.. ,11In.h lric\Tle lantiiog gear incurponuc, a·l'>\\'in·iing "t('('ruble nO"(' whr('1 equipped \\ith ..himmy dalul>Cllfr. Beedll'fl1(1 nir-oil ioDllt.:, on all wheel:. facilitate ::-1ll00UI blXiiJlg and cnable Ihe plant to withMaJId ,hocb crented b~ ItUldi"~ \\;I.h a wnit al de5-Celll {'Omponent of o,·cr 600 feel per mUlUlf. E\'fI'Y lllajor stfll(,lUral part and cOlnl-'oll(,llt o( tht 1938 Trmt'l \ir hn:. AN OUTSTANDING feature of all IX'Cll {c'-tcd 10 I'Itll'll!..'l.h~ at if'tbt 39 Beechcrafts, Travel Air's advanced prl'cC'llt aho\(' (:,\ \ 1'l''1uiff'IllCnb .. design provides unexcelled vislbility. making the .\lodf'l Q.) Ihe I'lO'-l rugc.(Tf'{1 -t.ooo bu .. ill(,~:> airplane UI its tla~ s. IL rmbodi('" dt-;:,ign criteria, COII!:.Ollctioll and ('(),npOllfllt.:, o( U1C sel'\'itt-prO\ c<1 Hceriwmfl BoUaJ1Zll. Twin-Bonanzu. ~lodf'l 18 and T-34 militarv Il·aincl'. Di!ttinrliH ,t~ling and lux-uno,,:. inu·rior lIppoinuncllb rene<'1 lk't.'cheraf,' . . lime-honored tradition o( combining flUlctional Lcaul~ and NmIon \\ ilh ~ upcrior p('rformanC'f': and dfjdenc), in the dC!tign o( top quality (ollunercial aircraft. productb. Other mojor fea tu res of the Srechcraft Tr(nel Air for 1958 include: (I) Feather-touch IDght colltroboUbuu lding hanclling qualities pro,idr I\\'in -engine opcration with ~ingl c- ('ngin(' Ci6C, (:2) ""0 lar~e OOmpal'llllcllt.:,-1l toud 0(29.5 cubir (CCt (Jf b torn~(' ,~rCIJ allo\\ in~ ample room (01' [til mdio e<Juirn~ent 1111e1 bagtzage. (3) IClc('l,icnll~'·openlled co.'1nops· no othcr "light twin" airplllJ1(' offcrb uli. . ('xd u~h·t (catun:' for quick. jl1'.I3111. (ollwl O\'('r ,ita! engine tclll(X'nttures. ACCESSIBILITY of engine instaUation permits easy. \fJCIlk<x"OUnd maintenance. (1) Ex<~I1<", ,hO>1 field capab'lity· fill'" looded. dlC Tro\(;1Mean ' clear brru~llld" in a lakro(( dbtrul(,(, o( ouly &;0 feet. Firsl nown iu .\ ugU:>l 19.56 aJld CAA~cenj~('ated ill June 19.57. dIe new &'eChrrafi Tra,'cI Air is now ill (ull-scale produclion. Lnitial unib were delivered 10 members of Beccllcrn ft':, worldwide di ~ t/'ibUlor dealer orgnni7AlIion at lhe mnrlu"ion o( Ul(' anllual 531('.:; nl('('ling. TRAVel AIR PQWERPLANTS, two 180 hp Lycomings, hove the highest horsepower rating of any four-cylinder aircraft engine currentty produced in the United States. The new plane also Is the qUietest twin-engine model on the business market. BEECHCRAFT TRAVEL AIR. America's newest four-place, twin-englne executive plane now in lull-scale production, offers a new concept i 5J - t. ."CH.CIAFTE fully from overhead Bakersfield to my home base in Van Nuys, California. Flying is aU about managing risks and in my opinion. the Travel Air, properly flown. is a very safe airplane. POINTS TO PONDER FRIENDS WITH A TRAVEL AIR BY SVEN LARSON. NORTHRIDGE. CALIFORNIA onsider this scenario: Responding to a classified ad in the Los Angeles Times (of all things), you buy an airplane from a IOtal st ranger who becomes yo ur friend. After four years of ownership and nearly 500 Ilying hours, he is now one of your best friends. How many airplanes can bring you that kind of satisfaction? The Beechcraft Travel Air is certainly one of the few that will. I purchased my 1961 Travel Air (TD-488), a B95A, from Dave Kahn in December of 1990. This was my first plunge into sole ownership, having come from several hundred hours of flying a B55 that I shared financially with my dad. My reasons for choosing a Travel Air were simple: I wanted the same comfort. handling and quality of the Baron and needed a second motor to keep my wife comfortable with flying the family. I thought the Travel Air 's operating economy made sense for a first-timer, since my flying is for pleasure and I couldn 't use the airplane with Uncle Sam's participation. The Travel Air is a lot of fun to fly with the traditional, outstanding handling qualities that Beech is so wellknown for. It is somewhat lighter on the Page 8263 controls than the Baron, particularly the ailerons, and is a very easy airplane to make squeaky landings with. Fuel consumption runs about 18- 19 gph, truing out at 158 knots (full throttle, 2400 rpm at 10,000 feet). One thing that always puzzled me about this particular Travel Air is that I could never get the cruise speeds to match "the book"-it was always about seven knots shy. I could not find a nything wrong with the airplane, so I concluded the POH was just a bit optimistic! I think Beech pushed real hard to reach the advertised, magic 200mph cruise speed figure (75 percent power at 7,500 feet). In retrospect, what I appreciated most about the Travef Air was its quiet cabin compared to the Baron. With its lower cruise speed and outboard exhaust stacks, it has quite comfortable interior sound levels for a generalaviation airplane. Some criticize the Travel Air for "anemic single-engine climb," and it is certainly true that the Baron is more capable on one engine if one mill gives you the "silent treatment" after takeoff. However, the day I experienced an engine problem, I had no trouble maintaining 7,500 feet and flying unevent<www.bonanza.org> There are a few things to watch for if you're considering a Travel Air. First, the Hartzell steel hub propellers are subject to the five-year recurring AD, which is costly but can be elim inated with new Hartzell props. Like pre-I 974 Barons, it has electric cowl flap motors that will cause some financial pain when they stop working. Also, the 1961 /62 B95A models, first of the fuel-injected Travel Airs, used Simmonds fuel-injection systems, which have little support today. There are one or two companies in the country that can overhaul Simmonds components, but at a cost much more expensive than the D95A's widely-supported Bendix injection. I probably would not have bought my 95A from Dave Kahn had he nOl conve rted it to Bendix injection. When in the pilot seat of my 95A, I felt a bit snug against the sidewaU---ood since the interior dimensions are the same as the Baron. The reason is that on older Beechcrafts the seat tracks were placed further outboard, and there is no inset in the sidewall above the armrest. I am a 6·foot, J70-pounder and you'd be surprised what a difference those subtle changes make. The later Model D95As have the more comfortable configuration. Overall, I found the maintenance cost of the Travel Air to be much the same as the Baron. With so much commonality in design, that is to be expected. The landing gear, flaps, lanitrol heater. fuel and flight control systems are all more or less the same. Parts support is excellent with the exception of the Simmonds injection and the cowl flap actuators. Cowling removal is one task that is much more time-consuming on the Travel Air-it is a real chore. Plus the cowl ing nose bugs are made of fiberABS February 2004 gla s and don't hold up as well as the aluminum used on the Baron. The only recurring maintenance problem I had was cracking of the generator brackets. The 40-amp generators are quite heavy and the case-mounted bracket (a Lycoming part) was not up to the task. However, the Lycoming 10360s are quite a bit less expensive to run than the Baron's Continentals, and you'll have significant ly lower hourly operating reserves for engine overhaul. TBO is 2,000 hours, 500 hours more than an 10-470-equipped Baron and 300 hour more than an 10-520 model. If I were looking for a Travel Air today, I would seek out a D95A or one of the few E95As Beech built. I would look for one with the optional 50-amp alternalors and the large cargo door, items I really missed coming from the B55. if you can find one with these options (TD-638 and after), you wi ll also benefit from the improved cabin vent system, which is much quieter than the previous design. I would stay away from the Rayjay turbocharged Travel Airs because support is questionable and engine maintenance will be much higher. If you need a turbocharged airplane, the Travel Air is probably not your best choice in a twin. The Travel Air fleet is much smaller than the Barons so prospective buyers must be patient. There are just not many for sale at any given time, and many are high-time ships that were used as multiengine trainers. Low-time, well-maintained Travel Airs take time to find. Why did this happy Travel Air owner sell out after about four years? A Colemill-converted Baron that I was very familiar with came up for sale in the local area. It had a most impressive pedigree and an unmistakable, one-of-akind original paint job in orange, lavender and a little bit of white. Want displaced need-and I decided I just had to have the more exhilarating performance of the Baron. [ bought the Baron and have been flying it ever since. The Travel Air found a new home with a local P@Sician who owns it to this day. ABS February 2004 WHY I LIKED MY TRAVEL AIR BY DAVID KAHN, WEST HILLS. CALIFORNIA y father and I were partners in an H35 and then a 55 for many years. When my dad stopped flying, I couldn't afford to buy him out so we sold the Baron. I still owned a Pitts SIS that I had built. By 1985 I needed more seats for my wife and two kids, so I sold the Pitts and was looking for a Bonanza or Debonair. I soon found out that for same year. same equ ipment and same hours, a Travel Air was S I0,000 cheaper than a Bonanza25,000 for a nice 95 and $35,000 for a similar Bonanza. Since I already had several hundred hours of multi time and really preferred the twin, the decision was a no-brainer. I wasn't afraid of the maintenance costs because I do most of my own work anyway. I had a lot of experience with the 180-hp Lycoming (the same as I had in my Pitts), and consider it one of the best engines ever built. I spoke with Rod Rodriguez, the lead salesman at Beechcraft West, Van Nuys, and he told me that the Travel Air was his favorite Beechcraft ever. He warned me not to buy one with Simmonds fuel injection (a 1961 or 1962 B95A). As luck would have it, the one I liked best was CF-UOC, a Canadian 1961 B95A (TD-488) with only 1200 hours and a new radio stack. This plane was sold new at Beechwest VNY, but did have Simmonds fuel injection. It was a great airplane-about as fast as a Bonanza (185 mph TAS at 18 to 20 gallons per hour); climbing maybe a little better than a Bonanza; quiet, very stable and a good instrument platform. The mechanical fuel pump failed about nine months after the purchase of the plane. 0 one serviced or rebuilt Simmonds parts at that time. Rod was right! I changed the plane over to Bendix fuel-injection , a very major job-and expensive too. But it worked well. My state of mind when flying that plane was that if I lose one engine on takeoff and it is hot or I am heavy, I would treat it like [ was in a Bonanza: Close the throttle on bOlh engines. keep the plane going straight ahead, and pick the best spot I could find. But if I lost an engine at altitude, then I'd have a lot more time and a lot of options. Fortunately, those Lycomings never let me down, so I never had to make that decision. I flew the Travel Air from Van Nuys to Sitka, Alaska, and back. It had lots of range. I think [ had one leg that was nonstop from Ketchikan to Olympia, Washington, that I made in five hours and 15 minutes ... and I still had good fuel reserves. As a side note: There were several Rayjay turbocharged Travel Airs on the market when I was shopping. They were the same price as the naturally aspirated planes. However, everyone of them just had major work done and a lot of money spent on the turbo system . I felt the trouble would not stop when I took over ownerShip. Additionally, a turbocharged Travel Air al 12,000 feet is about the same peed as a Baron, and uses the same amount of fuel to go those speeds. So why not get a Baron if that is what you are looking for? I enjoyed the Travel Air. It did exactly what it was supposed to do, and did it very well. But as my family grew up, we outgrew the B95A and needed a plane that could haul more weight. Tn December 1990, I sold the Travel Air to Sven Larson and bought my C55. Sven and I have remained close friends and Beech fanati cs. <www.bonanza.or9> Page 8264 BY J. HAMILTON WRIGHT. DAPHNE. ALABAMA purchased 9526Y TD-500, a 95A Travel Air, from a dealer in Atlanta in 1970 for the princely sum of $24,000! It had been used for executive transport by pharmaceutical giant Phizer in South America, and had two HF radios with trailing antenna and dual ADFs. Because of the corporate ownership, it was in good shape mechanically. In the 32 years I've owned 26Y, I' ve put about 5,000 hours on it, and it's never had anything approaching an emergency ... knock on wood. It went through Hurricane Frederick in the hangar in Fairhope, Alabama, where Continental now does their engine I Page 8265 installations. The storm reduced this hangar's height by 70 percent. Fortunately (at least for my plane), 26Y was parked between two Learjets that stopped the roof beams. After that, 26Y got a paint job and a Baron nose cone. Travel Airs are great airplanes. They have the same cabin as a 55 and you can overhaul both engines for the price of one Big Bore Continental. I get an honest 165 kts on 20 gph. Overall maintenance is about the same as a 35 and you get to watch two fans. My Travel Air was one of about 75 that Beech manufactured with Simmonds fuel injection. For 20 years or so, they were pretty satisfactory. Then it became <www.bonanza.org> J Hamilton Wright difficult to get them overhauled and Simmonds just seemed to go out of business. About that time, [ found an article in the ABS Magazine (what would I do without it?) about a member on the West Coast who had converted to Bendix. He sold me all his paperwork for $350. It was the best buy I ever made. Like so much on airplanes, nothing is simple. After the conversion (about $8,000 /engine), I found out how much better this engine ran on the Bendix injector system. The 10-3670 Lycomings are not only quiet, but they are "bullet-proof." On my most recent engine change, I used new Lycoming camshafts and Millennium cylinder assemblies. My engine/prop balance man said his computer tape was the smoothest he's ever seen. I'm semi-retired now and don 't use the plane as much, but it's not for sale. Check with my execulOr! --@ABS February 2004 THE TRAVEL AIRAS A TRAINING MACHINE BY J,M, HIRSCH, HOUSTON, TEXAS eech introduced ils Model 95 Travel Air in 1958 wilh Ihe fuselage of Ihe Ihencurrent 135, While on the drawing boards, it was called Ihe Badger, But since there was also a Soviel bomber known as a Badger, Ihe name was changed to Travel Air, which was Ihe name of Waller Beech's first aircraft company. have 10 move Ihe prop conlrol forward see the prop come out of feather and Ihe engine begin 10 lurn from Ihe wind. Reslarl Ihen consists of moving Ihe mixture control forward until Ihe engine lights (referencing Ihe exhausl gas lemperature gauge for confirmation) and begins 10 produce Ihrusl. ENG INES The airplane's gross weighl (4,000 pounds) single-engine performance al 6,000 MSL is only 50 feel per minute. At sea level/gross weight, Ihe plane will climb at jusl over 200 feet per minute. However, al a training weighl of 3,000 pounds (pilol, instruclor. fuel in main tanks only), Ihe 6,000 MSL singleengine rate of climb is 420 feel per minule and sea level mle is 600 feel per minute. Wilh Ihis kind of perfornlance, Ihe plane is a superb trai ning machinevery good single-engine performance and un feathering accumulators mean the inslructor's worry lisl can be focu sed on aerodynamic performance and leaching. Beech used Continental engines in ils Bonanza line, but Ihe Travel Air has IWO 180-hp carbureled Lycoming 360 cu. in. engines wilh a TBO of 2,000 hours. Laler models have fuel- injected Lycoming engines. Afler-markel add itions include Ihe Rayjay lurbocharging system wilh manually operaled waSle gates. These eng ines are often equipped with propeller feathering accumulalors 10 permil in-flighl unfeathering and reslarling wilhout need of Ihe Slarler. As a Iraining machine, Ihe Lycoming engines are very robust. Our flying club flew N667Q wilh carbureted engines and carb lemperalure gauges. It also had unfealhering accumulalors. In Ihree years we taughl 24 mulliengine ratings in Ihal plane and bolh engines went 400 hours beyond TBO withoul removing a cylinder. Upon overhaul, Ihe engines were bolh clean and capable of more action-a lestament to Ihe effeci of frequent flying on engine longevity. The accumulalors are very helpful. Once shul down and fealhered , we on ly 10 SINGLE-ENG INE PER.FOR.MANCE HAN DLI NG With bOlh mOlors running, Ihe Travel Air is a 360-hp Bonanza-very quick in cruise wilh exceUent shorl-field performance. With one engine only, ii 's a ISO-hp Bonanza-sti II a good performing airplane. Cruise speeds of 120 mph are easily obtainable. Sialis are Bonanza-like, and wilh both mOlors at 20 inches MP. the stall TRAVEL AIR WASTE GATES The mosl interesling Travel Air I flew was a Royjoy-equipped Model 95 With corbureled engines It hod 10 engine conlrols: throttle, prop, mlxlure, corb heat and turbocharger wosle gate for each engine lots 10 mess wlth and a solisfyingly high flddle·foclor was required ABS February 2004 speed--<1ue to the enhanced airflow over the wing-is lowered about 10 knols. Systems are also Bonanza-like. Gear, flaps and Ihe massive dual yoke all feel familiar. The Travel Air is a joy 10 fly. The fue l syslem is differenl from Bonanzas of Ihe era. The Lycoming engines require use of Ihe fuel pumps for bolh lakeoff and landing. The carburetor requires separate knobs for the carb heal controls. If the Travel Air has carb temp gauges, the use of carb heal becomes simpler: Keep Ihe lemps Oul of the yellow wilh enough carb heal 10 raise the lemps into Ihe green. If no gauges, add carb heat when Ihe MP is below 15 inches or so, or whenever you think you need il. Take off and land on Ihe 25-gallon main tanks; during cruise in level flighl, you may switch 10 auxiliary tanks. CR.OSS FEED During single·engine operations. there can develop a need to cross feed fuel from Ihe wing lanks on the inoperative engine side to the operating engine. In the Travel Air, as well as on early model Barons, Ihis requires Ihe fuel seleClor on Ihe operaling engine to point 10 "cross feed" while Ihe fuel selector on the inoperative engine poinls to either "main" or "auxiliary." If the inopemlive engine fuel selector is poinled 10 eilher "off" or "cross feed; ' no fuel flows 10 Ihe operating engine. Later models of the Travel Air had inlerlocks buill inlo the fuel seleclors thai prohi biled cross feed-Io-off or double cross feed. There is a trap buill inlo Ihe system, in Ihal the instruclions for securing an engine after shuldown include "Fuel selector-DFF." If one Iries to select "cross feed" on the operating engine, the selector will nol go. II wants Ihe inoperative engine fuel selector on "main" or '"aux." Owners Wosle gales were left open dUring climb unlll a wlde·open Ihro"le gove 25 inches MP, Then. as climb progressed, Ihe wosle gales were lurned in 10 mOlnloln 25 IOches 01 full thro"le Upon descenl, wosle gales were lurned oullo mOinlolO 25 Inches unlil fully open.lhen Ihrol· lie reduced as descent conllnued <www.bonanza.org> Page 8266 sometimes force the fuel selector to cross feed, which damages the interlock and thus defeats its purpose; then the operating engine would quit as well, since it had no fuel supply. The Travel Air is an excellent introduction to twin-engine flight and an excellent transition step to the Baron series. Control fee l is very similar and single-engine operation is essentially the same. Beech raised the gross weight of its twins to deliver the same single-engine performance in all models. This was most apparent when Beech went from B55 to C55 and increased engine size from 470 cu. in. to 520 cu. in. Gross weight went up just enough to give the same single-engine performance numbers. The Travel Air remained in production from its Model 95 introduction in 1958 through the E95 introduced in 1968. It was still actually in production at the same time as the Baron, which was introduced as a Model 95-55 in 1960. AB5 member Jack HirsdJ. a Gold Seal Mumengine Instrument Instructor, is president of the Beechcroft Pilof Proffciency Program. Inc. Beechcpa't PARTS & AVAILABILITY P arts and cost ore two issues we struggle with in an effort to keep our valuable airplanes in tiptop condition. The ABS MasterCard can be an open door to the best prices for many items from Raytheon! Raytheon is offering ABS credit card holders many items (tires, batteries, oil filters and other common items) at a price only the Raytheon FBOs can receive. Conditions are chang ing so fast at Raytheon we are really shorting ourselves if we do not call Raytheon parts to check on price.The key is the ABS MasterCard, a part number and the phone. Call and get to know a customer service representative. The relationship will provide information and value. CSR Angie sure helped me with all the parts I needed when overhauling the engines on my Baron last year. During a trip to Wichita with ABS Technical Consultant Neil Pobanz, we were given the opportunity to meet Drew McEwen, Vice President·Sales and Customer Support Operations; David Row!, Manager of Piston Technical Support; Christi Tannahill, Director Sales/Customer Support; and other parts and support personnel. This meeting was an effort supporting the ABS Sam James Technical Initiative, working to ensure parts avail· ability and price competitiveness. We found the customer support group, led by Drew, is interested in our issues of parts price and availability. They were already working in areas to help-like putti ng parts on eBay and providing deeper discounts to ABS members using the credit card. They are considering setting up a special ABS Customer Service desk and dedicated ABS representative at RAPID. Your ABS parts price and availability team will be work· ing with Drew and his team to more specifically identify parts, prices and methods to provide value to the ABS memo ber. We will keep you posted on our progress and provide more specific information in the next ABS Magazine. As the Nike ad states: Just Do It" -Just sign up for the ABS MasterCard (316·945·1700) and when you need a part, contact Raytheon parts (l·BB8· 727 ·4344) or <http://www. raytheonaircraft.com/service_support/buy _parts.htm>. You will be pleasantly surprised at the price and service. If you already have a card, use it and receive great value. Some items have a larger discount than others, but the trend is positive for the ABS member. And if we continue to work with Raytheon, they will continue to work for us. As chairperson of the Parts Price and Availability team-whose members include Arky FOUlk, Bob Siegfried and Jon Luy, helped by Tom Turner, Croig Bailey and Neil Pobanz-communication of the benefits for ABS members is my priority. You'll be hearing more about the special ABSIRAPID discount relationship in future issues. -Bill Carter. Grand Rapids, Michigan Parts Price and Availability Team Leader ABS Sam James Technicallnifiafive Just sign up for the ABS MasterCard (316-945-1700) and when you need a part, contact Raytheon ports (1-888-727-4344) or <hnp:/lwww.roytheonoircroft.com/service_supportlbuLPorts.hlm>. You will be pleasantly surprised at the price and service. Pa ge 8267 <www.bonanza .org> ABS February 2004 A soaking at Kitty Hawk §l JOHN M. MILLER, POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK taken a much longer rail to get airborne. In addition, the wanmer and damper air conspired to reduce engine power, propeller thrust and wing lift. It was truly sad that all of the careful planning resulted in such an unavoidable failure. At least a large number of people did see the beautiful duplicate try to fly and heard its engine run, and I heard no complaints. Of course, the planned huge "tlyover" of military and civilian aircraft also had to be cancelled. Even at that, a few individual aircraft did fly past under the low ceiling. There were many, many people ~ from all over the world present, and I ~ ~ met a lot of them as they bought my \< ~ book. There were two Bonanza pilots, ~ Keith Duce and Robert Kerr, members of iD the Australian Bonanza Society, who had ~ come all the way, via airline for the was planning to fly my Bonanza (N 19 Wild Cowboy) to Kitty Hawk (as I had done for the last two years) on my 98th birthday, December 15, but got an urgent request from ABS Director Dr. Charles Davidson to arrive earlier so I could autograph copies of my Flying Stories book at the First Flight event. I arranged to get away on December 13 and flew to the Manteo Airport, near Kitty Hawk. The weather was good, so I flew down the Hudson River at 1,500 feet through the "channel" alongside Manhattan Island, past the site of the destroyed Twin Towers, then proceeded on the YFR flight plan to Manteo in 2:37 flying time. On the evening of the 15th there was a big buffet-style banquet AND they had a yard-square birthday cake for me! Of course, the banquet was not for me; I was just another guest. But they asked me to say a few words to the very enthusiastic audience. They had never seen such an old, bold pilot. Such aren 't supposed to exist. As I' m sure you know, the very day of the planned commemorative flight by the duplicate Wright Flyer turned out to ! ABS February 2004 be an all-day rain that ruined the program . It was a disappointment for everyone there, and they got soaked. My shoes were squishing and it later took an hour for me to dry them with a hair blower, just enough to wear them. At least we did see the Flyer run down the rail, but it was impossible to get it into the air. At the time of the original flight, a century ago, the Wrights had a wind of about 23 mph and cold dry air, so they could get off on the short rail. This time, with almost calm wind, it would have event, and I got well acquainted with them. They told me there are actually 10 Bonanzas on their airport base, including their own and others at different fie lds. After it was all over, I flew on down to St. Petersburg, a 4:37 hop, where I visited one of my granddaughters and her 7-month-old daughter, my tenth great-grandchild, over the holidays. After that, I visited two ABS members at Sebring and Ocala. I then flew back to Poughkeepsie on January I in 7:20 flying time. However, it was not quite that simple. As I approached the New York Bay and asked for a clearance to pass through the John (far right) visits With astronauts Doniel Barry and Neil Armstrong. Armstrong, of course, was the first man on Ihe moon ond Barry (lor left) wos part of Ihe 5T5·96 Discovery (1 999)-lhe firsl shuHle mission 10 dock with the International Space Slollon. <www.bononza.org> Page 8268 Hudson River corridor at 1500 feel alongside of Manhallan Island , my comm radios went dead. As I circled, unsuccessfully trying 10 locale Ihe trouble, Ihe dusk lurned 10 darkness. I decided 10 waste no more lime or fuel. bUlla simply fly a wide radius palh 10 Ihe weSI of Ihe New York Cily area in severe clear weather 10 Poughkeepsie. I squawked ident on Ihe Iransponder 10 attracl allenlion and Ihen changed ilIa 7600 10 indicale no radio. When I lurned on Ihe instrument panel lighls, Ihey lasled aboul five minUles and Ihen went dead also. The IWO eleclronic FIRST FLIGHT BY CHARLES DAVIDSON, M.D. KILL DEVIL HILLS. NORTH CAROLINA panel lighl brighlness controls, which had been expensively overhauled, had failed. So [ resorted 10 a flashl ight. That was no greal problem, due 10 Ihe clear weather and a working aulopi 101 Ihal look over while I found my flashlight. The lOwer al Poughkeepsie recognized Ihe 7600 squawk signal and I had no Irouble landing al my home base, DUlchess County Airport, on ils brighlIy lighled ru nway. I had been away from home for 20 days and had flown a lotal of 21 hours. When [ awoke the neXI morning, Ihere was snow on Ihe ground, which [ had it, pronto. [ ju I wish I could have slayed down in Ihal balmy Florida wealher longer, bUI there was work to be done al home, including Ihis account, and many lellers to answer. John welcomes comments. Write him a/ 20 I Kingwood Pork. Poughkeepsie. NY 1260 1. To pur· chase John's book Flying Stories, visit the ABS Company Store at <WW'N.bonaza.org>. A FEW JOHN MILLER QUIPS: , 'Well. I don'l drink whiskey and my nome's nol Charlie: when asked why he calls his Bonanza ' 19 Wild Cowboy.' , ' I'm nol cold!' he responds. while slanding in line ouldoors in a sport cool and loafers under an umbrella during a pouring rain in 35degree wealher while everyone around him was crying because of being wet, cold and inconvenienced. , ' Well, at leasll gal in my maming walk! ' on leaving Cenlennial Park after Ihe 10:35 a.m. re·crealion of Ihe Wright's firsl flighl was cancelled. John had walked over a mile inlo the park, stood in the rain for an hour and was facing the same distance back to the car. Again, all the young sprouts around him were whining and moaning about Ihe wind, Ihe cold and Ihe walk. Perhaps an optimistiC outlook on all things has somelhing to do with becoming a mong those celebraling Ihe lOOlh anniversary of Ihe firSI powered flighl was Ihe dean of avialars, John M. Miller, who piloled his V-Iail into Dare Counly Regional Airport in Manleo, orth Carolina, on Salurday, January 13. Joining us in Ihe celebralion, both for Ihe Wrighls and John, were Rob and Gail Kerr nonagenarian pilot? and Keilh Duce of Ihe Auslralian Bonanza Sociely who cenainly won Ihe prize for Ihose coming Ihe funhest. Besides celebraling hi s 981h birthday on Monday, December 15, il was also Ihe 80lh anniversary of John's firsl A missed on my arrival by only a few hours. Lucked out again! One bad thing aboullhe lOur was a gain of 10 pounds in my weighl- 100 many panies and reSlauranl meals, ' way off my usual careful diet. I' ll gel rid of John shored some lIying stories with the crowd. solo al age 18 in 1923. This coincided wilh a VIPreceplion in honor of mililary aviation al Ihe Cenlennial Park in the shadow of Kill Devil Hill. A surprise birthday recogn ition was arranged wilh John being introduced by aClor Andy Griffith, who now lives on the Ouler Banks. After hi s introduclion, John displayed his usual ability 10 speak exlemporaneously, and IOld Ihe crowd how he went 10 Quanlico as a Marine aviator in Ihe early '30s. A huge cake was provided and John spent Ihe rest of Ihe evening surrounded by ABS members, admirals, astronaul ~ Neil Anllslrong and other VlIPs. ~ John never SlapS working for ABS. For ~ three days al the welcome pavilion al Manteo '" Airpon, he charmed all comers as he aulOiD graphed copies of his book, Flyillg Stories. ~ ABS Director Charlie Davidson was largely responsible tot arronging John 5 birthday cetebration at First Flight. -Editor An enormous cake was provided 10 help celebrole John's birthday. Actor Andy Griffilh. who now lives on the Outer Bonks. introduces John at the party. Page 8269 <www.bonanza .o rg> You can p urchase Flying Stories online at www. bonanza,org ABS February 2004 Woodland Aviation kudos [n the October issue (page 8060 in Tech Tips), it was suggested that Woodland Aviation may be more expensive than other shops. Their current rate is $90 per hour and there probably are places with a lower rale. However, [ go to them when I need prompt, reliable serv ice and always come away satisfied. [n ovember [ decided it was time to get my nose wheel steering repaired. Parts were moving around a lot up there and I couldn't tell how best to fix them. [ called Woodland at 9 a.m. on Friday and they said they were shorthanded that day but to bring it in anyway. I landed there at 10:30 and they wem right to work. They soon had an estimate, confirmed the needed parts were in stock and promi sed to have it done by 3 o'clock. At 2:45 everything was complete, the shimmy dampener had been serviced and the logbooks were done. They then filled the tanks at $2.20 per gallon discounted rate and offered a free wash. They also have a free airport car if you want to go into town for lunch. Yes, there are shops with lower hourly rates, but Woodland has always been exceptionally knowledgeable and efficient. Having all the drawings and parts available at the site is a major benefit. [n fact, one day I must have spent over an hour getting the correct seals for my brake master cylinder with a lot of help from their staff. My total expenditure was less than SIO! -Wayne Mikel Placerville, California V-Tails over Texas Capitol A formation flight of Bonanzas over the Texas State Capitol on December 17 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight was flown by lead pilot Mike Babler, #2 Wayne Collins, #3 Mike Parrish, # 4 Keith Rutherford, #5 Jim Averell and Iy over the Capitol. The picture tells the story of the rewards of developing the skills of fomJalion flying. Babler, Collins, Parrish and Rutherford hold FFI lead cards. Both Averett and Koonce have military formation experience and plan to obtain their FF[ wingman cards at the Grayson County Formation Clinic May 26-29. (See <www.b20sh.org> for more info.) -Wayne Collins Mineola, Texas "Seeing Less of Nancy" #6 Jeff Koonce. (For those with sharp eyes, Jeff Koonce in the Debonair joined our group after our name and logo had already been selected.) Thanks to Bonanza pi lot Gary Biba for recording this day. The night was planned by Stu McCurdy, head of Formation Flying Inc, and lead pilot for a fli ght of 12 RV series aircraft. Our Texas V-Tails group was invited to participate. The briefing and traffic control in Austin Airspace wa well-planned and executed. After forming, the group departed San Marcos. Texas, for the shorr flight to Austin at 2,000 feet. They flew up Congress Avenue direct- The challenge for us to make pledges to the ABS/ASF Endowment Fund for each pound lost by our executive director is a great idea! (ABS Magaoine, October, 2003, page 8097.) I would like to join the challenge at S5 per pound, plus increase the odds by matching it with the same amount for my own weight loss, which is long overdue. [ extend the challenge to other "bulky" members, because every pound lost is healthier living and increased payload. (In other words, shed the belly tank! ) And of course. this is a truly unique way to raise money for ABS projects to benefit our Beech airplanes and ourselves as pilots. The campaign is also a great way to make the commitment to attend the 2004 ABS convention, when the final weight-loss tally wi ll be revealedboth in how Nancy looks and in how much the campaign has raised. See you in Orlando-and thanks to Nancy for the incentive. -Uoyd Richards Timmins, Ontario. Canada EDITOR 'S NOTE : AI press lime. pledges were m $280 per poulld alld Nancy had losl 27 poullds. To pO/'licipme. send your per-poulld pledge 10 bOllanoa [email protected] or call il ill 10 ABS al 316-945-1 700. New partial panel techniques BY RON ZASADZINSKI FORT COLLINS. COLORADO f you have a GPS , new partial-panel techniques are available for turning to headings. Historically. the two core techniques for partial-panel turns have been timed turns and compass turns. These are still critical skills, as they work even with a complete electrical failure. While a complete electrical failure is rare, a failure of your HSI or hending indicator is a possibility. [n this case, your GPS moving map can be a most effective tool for maintaining heading. Important note: Your GPS is not likely to be of help if you have lost control of the aircraft. Use your primary instruments to recover from an unusual attitude. Once straight-and-Ievel flight has been regained, your GPS can be used for maintaining heading, and turning to new headings. There are several ways to do this. If you have a Garmin 530, a CNX80 or any moving map that has a 120degree arc or HSI-type display, use that screen. (Fig. I.) The top of the display is similar to a heading indicator. Note: This indicates your ground track to the nearest degree, not magnetic heading. If you are flying an airway or an approach, ground track is more helpful anyway, and making the ground track I match the approach course will prevent you from drifting off course. When making turns, rolling out on the desired heading requires practice. GPS ground-track information lags behind your actual ground track by a few seconds. Make your turns standard rate and experiment to figure out how earl y to begin your rollout. The necessary lead varies from one GPS to another. For example, the new CNX-80 updates its position calculation five times per second, and thus has less lag than the Garmin 430/530 units which update once per second. Even if your GPS doesn't have a graphic heading display, you can still use this technique by watching the text readout of the ground track, usually labeled TRK. Figuring out which way to turn isn't visual - you 'll have to think about it. I use the mantra "Lower numbers are to the left " ro help keep things sorted out. So this technique can be used with any GPS , including textonly and VFR units. If you do have a moving map, another important skill to master is holding your ground track steady by watching the course line. The course line is shown in magenta on color units. First operate the map in "track up" mode (strongly recommended at all times) rather than "north up." When you are flying on the parallel course line, or parallel ro it, it will appear perfectly straight up and down. (Fig I.) If you are drifting off course, it will be BPPP 2004 SCHEDULE Bonanza s/ Barons/Travel Airs ot all locations. Subject to c hange. Cockpit C ompanion course a vailable everywhere. CALL THE BPPP REGISTRATION OFFICE to make arrangeme nts: 970-377-18 77 or fax 9 70-3 77-151 2. Figure 2 displayed at an angle and show some '·jaggies." (Fig 2.) Thi s technique works best with the scale zoomed in to 5 nm . This is so powerful that with practice you can fly an entire approach using the map as your primary instrument reference-just follo w the magenta line and keep it straight up and down when you are close to the course. ABS member Ron Zasadzinski instructs with the Beechcroft Pilof Proficiency Program as both a ground and flight instructor and is the secretory of the BPPP Board at Directors. He lives in Fort Collins. Colorado, where he works as a flight instructor and a computer consultant. He has more than 6,500 hours of flight time in general-aviation aircraft. Visit his website 01 <WWW.ffyron.cofTl>. DATE LOCATION AIRPORT March 5-7 San Antonio. Texas SAT March 19-21 Greensboro. North Carolina GSO April 16-18 Fresno. Ca lifornia FAT May 14-16 Columbus. Oh io CMH June 11-13 Spokane, Washington SFF ~u are inviteato aIJroundlireaking (jeremoJlgfor tlie q]onr;;nza/ q]aron 9r(useum on efaturriay, fJl{pri(3, 2004. at tlie liome q/tlie Q/taggerwil'lg anaqJeecli 18 9iCuseums in C@utlalioma, C@ennessee Sponsored by the American Bonanza Society, Midwest Bonanza Society, Northeast Bonanza Group, Pacific Bonanza Society, Rocky Mountain Bonanza Societ y, Southeastern Bonanza Society, Southwest Bonanza Society, World Beechcraft Society, Bonanzas-2-0shkosh and Twin Bonanza Association . GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY WILL FOLLOW TWO DAYS OF PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES,APRIL I & 2. THURSDAY, APRIL I - Arrive at Tullahoma [THA) to pick up registration packets [$35) at the Staggerwing Museum. Hospitality time at 6 p.m. will be followed by a " Fresh Seafood Extravaganza Dinneen [$30 per person) FRIDAY,APRIL 2 - A full day of tours: jack Daniels Distillery; Worth, Inc. Aluminum Bat Factory; Arnold Air Force Base Experimentation & Diagnostic Center, including their wind tunnel; then back to the Staggerwing Museum for a look inside the Beech Starship donated by Raytheon last Octobee After hospitality time at the museum, dinner at the Western Sizzlin's restaurant. [Separate checks) SATURDAY, APRIL 3 - A little flying to nearby airports will end at Winchester, Tennessee, for a pancake breakfast sponsored by EAA Chapter #699 to join pilots from all over the area for their regu lar meeting. Back at Tullahoma, a short inaugural meeting to select th e Bonanza I Baron Museul11 Foundation Board of Trustees and Officers before the official groundbreaking ceremony. (Bring your own shovel so you can take part in the actual digging.) AFTER LUNCH, two two-hour seminars: "How to get the most out of your Garmin 530 / 430;' Christian Cherniak, Certified GPS instructor; and "Proper Engine Power Management;' George Braly of GAM I. EVENING ACTIVITIES: Hospitality time, hangar party dinner with homemade ice cream. [$25 per person). REGISTRATION CHARGE covers cost of rental vans, admission to museums, hospitality times and other miscellaneous expenses [$35 per person). HOTEL RESERVATIONS must be made by March I to secure the Bonanza 1Baron Museum meeting rates. Executive Inn, Tullahoma - 931-455-4501 $36 - 25 rooms blocked Hampton Inn, Tullahoma ' - 931-461-5222 - $79 b'fast included - 40 rooms blocked jameson Inn, Tullahoma - 931-455-7891 - $60 b'fast included - 40 rooms blocked RENTAL CARS - Reserve by calling Russell Barnett Auto Sales [ask for jim Lindsey) at 931-455-6066. Full details at <staggerwing.com> or by contacting Harold Bost. TO REGISTER, CALL, FAX OR E-MAIL HAROLD BOST FOR AN EVENT REGISTRATION FORM. tel: 770-719-0638, fax: 770-719-9826 or e-mail <[email protected]> The last left tank, with the left tank level indicator staying high, no matter how much fuel I burned from the tank. unit was not correct, since the float should be exactly where I expected it to be on the bottom of the tank. A few changes later to the mirror's flexible joint allowed us to get a look at Looking inside what was going on. We really couldn 't the fuel tanks anything folded in the fuel cell that see After a long afternoon Ilight to try was jamming up the float , but it was out some new avionics equ ipment for still hanging at the top of the tank, Prirme Pi/or magazi ne, I arrived back solving the fuel exactly as you wouldn't have expected at the airpolt with around 15 gallons of indicotop issue ond it to be, what with gravity still in play. gas in each wing. Rather than fill the othepfuelconcepns Thinking that the float was a little tanks, I decided to take a look at what I BY GEORGE WILHELMSEN sticky, we tried to unstick it. With a litcould see, since I knew that electrically, MORRIS, ILLINOIS tle effort, the mechanic was able to get the system was correct. To that end, I the fuel float loose from the unidentified pulled both main tank fuel caps and ome of you may recall my reportinterference inside the fuel tank. He looked inside. ing in the July 200 1 and July 2002 then cycled it up and down several On the right tank, I could see the issues of ABS Magazine on the times trying to get it to stay unstuck, but Iloat sitting on the bottom of the empty troubleshooting of my fuel transmitters. every time he took the float to the "full" portion of the fuel tank, as I would have Thi s article is an addendum of salts that up position, it would hang up again. expected it to be. It was hinged slightly closes out one final glitch I found with Since he fe lt a little resistance at the inboard of the fuel cap centerline. and I the system. The bottom line is that I "full up" position, we left it there and could see the lever arm reaching up to missed a step in my troubleshooting got out the inspection mirror again. the transmitter. efforts. That's the only answer that When we started , the inspection When I opened the fuel cap on the makes any sense in this latest case of the mirror looked like a lot of inspection left fuel tank, I looked in the same errant fuel indicator. mirrors I have seen-well-used and dirty. place, toward the fu selage, but the float Don't misunderstand me: I do care After a good cleaning, we were able to for the left tank was nowhere in sight. I if a fuel indicator stays high. While I see that the float ann was in fact hanging decided to leave the fuel tanks at their manage my fuel with a fuel computer up on the rivet that extends from the current low levels, and get the shop anyway, it's always nice to know which inboard face of the rheostat. There is a involved to solve this problem . tank is more full. As things stood, it was small dogleg in the float arm that takes always the left tank since, in spite of it directly in front of the rheostat, and The s.noking gun checking everything electrical, the tank that dogleg was hanging on the bronzeAt first blush, it appeared that indication wouldn 't generally come off colored rivet. It looked like we were might have found a smoking gun. The of around 3/4 full. going to have to go through the process fue l transmitter float s have to be orientSince I didn 't have a mysterious of pulling the fuel transmitter cover (a ed in a mirror image to one another to source of avgas feeding the left tank, bunch of screws and time) and then the work properly. The lack of a float on the there had to be something going on with transmitter itself (several screws and a bottom of the left tank under the fuel the transmitters. We developed a new gasket, ka-ching!) to adjust the arm, fi ller indicated that it was hung up detailed troubleshooting plan to find the since we didn't have the right remote inside the fuel cell. 1 wasn 't sure if it problem . In the course of the work, all tools to grab and adjust the dogleg. was stuck on a wrinkle or on the transthe electrical connections between the Needless to say, the job was about mitter itself. indicator in the cockpit and the associatto expand from a 15 minute repair to a Since I didn't have a boroscope or ed fuel transmitters were checked. four-hour expensive job, so I proposed mirror to check it, I called the FBO and Yes, we checked the wiring to both an alternative: I asked the mechanic to arranged for some quality time with the transmitters in each wing, as well as unstick the float, and then use his hand mechanic who had spent so many hours how they were grounded, and to see to push the float inboard toward the and so much of my hard-earned money whether the wires had chafed through. fuselage to correct the float arnl dogleg working on it previously. We even pulled the transmitters and position. The mechanic was happy to On his arrival with an inspection stroke-tested them. to assure they had try it, and after unsticking the float, mirror and a bright flashlight, we quickthe right resistance. Everything looked gently applied pressure to it. After this ly surveyed both the right outboard fue l good, and when we filled the tanks, effort, the float would no longer stick on sending unit and then the left unit. The everything worked- for a while. Then the rheostat. A&P quickly confirmed that the left it was back to the bad actor thing on the glitch S Page 8273 <www.bonanza .org> ABS February 2004 A quick fl ip of the master switch showed the problem was solved, as the fuel level in the left tank now indicated around 1/4, instead of the 3/4 it had previously. The IOtal length of time it took to do the work was aro und 15 minutes, with the mechanic able to insert his hand into the tank to reach the fl oat. If your mechanic is a bit more burly, you may have to go 10 the more expensive route of removing the transmitter. For the lessons learned, the troubleshooting plan needs to be revised to include stroke-testing the fuel sending units to see if there is any binding. This should also be incorporated into the fuel cell replacement instructions, since all my problems started when they were re placed. That is one of the things that probably made me the most fru strated, since before that replacement, the fuel level indicators on both wings were fai rly accurate. In my experience, thi s seems to be more the exception than the rule, but it made it even more important for me to get back to the condition I started with . Another problem Just a few weeks earl ier, I was back from a long flight from Vicksburg, Mississippi, when I noticed that I had fuel leaking out of my less-than-twoyear-old Eagle Fuel Cells quick drains. I fi gured I had some junk caught in the 0ring, but after sum ping the drains for debris didn 't show anything, I decided to have the shop remove both drains for inspection and repairs. The new drains have a fl at plate that keeps the upward force on the quick drain on the bottom of the wing, instead of fl exing the fuel cell and potentially causing it to crack or to crack the associated nipple. Some pilots claim this subjects the nipple to more forces from being in contact with the airframe. But from what I' ve seen, the new quick drain is an improvement that will extend, not reduce, fue l cell life. It was fort unate that I had purchased the upgraded quick drains, which allowed for the drain cartridge to ABS February 2004 As you con see from thIS end view, this Mil 6000 spec hose thaI was in continuous contact with ovgos wasn't up fa the challenge. Acloseup of a dissected fuel line shows severe dis· tress of the line. It was only a moffer of time before this line either foiled by leaking in flight. or worse yel. by starting to drop particles into the fuel system. be removed from the bottom of the wing. When it was removed, the mechanic was surprised to see that the O-ring was severely distressed- in fact, it was riddled with cracks! A call to Eagle Fuel Cells resulted in their shi pping new 0 rings that were rated for continuous contact with fuel at no charge. It appears that the original O-rings provided were for hydraulic serv ice and not intended for long-term contact with fuel. In my recent experience, this represents an adverse trend in the aviation industry. which is why I am mentioning it here. To assure that this did n't get lost, the shop filed a Service Di fficulty Report , and I also called the ABS technical representatives to make sure they were aware of the issue. It is troubling that I have also recently encountered fue l ho es that were designed for intennittent service that were in continuous contact. While in that condition, those hoses have failed, resulting in dangerous fuel leaks. There are some lessons that can be learned from this, to arrest this adverse trend. For mechanics, when installing O-rings or hoses, carefully read the fine print in the mil spec standards to assure you are putting in the right parts-either <www. bononzo .org > those rated for continuous immersion (Le. resistant) or those rated for periodic contact. For aircraft owners, if you are replacing hoses or rebuilding components that are in contact with fuel, mention that you know there is a difference in fuel-rated hose materials and ask that the mechanic go over the details, incl uding a rev iew of the materials selected and the mil specs, to assure that fuel lines rated for continuous contact are used. There is no doubt that this will take more time, but considering that we are dealing with lOO-octane avgas. a little more time would seem to be a reasonable investment. The cost of avgas notwithstanding, an errant spark could have turned this hose problem from an unfortunate seep into a tOlal loss of the aircraft! A8S member George Wilhelmsen is the Bolonce of Plant Supervisor 01 Exefon's Lo50/fe County Generating Station. He is a Commercia/lnstrumentroted pilof, is the avionics editor tor Private Pilot and Custom Planes and is a contributing editor for iPiiof and Avionics News. Page 8274 MEMORY CAPACITY T he recent flood of advanced avionics products on the market is remarkable. These little computers when linked to GPS satellites and displayed on screens as large as early televisions have revolutioni zed the way we will fl y in this new century. They put all the data before you- traffic, headings, frequenci es, next frequencies. You may not even need a pencil. I, for one, appreciate the help. As we age, keeping all that infor- We cannot remember the name of the person who was introduced to us 30 minutes ago (a really common malady at ABS meetings). Short-term and remote memory are usually not affected by age. We are often concemed about not being able to recall a name of a fam iliar person or book or aircraft. Thi s is frustrating but usually not abnormal. [t is usually not a reflection of pathology in the brain itself. And if you keep trying. malion in your cortex becomes more taxing. Twenty-five years ago my flight instructor drummed into my 30-year-old brain the need to write everything down and have it available in a logical format. It 's even more important as we get older, because our memory capacity does change as we age. There is a saying, "It 's OK if you forget where you put the car keys, just so you don't forget what you do with them." As we age, aUf brain gradually loses a few brain cells. It also decreases the manufacture of the chemicals used in memory processing. This is normal. We have three types of memory: short renTI , recent and remOIC. Short-term is remembering the frequency the controller just issued you. Recent is remembering where you parked your car at the airport this morning before you left. Remote is remembering how anxious you were when the instructor got out of the airplane 30 years ago and told you to take it up solo. As we age, our brain does not store memory as effectively. Recent memory is most affected by these aging changes. Exercise your mind. Do things that require memorization. Crossword puzzles, word games and association exercises all help this process. Just like the body, the mind thrives on exercise. the name will eventually come to you. Piloting requires all three When fl ying, especially on instrument flight plans or in high traffic areas, we are req uired 10 use all a Uf memory banks. Shorl-Ierm for new frequencies, head ings and clearances; recent for weather stats we received before departure, winds and what time your motherin-law expects you to be at Podunk Airport (and heaven help you if you're late); and remOle in recalling the proper power settings for approach that you learned in the BPPP course six years ago. I disc ussed fl ying and normal memory changes with a BPPP instructor several years ago. He was in his sixties and flying a Baron and a King Air for a company when not instructing. He said he found it imperative to write down freq uencies and clearances and, if necessary, to ask the controller to speak slowly and clearly. This pilot was a former naval aviator and one of the best instructors [ have ever met. He understood his normal limitations and worked with them. Checklists are a must. No one can consistently recall every item, especially if distracted. When I changed to the Beech brand eight years ago, I moved from brand M. The gear handle was in the "wrong" place in reference to my 1500 hours of fl ying Mooneys. The instructors drummed into me the mantra of: (A) not touching the gear handle till clear of the active, and (B) saying out loud, "flaps, flaps, flaps" as I put my hand on the flat flap handle before mov ing it. That was a case of LIn/earning a remote memory. Alt itude can affect one's memory. The effects of hypoxia are subtle and THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMilY PRACTICE GIVES THIS LIST OF CONCERNS FOR ABNORMAL MEMORY FUNCTION: Forgefting Ihings much more often Ihon you used to. Forgefting how 10 do Ihings you've done many times before. Trouble learning new Ihings. Repeating phrases or stories in the some conversation. Trouble making decisions or handling money. Not being able to keep trock of whal happens each day. sneaky. It is really important to write down freqs and clearances when flying high without oxygen. If you ever get an opportunity to experience the mental effects of altitude in an altitude chamber, take it. It is surprising how it deteriorates function. Pilot s sometimes question what constitutes abnormal memory function. They worry if they might have early Alzheimer's or a dementia. Exercise your mind. Do things that require memori zation. Crossword puzzles, word games and assoc iation exercises all help this process. Just like the body, the mind thrives on exercise. QUESTtONS OF THE BYPASS OPERATION Q. I had a bypass operation on the aneries to my legs about three years ago and I would like to stan flying again. What do I need to do to move the special issuance process along O A. You are correct that you will need a special issuance. You need to gather all your records regarding your surgery as well as a letter from your vascular surgeon or physician that is now following you for the vascu lar condition. The FAA will be interested in risk factors for atheroschlerotic disease. These include cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes and coronary heart disease. If you smoke. definitely make an effort to SLOp. You wi ll need a recent exercise stre ss test (to check for blockages in the aneries feeding the heart) and ultrasound tests to determine that the arteries to the legs have not re-formed blockages. RUPTURED DISC Q. I am 31 years old and I had an operation for a ruptured disc in my back three months ago. I grounded myself before the operation becau,e I was having some weakness in my right fool. Since the operation. my strength has returned and I am driving without difficulty. My neurosurgeon has put no restrictions on ;my activity inCluding flying. Is this a problem for my next FAA physical? A. This should not be a problem. If your strength is back to normal and your neurosurgeon has documented no restrictions, your AME should be able to certify you. You should take the letter from your surgeon to your AME when you go for your next physical. DIABETES Q. I have been a diet-controlled diabetic for several years. Now my doctor wants to ,tart me on an oral medication. Do I have to SlOp flying? What criteria do I have to meet for continued flying with this medIcation" A. Charles S. Davidson. M.D. holds board certification in family medicine and emergency medicine. He has been an aviation medical examiner since 1978 and serves as a senior AME. He holds a private pilot license with multi-engine and instrument roting. He is an oc/We pilof using general aviation for business and pleasure for 23 yeo15. He is an ASS board memo ber and ffies a 80nanaza A36. He is a member of AOPA and EM . MONTH There are two types of diabetes. Insulin-dependelll diabetes requires the use of insu lin in injection form to regulate the blood glucose levels in the body. Insulin-resiSTaIll diabetes (more common and the incidence in the American population is growing) can sometimes be controlled with diet, weight loss and exercise. However, when these measures do not control the blood glucose levels, the next step is the use of oral (pill) med ication. You seem to be at that point in treatment of this condition. The FAA has three protocols for the treatment of diabetes: Diet-controlled (no medication), oral medication and insulindependent. In each case, a blood test called the HgbA IC is important to their decision making. Your physician has probably decided that the HgbA IC is too high even with diet and weight loss. The pills he will prescribe wi ll hopefully enable your body to use glucose more effectively. As thi s occurs, the HgbAlc should decrease. When starting your new medication. you should not exercise your airman privileges for 60 days. This is a precaution in case you have any side effects from the medication that would affect your ability to act as pilot in command. There is the chance that your blood glucose level could drop too low, causing symptoms of confusion, fatigue or drowsi ness. Discuss this with your doctor. ear the end of 60 days, you should get another Hbg A IC and a full report from your doctor. This should include other blood tests, cholesterols, urine tests for glucose and should address any other conditions such as high blood pressure or risk factors for coronary heart disease. He should also comment on any signs of disease or abnormalities in the eye examination, the kidney function and nerves and sensation. as diabetes can affect these systems. Contact your AME beforehand and inform him that you are in the process of starting this new medication and acquiring this information. The process of certification by special issuance will best be addressed if your AME is informed and working with you earl y on. Estimating avionics jobs he new month finds me still a penguin (a flightless bird). However, the good news is, I'm entering my third month in the wonderful world of avionics retailing! I' m still learning a lot every day in the incredibly complicated field of estimating the cost of avionics jobs in every type of airplane-from ullralights to experimentals to antiques to GA singles and twins to light, medium and heavy jets. Loren and Susan Friedle, the owners of CE Avionics in Sanford, Florida. have been more than supportive and patient. They don 't expect me to make us all weallhy. but they do appreciate it when my job estimates don 't end up costing them money. Want to hear complicated? Try this: A potential customer taxies up in his pressurized P-Baron. His want list is simple. He has a full BendixIKing panel, consisting (from the top) of a King KMA-24 audio panel with marker beacon. Two KX165 Navcoms (one with glideslope), a KL -90B GPS, all feeding a KI-525A HSI , a KR-87 ADF, a KN-64 DME, a KT76C transponder and a King KFC-250 autopilot. He also has a KWX-56 radar and a Goodrich 1000A Stormscope. A very nicely equipped P-Baron , as one would expect in this class of airplane. P-customer is shopping for a Garmin 430 all-everything navcom/GPS and a six-place stereo intercom. Simple, eh? Well, stand by for what happens next. First, we go out to P-customer's airplane and do some preliminary measurements and calculations. The airplane is clean as a pin and the avionics were all obviously factoryinstalled. 0 problems so far. We take pictures with our digital camera of the entire instrument panel for later reference. The customer indicates he is willing to part with his #1 KX-165 navcom, but he wants to retain everything else and doesn't want anything in the stack moved around. First uh-oh! The Garmin 430 is six-tenths of an inch taller than the space left by removing the #1 KX-165! There is no space left in the radio stack. Something has to be moved! There is, however, two inches of space available above the KWX-56 radar. Candidates for relocation: The KT-76 transponder or the autopilot control panel. P-customer decides it's OK to move the transponder if we need to. (Good choice. How many times during a night does he change his transponder code?) While we're out measuring, picturing, and making notes, P-customer has been sitting in our waiting area reading avionics brochures. Now he wants to know about possibly converting his transponder from a Mode-C to a Mode-S, or better yet, installing a Mode-S, such a a Garmin GTX-330, or a T Bendix/King KT-73, and keeping the existing KT-76C aboard as a #2 transponder? (Another good choice. Mr. Customer didn 't get to ownership of a P-Baron by being less than smart. A back-up transponder in an airplane that nies at alii tudes up to 25,000 feet is really a good idea.) However. that brings up another uh-oh. Where in his panel do we find the real estate to put a second transponder? Since transponders are only 1.3 to 1.6 inches high, we immediately respond that we can make it fit "somewhere." While we're wrestling with this one, Mr. Customer is in our waiting area. exploring-via our literature rack and our demo displays-the wonderful world of multi-function-displays (MFDs). He has discovered that he can replace his radar display with the Gamlin (ex-UPS) MX-20 or the BendixIKing KMD-850 system or the Avidyne EX500! On one screen, he can display a moving map, driven by his exi ting KL -90B GPS (thereby saving the cost of the Garmin 430); his radar dara, NEXRAD weather, in both graphics and text (if he opts for the data receiver): stormscope rellIrns: traffic (if he opts for the Garmin GTX 330 or Bendix/King KT 73 Mode S transponder); or even EGPWS (Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System). Oooh, the possibilities ... By now our P-Customer's head is swimming. I figure he has not absorbed all the possibilities J have given him , but J hope he has at least a hint of the possibi lities. Nevertheless, I suggest he consider replacing his BendixIKing KMA-24 audio panel with one by PS Engineering that includes a sixplace intercom, but also includes XM satellite music! That did it! Now he is agitated and excited. That brings up one of the things I never before considered in all my years of working in avionics marketing for all the various manufacturers. When I was displaying at-and you were attending-the various tradeshows and conventions, such as ABS. EAAAirVenture, Sun 'N Fun and AOPA, you shopped at each display and booth for equipment you might be interested in for your Bonanza or Baron. However. nobody ever tied it all together for you! Why on earth would you want to replace a KMA-24 audio panel in an allBendix/King stack with a PS Engineering 6000/7000 one? To put it another way: Let's say our mythical P-Baron customer "shopped" at the Garmin display at the ABS Convention. He got a good demonstration of the Garmin 430/530 system, was impressed and decides he wants one. At another booth, he saw a six-place intercom, tried it and decided he wants to share music and conversation with all his passengers. He goes to our shop and states his needs-a Garmin 430 and a six-place intercom. He knows the retail list price of the equipment. He expects to get a reasonable and imple One of the serious problems in the aviation industry has been is, and always will be the airplane owner who retrieves his $50,000 Merce?es ~rom the ~hOP where he has paid $80 an hour to have his car serviced and dnves It to the Q/rport where he becomes livid at the mechanic or avionics shop who dares to charge hIm $65 an hour to work on his $200,000 Bonanza! estimate for what-to him- is a simple and reasonable job. The six-tenths of an inch difference between the radio coming out and the Garmin 430 going in is only the beginning. What about mating the Garmin 430 to the KI-525A? The two are not "plug-and-play" as they say in the computer industry. He already has a GPS (Bendix/King KLN-90B) aboard, and therefore has a Nav/GPS selector and annunciator installed. However, now he 's going to have two GPSs and two navs, instead of two navs and one GPS. Does this create a problem? Maybe, maybe not. But there has to be materials and labor expended to do it, and then drawings to be produced to show how we did it. That brings up labor, materials and engineering support. Labor is expensive, and I'm still not comfortable with estimating the number of hours it takes to do a particular job. I don't know any avionics shops whose labor rate is under $50 (US) an hour. Ours is 565 for installations. I also don't know any high-end automobile repair shops whose rate is lower than ours. One of the serious problems in the aviation industry has been , is, and always will be the airplane owner who retrieves his $50,000 Mercedes from the shop where he has paid 580 an hour to have his car serviced and drives it to the airport where he becomes livid at the mechanic or avionics shop who dares to charge him $65 an hour to work on his $200,000 Bonanza! More about labor In the aforementioned Mercedes dealership, there is 110 federall y-mandated employee drug-screening program required, although most dealerships have one to satisfy their liability insurance carrier. Automobile Mechanic Certifications are controlled by the automotive industry themselves with only industry oversight. In avionics and maintenance shops, there is an FAA drug-screening program required. At airports where there is an airline, shop employees must pass a background investigation to get a badge that even lets them on the premises. Convicted felons need not apply. Finally, there has to be an FAA Repair Station License hanging on the wall, which is tightly controlled by the local FAA Flight Standards Office and an Aircraft & Powerplants (A&P) license in the pocket of someone in the shop. Is it any wonder why my instructions regarding labor are "Try not to lose money on labor costs''? No mention is made of making money and most avionics shops make very little on labor. On to materials Most avionics are shipped from the factory with an installation kit that usually contains a tray and some pins from which the shop can build a wiring harness. The antenna mayor may not be included. This leaves wire, connectors, screws, tiewraps, circuit breakers and miscellaneous items for the shop to furni sh. Some wire, such as that between a stormscope and its antenna, costs over $9 a foot! Plain old BNC connectors (AMP, aviation, nO! from Radio Shack) cost nearly $10 each. Circuit breakers (new, the old ones lose their amp ratings over time) can cost up to 550 apiece! High-speed antennas start at about $500 each! Various "Smart Boxes" such as a splitter for two navs runs about Sloo, up to switch boxes and sophisticated relays that can cost thousands! On to engineering support This is where aiIplane owners often think they are getting ripped off. First, let 's look in on our old customer P-customer. Remember when I said he has a "P" Baron? Remember when I said he wou ld now have two GPSs? In most installations, that means two GPS alllennas. He already has one, but the "P" on his airplane stands for pressurized. That means we somehow have to go through the pressure vessel to install the second GPS antenna. That, according to the principal FAA inspector for our repair station license, means the antenna installation must be inspected and signed off by an FAA DER (Designated Engineering Representati ve). To get a DER sign-off, engineering drawings and materials specifications must be generated and approved by the DER. His fee for inspecting, reviewing and approving the installation is at least 5500 or higher, depending on the complexity of the work. Documentation Engineering and documentation is one area where I see other "low-ball" shops ripping you, the customers off. You may never know it's happened, or worse, you will find out years later and it will cost you money. To complete Mr. P-cuslOmer 's jOb, he should expect to receive: ( I)Complete and accurate logbook entries, detailing everything that was added and everything that was removed to/from his airplane, including serial numbers of all equipment. Ours are printed on a computer and pasted into the airframe logbook with the signature of the final inspector overseeing the work. (A piece of "rogue" avion ics ei ther installed or removed from the airplane and not documented could seriously affect the value of the airplane at sales time !) (2)Copies of all FAA Form 337s documenting "Major Alterations" to the airplane. (3)Drawings and wiring diagrams showing how the installation was done. (If this is not included, the next avionics shop that installs. removes or repairs equipment in your airplane could spend a whole day at your expense trying to figure out how your avionics installation was wired before they can start on the next job.) I realize that few of you are troubled by the examples I've used concerning pressurized aircraft. However, the rest of my stories should alert you that in avionics, "Nothing is as simple as it seems." Perhaps that one statement will help prevent your onset of a coronary at the price you are quoted when you visit your avionics shop for "a simple installation." That's all my advice for this month. I've estimated myself out of time and space. See ya next month. Jim Hughes is the chief pilol, corporate aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. flying 0 Citation II. He also heads Marketing and Professional Services, a consulting firm specializing in flight test Dnd avionics integration. His ratings include both an ATP and on A&P mechanics license. with a long list of type ralings from Boeings to Sikorsky helicopters. He has more than 21 .000 hours, including over 3,000 hours in Bonanzas, Barons. Dukes Dnd King Airs. The more expensive and sophisticated the airplane. the harder the job gets. In the newer "glass cockpit" jets, practically everything "talks to" everything else. You've Got Mail! E-mail, that is, and it may be from the American Bonanza Society. You probably updated your address for the upcoming ABS Direcrory, and if you did, that's it. You are current. If you have not updated your current e-mail address with ABS, now is the time to do it-and it has never been easier. HERE'S WHAT YOU DO: 1. 2. 3. 4. Go to the ABS website at <www.bonanza.org> . Click on Members Only at the top. Fill in your last name and ABS number. Click Renew Your Membership or Update Your Proftle . (This is a great opportuniry for you to verify all information in the sys tem). 5. In the box labeled E-Mail Address, enter yours. 6. Click on Submit Your Form to Us. That is it! In the fumre, e-mail is going 10 play a larger role in communicating with membefli of ABS. Bur if you don't have e-mail yet, don't worryall of our other media will still be available. Page 8279 Being e-mail literate can be a valuable 1001, however, and it is becoming more important as a 1001 for organizations like ABS 10 help keep membefli informed and 10 keep dues from rising as the COSt of paper, <www. bonanza .org> pnntlng and conventional mailing escalates. If you want 10 receive e-mail, but don't know where 10 start, we can help. Stand by! Help is on the way. ABS February 2004 JAY LEDVINA MECHANICSBURG,PENNSYLVANIA For the February 2002 issue, I wrote an article discussing an effective means of achie\'ing an inexpensil'e daralink in the cockpit IIsing a Clobolstar satellite phone system. Since that time, a nllmber of software/CPS \'endors hal'e begun selling similar systems using proprietary access poillls and/or software to provide lI'earher in the cockpit of general aviation aircraft. In fact, noll' there are a number of satellite capabilities including XM. ORBCOMM, Clobolstar and ground-based links using Air Cell cellular phone technology. f you are one of the more technologically progressive members who have already been using Globalstar, there is now an excellent ahernative for GPS/flight planning/COCkpit weather available using your current system. Teletype. a company out of BoslOn. has been providing GPS software fo r some time for groundbased vehicles and boating enthusiasts. They have also provided an adapted version of that software for aviation. However, now with the addition of weather radar overlays and more aviation-capable software, Teletype has entered the market with a package that competes very well with Avidyne, Airuaror and Any-whereMap. Hardware issues If you have a pocket PC handheld computer (iPAQ) and GPS receiver, for ABS February 2004 $200 you can purchase software from Teletype that gives you flight planning, moving map and weather radar and relief overlays. Funher, it can be used out of the cockpit for navigation in your car or boat. It even accepts topographic maps and aerial photos from TerraServer by Microsoft. If you don't have any pan of the hardware required, Teletype offers several bundled packages at competitive pricing. The computer memory required to effectively run this software is quite high. I slOred most of the data necessary for the eastern half of the country in active memory and. including the program itself, I used just over seven megabytes (mb) of space. (The rest of the country and less-used data rest on a storage card.) For some of the newer hardware with 64 mb of storage, seven megabytes would pose no problem. For my older iPAQ with just 32 mb, management of memory is required. With the data loaded for all ai rways, intersections and airpon information on the nonheastern third of the country, when the Teletype software is running, my PDA uses another to mb as it loads various maps into the program, for a tOial of about 17 mb. The advantage of the way this program works, however, is that if you load all of the necessary data for the emire region, the software is not required to retrieve any funher information from slOrage during your trip. One of the keys for Teletype GPS is the flexibility and suppon of many, if not most, GPS receivers. I am using a Garmin eTrex because it has great capability on its own as a ponable unit. It is a great little GPS for hiking or, with its one mb of intemal memory, you can If ou have a PC load 50 waypoints (the rocks, channel markers and fishing spots on your favorite lake). Other supponed receivers include compact flash cards, PCMCIA cards and now Bluetooth units. Getting started As with most software used in the pocket PC environment. your desktop computer becomes the source to download data and files to your PDA. However, unlike some flight-planning software, the Teletype program in your PDA is just as capable for night planning as that in your desktop. So. while in the COCkpit or in your hotel, you can plan, edit and create new trips on the fly. You will still lind that it is more convenient 10 do a 101 of your planning on the desktop because of the size of the display. The software comes from the company either as a download from their website (teletype.com) or on CDs. Currently, they are running a special deal that incl udes six months of software update, six months weather subscription, a checklist program, E6B software and a we ight and balance program, all for $195. Whether using the CD or website, it can load simultaneously to your desktop and PDA. Then from the desktop, you can deternline which maps you wish to transfer to your PDA. I recommend putting most of the maps from your region of the country in the active memory and the rest on your PDA's storage card. The newest version of the software release, due out shonly, combines all of the aviation maps and data into a single huge file instead of regional files. While that makes the program work a bit more simply and efficiently. it can create issues for PDAs with limited memory. handheld com uter and GPS :he Telet e software can ive ou fl1 ht lannln, maVIn rna and weather radar and relIef overlays. urther, It can be used recelverl out of the cockpIt for naVIgatIon In your car or boat· t even accepts topographIc maps and aerIal hatos from TerraServer b Microsoft· <www.bonanza.org> Page 8280 Running the program is fairly intuitive. A small amount of time experimenting will make you proficient enough to hit the ai rways without hours in the manual, which is very limited anyway. Frankly, the software probably has much more capability than you may ever need, so many of its features may remain untapped. Moving map All Victor airways and fixes in the US are held in two files. Loading those, airpen data for your proposed flight, and even a relief map still doesn 't slow down the moving-map presentation. You can touch the item on the screen and an information box will appear with data on the fix, obstacle, special use area or airpon. Airport data includes runway information, lLS data, fuel, navaids, lighting and communication frequencies. It is also possible to do searches of the loaded data for airpons. VORs and fixes for flight planning, editing or for "go to" in the event of being cleared direct or diverting to another airpon. I fmd the inclusion of city and town information clutters the screen, so I have removed the map ("Places') that includes this information. Again, the software is very flexible in map/data management. One of the advantages of including relief information (displayed as typical green to yellow to red to brown color gradation) is that you can set an alarm for average terrain clearance. If you descend below a selected altitude AGL, you will be given a warning. Remember. there is no guarantee made like that of radar altimeters, but it does give an additional safeguard when transiting unfamiliar territory. As with all moving-map presentations, back up your decisions with paper govemment chartS. The moving-map presentation can be set in several modes, including an ERS and an HSI compass rose, with scales of your choice from nationwide for the entire screen width to a scale screen width of about 200 feet. Your flightplanned route appears as a teal-colored Page 8281 line from fix to fix , and your ground track will be recorded as a black trace. The flight-plarmed route can be edited en route in the same fashion it was planned either in tlle PDA or on your desktop. Included on the screen representation of your flight-plan route is heading and distance between waypeints. The Air Nav igation data block includes altitude, speed, track, bearing, cross-track error, time en route and time and distance to go 10 the next waypoint. Uni ts can be set in nautical or statute miles or kilometers. Because of the software's various intended uses, navigation screens can be chosen for marine or streets as well. Radar overlays One of the biggest improvements in moving-map/datalink systems is the capability of providing weather information directly on the map presentation. This provides the pilot with situational awareness in making decisions on continuing a flight or changing routing. Teletype GPS now includes the ability to download ational Weather Service NEXRAD radar images directly into the software as a geocoded map. Therefore. your fI ight path and all other data are still available with the radar image underneath the normal data in the same fashion as relief-map data. You can sct up in the program whether you want to download only the NEXRAD image nearest your position or all NEXRAD sites in the current view. The software will automatically go to your datalink communication connection (Globalstar in my case) and download the images you selected from Teletype's Internet site. An advantage of this process is the reduced time to download compared to getting the same information over a datal ink to the Intemet from normal vendors like National Weather Service, Flightbrief. Weather Channel or AOPA. This reduced time is due to the fact that only a minimum amount of information is being transmitted: tile radar returns and state outlines. Most com<www.bonanza.org> mercially avai lable data, and even WS, includes a huge amount of extraneous information, even advertisements and pop-ups, surrounding the image you really want. A word of caution This new capability we have in the general-av iation cockpit is not designed to provide the kind of weather avoidance used for "picking your way through" thunderstorms sometimes done by larger aircraft with on-board radar. One reason for caution is that the ground-based NEXRAD system processes radar images fairly slowly. It is not uncommon for a WSR-88D radar image from NWS to be at least six minutes old when in Precipitation Mode and 10 minutes when in Clear Air Mode. In areas including building or active thunderstorms, a lot can happen in six minutes. Radar capability in the cockpit should be used for large-scale routing changes to miss all weather and got no-go decisions. Talking to the weatherinterpretation experts at Flight Watch should also back up radar. That said, certainly the ability to visualize weather radar information relative to your current position makes those decisions much easier and more accurate than relying on ly on the verbal picture painted by a single person in a flight service facility with no windows. Changes on the horizon By the time you read this, two new generations of Teletype mapping oftware will likely to have been released, including an IFR version. This type of improvement is included in the software purchase price under an upgrade agreement for six months. I have tested the newest software (122003) under a trial arrangement. It operates in essentially the same manner as the previous version with a couple of exceptions. First, all aviation map data for the USA is held in one 25mb file. The software only retrieves from memory what it needs. As you move across the country on a trip, the software will retrieve ABS February 2004 ". and release data, as necessary. This means you need 10 have the ability to store the 25-mb map file either in active memory (possible with a 64-mb PDA) or a Compact Flash memory card/memory stick that will remain accessible during the flight. The flight planning capability in the new software is improved in that it can use Victor airway routing. Teletype also fixed a glitch in the flight-planning process that would choose an airpon over its accompanying VOR station when they were separated. even if you made a selection under the VOR/fi x data entry point. Finally, they made some items on the Air Navigation data block more clearly defined. Cost A real competitive edge for Teletype GPS. beyond its unusual fl exibility and capability. is cost. The software itself is priced at 195 and at the time I am writing this, includes E6B, weight and balance and checklist programs. Six months of weather subscription is also provided under a download agreement. Ongoing, the weather subscription runs just $40 per year. Most other vendors have subscription prices ranging in the $100 to 600 range, with significantly higher stanup costs. Summar I Technology continues to accelemte at an amazing mte. As pilots, it would be easy for us to miss the opponunity to have access to some great tools in the cockpit while waiting for the next development. One of the best ways to justify almost immediate obsolescence is with low cost, updates and multiple uses. At least, that's what works best in explaining to many spouses. Teletype GPS has brought these tools to the generalaviation community, not for thousands of dollars or even many hundreds-but for under $200! Technology races on Radar, moving map, fli ght planning, terrain clearance information, airpon and navaid data- all at your finger tips. It's hard to imagine what capability we will have in another three or four months! -.@- ................................................................................................................................. Pilot re arts BY CRAIG BAILEY. LINDENHURST. ILLINOIS hen was the last time you called an FSS or En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) on 122.0 MHz and provided them with a complete PlREP? If you are like most pilots, the answer probably is, "It has been some time since my last PfREP:' If you look at computerized weather for PlREPs or call the FSS for a weather briefing, often the pilot repons are sparse, especially along our proposed route and altitude. When we get a weather briefing, the FSS specialist freq uently will request that we make a pilot repon during our trip. They are required to make that request when forecasted ceilings are below 5,000 feet, visibi lity is at or below 5 miles, thunderstonns. light icing, turbulence of moderate degree or greater and wind shear is forecast. I am sure each of us has planned a trip and, after getting a weather briefing and filing our flight plan . we still have that little bit of doubt about the trip. What can I really expect on the trip as far as turbulence, cloud tops, icing conditions. etc.? Pilot repons can provide an excellent source of infonnation on current conditions. ABS February 2004 We do need to view pilot repons carefully. What is the time of the repon? Weather does change and we should not rely on a PIREP that is more than three hours old. Next. look at the type of equipment that reponed the weather. If you are looking at icing conditions experienced by a Boeing, it may be significantly different than what our Bonanza or Baron will experience in the same weather due to weight, speeds and climb rates. Weather is one of the leading causes of pilot-related serious accidents for Bonanzas. Barons and the comparison aircraft group, causing approximately 25 percent of those accidents. If all of us made more frequent pilot repons, perhaps we could help reduce these numbers. AOPA has an on- line weather-spotter class at <www.aopa.org/asf/skyspotter>. The program reviews cloud types, turbulence, etc. and takes about 20 minutes to complete. I found it was fun and a good review. In addition 10 reporting weather factors, many of you have GPS units that aUow you to determine wind direction and velocity. A typical pilot report might look like this: ua/ov enw/tm 18001 f180/tp be35 / sk clear/w x 10sm/ta 20/wv 18040 / tb neg/ic neg Irm north boundThe decoded pilot report says: The pilot reported over Kenosha, Wisconsin, at noon at 8.000 feet in a Beech 35. no clouds, visibility was 10 miles, winds were from 180 at 40, no turbulence, no ice, the pilot was nonhbound. (Life is good.) Making pilot reports can be fun and you will be helping your fellow pilots by giving them the current weather conditions. Make it a point on your next fli ght to make a PI REP. <www.bononzo.org> -.@- Page 8282 z o s: Nominees for ABS Board James Sok, ABS Secretary: As Chairman of the ABS Nominat ing Committee, which also includes Bill Caner and Mike Hoeffler, I am pleased to provide the following candid3les for nomination to the ABS Board of Directors. The vacancies to be fi lled are due to tenn expirations in September 2004. Direcrors serve three~year terms and may be fe-elected for one additional three-year term. AREA I - Second Term - James E. Sok, Lakeville, Connecticut. Representing Connecticut, Delaware, Marne, z (i) o o s: s: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York. Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vennont. AREA 2 - First Term - George Girton, Valparaiso, Indiana. Representing Indiana. Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, Washington, D.C .. West Virgin ia. Canada and all foreign countries except Mexico. AREA 4 - Second Term - Craig R. Bailey, Lindenhurst. Illinois. Representing Illinois, Iowa. Missouri. Minnesota and Wi scon sin. In addition to the above nominees, names of olher eligible members may be submined by general membership petition in accordance with Anicle U(7) of the ABS Bylaws. Respectjii/ly sllblllilled. Jack Threadgill, Chairmall JAMES E. SOK, AREA I nominee, describes his interest in av iat ion as a lifelong one. Beginning with flyable model airplanes as a child, Jim progressed to a commercial pilol's ..... ..... m license. an instrumcill rating and more than 1,200 flight hours. He has been a pilot since 1970 and an aircraft owner for the last 15 years. He used to own an A36 but is now the proud owner of an F33A. Jim has been a member of ABS since owning his first Bonanza. an F33A. Since joining the Society, he has enthusiastically participaled in ASS act ivities, includ ing annual conventions, service clinics, BPPP and the ABS tent at Oshkosh. :::c management and an MBA. He served for 12 years as president and CEO of a hospital that was pan of an in tegrated health system. Later he was an executi ve with a nalional architec tural! engineering finn which speciali zed in hospital and medical m m ." o :::u I Jim has a degree in pharmacy, a masters in health carc building design and construction. He is an executive vice pres- ident, operations, of an integrated health care system in northeastern Pennsylvania. Jim is a director of a number of corporate and community service boards. He and his wife Debra li ve in Lakev ille, Connecticut. GEORGE GIRTO , AREA 2 nominee. describes his early auachment to av iation as "hanging on the fence at a small rural airport attempting to bum rides with the local heroes (pilots}." Propelled by his persistent desire to learn to fly, George earned his private certificate in 1973. Since then, he has acquired an instrument rating ( 1985); a commercial pilot cenificate (1986); and a multiengine rating (1996). He has logged more than 3,000 hours and has been an ABS member since the mid . 80s. George reports that his wife Bonnie is an enthusiastic supporter and participant in his passion for flying. ow the proud owner of his fifth airplane, a P-Baron. George uses it in the pursuit of their famil y-owned fundraising business. "Even if it's for business, it's always a pleasure," he says. The business is conveniently located on the Porter County Airport where his aircraft is hangared. As a member of the Midwest, Nonh East and Southeast regional groups, George and Bonnie can see old friends and make new friends almost anywhere they fly. Their two daughters are also involved with the day-to-day operations of the business. "II 's a good life," George says. "I am exc ited and honored to be considered for the ABS board and I will help in any way I can." ... ... ......... . ... - ......... . CRA IG R. BAILEY, AREA 4 nominee, has been a pilot since 1972 and currently holds a multiengine ATP certificate. He is a Gold Seal flight instructor for airplanes. instruments and multiengine, holds both advanced and instrument ground instructor certificates, and is an FAA Aviation Safety Counselor. He has been affi liated with the BPPP since 1990. Craig is based in Chicago. where he serves as (he benefit manager for Kraft Foods. He is also an active flight instruc(Qr, providing about 200 hours of dual instruction annually, almost exclusively in Beech products. Craig owns an S35 and previously owned a C35 as well as an H35. He has logged almost 8.000 hours with nearl y 2800 of them in Beech products. He also is a past pres ident of the Midwest Bonanza Society. Craig's formal education includes a BS in Industrial Admi nistration and an MBA in Labor Relation s. He and his wi fe Connie reside in Lindenhurst, Illinois. Aviation insurance industry urges caution M The followin g tips are presented at many safety seminars and are certainly worth reviewing: Be fami liar with your aircraft. If you are renting or borrowing an aircraft, do not wait until the day of the flight to read or refresh yourself on the pilot handbook and logs. Make sure all instruments are working properly. ost av iation safety experts and insurance claims adj usters agree that the hurry to get home puts pilots and their passengers at a higher risk during the winter months. It seems that many accidents occur on a Use as many weather-forecasting sources as possible. Get Sunday after a beautiful Friday. Many times it is on those a weather briefing that includes regional conditions in addiSundays that pilots will be involved in an accident while tion to your specific route. Know where the front s are. trying to fl y back home in bad weather. Have a Plan B and the will to use it. It is beller to get Invest igators find that all severe accidents are disturbthere late than not get there at all. ing, but none more so than during the months of winter and early spring which often involve fami lies on holiday or Listen to all weather information during your flight. Ask spring break from school. These accidents seem to be the Flight Watch for reports from pilots who have been fault of poor judgment brought on by the condition referred where you are fl ying. If there are no reports, that might to as "get-home-itis.'· This condition All severe accidents are dis- be a big hint that the weather there is comes on those of us who might be not good. away from home and feel the urgent turbing, but none more so • Be conservative; do not fly extremeneed to return. than those during holidays ly long legs between airports because When thi s cond ition affects a your aircraft has the range. Final pilot 's decision 10 press on into poor involving poor judgment approach is the worst place to be overweather conditions, a deadly game of brought on by "get-homely tired. Russian roulette may occur. In most sit- itis: This condition comes • If you are the passenger, do not be uations a pilot's beller judgment indion those of us who are afraid to challenge the pilot who wants cates waiting a day or even just a few hours to avoid poor weather. But a few away from home and feel to pre son. Don't let someone make a bad decision that gets you killed. will take a chance to get home a lillie the urgent need to return. early, and end up making a fatal mistake. • File a fli ght plan and update your Many accident investigators coming 10 a crash scene position with Flight Watch throughout the flight. find that the weather is clear and the sun is shining the day If you should fl y into heavy weather, do not hesitate to do after the accident. If only these unfortunate pilots had a 180 and get out of the situation quickly. There is no diswaited, they could be around to enjoy the good weather. It is in turning back and finding a safe place to wait out grace for this reason that federal officials, pilots groups and the the weather. aviation insurance industry are making every effort 10 both educate and remind pilots to think twice before fl ying into Before GPS came along, most pilots would tum around bad weather. Safety advocates hope this will help to continwhen they could not see their checkpoints along the rOllte. ue the downward trend in accidents for general aviation Many pilots will now press on during the flight until they get into trouble. The GPS is a great tool, but it will not tell the during 2004. Although each accident is different, the common thread pilot which way is up and this has led to some fatal accidents. that runs through most is the limited amount of instrument It is reasonable to bel ieve that most pilots do not die in training and experience of the pilot. For some, it is only an aircraft accident the fi rst time they make a fooli sh deciwhen pi lots are placed in a life or death situation that they sion. Most pilots have made the same mistake more than once and gotten away with it because they were just plain become truly aware that the proficient use of the cockpit lucky. These pilots may be betting their life or the lives of instruments is the only way to survive the flight. their passengers that they can pull it off one more time. At Studies show the survi val time for noninstrument-rated some point in their future , they may run out of airspeed, altipilots who find themselves in instrument conditions is under tude, ideas and luck-all at the same time. three minutes. It is not much longer for pilots who are not instrument-proficient or find that their instruments have Falcon Insurance is the agency for the official ABS insurance program. John Allen may be reached al 1-8IJO.259-4ABS (4227). Falcon 'S websile is malfunctioned. ~. folconinsuronce. com>. engine hot starts don' t fly fuel-injected engines anymore. but for a number of years I flew C206!2 10/31 0 airplanes and had a good method for gelling the hot engine started with only about two or three seconds of cranking the engine most of the time. The carbureted "E" engine needs a slightly different approach than a multi -port fuel injection system when making hot starts. The "E" system with the PS 5C carb is really a single-point fuel injection system-an early example of thrOltie body fuel injection such as used on some late model autos. The PS 5C will begin spraying fuel when fuel pressure is supplied by the wobble pump or an aux electric pump; that is, unless the mixture control is in the cutoff or full-aft position. I Try this test As a test to demonstrate this, pressurize the fuel system with the throttle open about one-fourth inch. as it would be for starting, and observe the fuel draining from the drain tube that protrudes from the lower right cowl skin. This drain rube is extremely critical to the safety of the fuel system. It all aches to the carb air -inlet elbow and drains excess primer fue l overboard. The short section of quarterinch rubber hose that connects the aluminum tube to the carb air-inlet elbow gets hard with age and, as the engine moves in the engine mounts, will slip off the nipple welded into the airinlet elbow. If that happens, raw fuel wi ll spill onto the top of the nose wheel well structure and- if the engine backfires during start-the fuel will ignite inside the cowl. Not a good thing. Anyhow, back to observing the fuel running out the drain tube after pressurizing the fuel system. This large amount of fuel (several tablespoons in three or four seconds) is enough to flood a hot engine, and no amount of cranking wi ll result in an engine start under a flooded condition. Once flooded, the best method to un-flood the beast and complete the start is to pull the mixture to fu ll cutoff, open the throttle about 25 percent, crank the engine until it fires (usually within three or four seconds) and then swap mixture and throllie positions while simultaneously pumping the wobble pump. Pickpockets and sleight-of-hand artists are better at this procedure than most of us average folks. So the best thing to do is not flood the engine in the first place! The best procedure I've found-and which works great for all my flying buddies-is: ( I) turn the mag switch to both; (2) turn on the fuel selector to fullest main tank; (3) open throttle one-fourth inch: (4) check mixture full rich; (5) turn on master/generator switches; (6) engage starter; (7) only when engine fires (which should be the first cylinder), apply fuel pressure with the wobble pump (not until it fires); (8) observe fuel pressure after stopping wobble-pump operation. The reason fuel pressure should not be .applied before the engine starts is due to the hot carburetor "percolating" enough fuel into the induction system to load it up to a combustible mixture. If any additional fuel is added via pumping before the engine starts the result will be a flooded engine. This method of start seems to work great for several hours after shutdown, depending somewhat on outside air temperature. If an engine-driven fuel pump is heat-soaked, erratic fuel pressure may result for the first several minutes of engine operation. This can occur with avgas or auto fuel. The fuel pressure may be erratic and as low as five psi and the engine will still run satisfactorily. As long as the trend is toward increasing fuel pressure, the vapor-lock condition is being cleared up by the relatively cool fuel being fed through the pump. The two main things to remember are: Don't supply any fuel pressure until the engine fires and be sure the fuel is turned on. There is nothing that will prompt one to make unflattering comments about one's own mental capacity than to have the engine fire up and wobble pump like hell with no resultant fuel pressure because the fuel selector is off! I know. I've done it. One more thing: Even though I have an electric boost pump installed, I do not use it for any starting procedure. r do test it on a regular basis after engine start, however, so when the TF 1900 dri ve pin goes south, I won't have to wobblepump to a landing. -ABS member Lewis C. Gage has ATP mulfiengine fand with Boeing l071720!747IAirbu5-310 ratings. Commercial single engine land: flight instructor MEl/SEL airplanes and instruments; ground instructor advanced and instrument; flight navigator: flight engineer; mechanic-airplane and engine: and FAA parts manufacturing authorization. Flight time: IS.ODO-plus hours. Lew may be contacted at 2255 Sunrise Dr.. Rena, NV 89509. Phane/Fax: 775·8267184. E-mail: [email protected] .............................................................................................................................. HOT START UNDER PRESSURE One time. after landing in Houston for the ABS Convention several years ago, Itaxied over to the lineup of Bonanzas at the tiedown area to get fuel. Ialways like to fuel as soon as possible offer landing. I tell the fuel truck operator. "I'll open 'em up: you fill'em up and I'll close 'em up: Nobody gets offended and I know exactly what I've got. Well, offer fueling, which took about 30 weather had been 20 degrees cooler, I would minutes from shutdown. I was ready to start still have felt the heat of the moment. up and taxi across the field to a hangar I'd Well, I did all the steps one thtough arranged for. About 20 people I know were eight. The engine turned over about one revostanding around watching. Engine and every- lution and started. I wobbled like mad for thing real hot: outside air temp about 90 about a second or two, then looked up and degrees and a big audience. Sam James was outside to see Sam grinning like hell. I gave by the left wing tip. along with a bunch of him a victory thumbs-up and taxied off into other familiar faces. Talk about pressure! If the the sunset. REGIONAL NEWS -~ ~ --- ---- - - - ----- - _. - - -----.- --------- Pacific Bonanza Society PBS offers two great events in March. The first is a flight with the Baja Bush Pilots to Mulege, Mexico, for a weekend of whale watching March 4 -7. This event sold out shortly after bei ng announced, but there are always lastminute cancellations. Call Stephen Blythe (949 951-4857) to be put on a waiting list. On March 26 we wi ll land at the North Las Vegas airport for a weekend exploring the natural wonders of Death Valley and all Las Vegas has to offer. PBS negotiated a reduced room rate with the Boardwalk Hotel & Casino ($ 125 plus tax per night) located right in the middle of the action-between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo and across from Paris, Aladdin and MGM Grand. It 's the best location in Vegas with exciting views of the glitz and glamour on the Strip. A cocktail hour and banquet on Friday wi ll allow us to renew acquaintances and review the schedule for Saturday when we fly to Death Valley's Furnace Creek Ranch. After lunch there, we depart for a long guided tour of lower Dealh Valley. Golfers can opt to play the lowest golf course in the world (2 14 feet below sea level) and horseback riding is also available. Upon our return to the airport late Saturday afternoon, we will return to the Boardwalk Hotel. The evening is yours to enjoy. Make your reservations now for the shows you want to see. View a complete itinerary and sign up for this event at the PBS website <www.pac ificbonanza.org>. Book your accommodations at the Boardwalk along with your meal at the Furnace Creek Ranch by contacting our PBS travel agent (909-553-5475) or <ADELEON@HOTMAl L.COM>. Reservations must be made through this travel agent to take advantage of the PBS reduced room rate. Don ' t delay ... make your reservations right away. --DGI'id LiSleI' For those that didn't attend the Freeport Bahamas Experience (4-7 Dec 2003), you missed a chance for a quiet, relaxing weekend. With snow falling over most of the East Coast and cool to down right cold temps moving into the deep South, some 20 members and guests were enjoying the pools ide delivery of Bahama Momma drinks, sunshine, and a post card view to write home about. Even the unusual tropical storm south of Jamaica knew better than to intrude on our gathering. We welcomed four members from the onheast Bonanza Group as they just barely escaped the winter storm to join our getaway. As they do every year, Harvey and Denise Kreigsman did a superb job at finding just the right resort with more amenities than we could ever explore over the weekend. The pool seemed to be the big draw as waml temperatures and sun melted away any thoughts of snow. The large Bazaar, just across the street from the reson, held an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. For those not going to the casino or on a moonlight walk on the beach, there were several hours each night of live entertainment presented in the amphitheater. With the whole area decorated with Christmas lights and ornaments, it was just like home, but we were wearing short-sleeved shins and shortS. Saturday night came too quickly, but then the huge seafood buffet took our minds off of having to go home. The food bar covered the entire length of the restaurant and had four different food areas. The close-out to the fly-in was our drawing for the exciting selection of prizes. Sunday dawned with mostly blue sky and some clouds topping out at 7,000 feet. With flight plans filed , we took off for the mainland. For those more accustomed to Florida temps in the 80s, the 60s that greeted us at Ft. Pierce was a shock. However, for those of us who were headed in a more nonherly direction, 60 degrees was the warmest we would see fo r the next several months. Many members are already looking ahead to our next Caribbean trip, in December. -Jay Wilson ---@- ASS Fe b ruary 2004 <www.bononzo.org> The SEBS group in December-in the Bahamas! Southeast Bonanza Society Page 8286 ~l:<~. ORLANDO soc,,, EllUl IOIANU SEPTEM BER 8-12 ......__======2. (OJtY(IT10. F-cBRUARY 22-25 - ABS Service Clinic. Poducoh, Kentucky (KPAH). Midwest Aviation Services. Contact: ABS HQ 316-945-1700, or visit <www.bonanza.org>. 13-15 - North East Bonanza Society Winter-tude Fty-in. Ottawa, Ontario.Contact: Dennis Pharoah 613-825-4405. MAY 19-22 - ASS Service Clinic. Lontano, Florida (KLNA) Windward A~ation. Contact: ABS HQ 316-945-1700, or sign up at <W\WI.bonanza.org>. 7-9 - Midwest Bonanza Society Fty-in. Rough River, Kentucky. For reservations, call 1-800-3251713. Contact Carol Olson 727-391-9156. MARCH 8 - Regional B20sh Formation Practice Session . New Bedford, Massachusetts (EWB). For details, visit <www.b20sh.org>. 4-7 - Pacific Bonanza Society Fly-in. Mulege. Mexico. Wailing list. EI GollitO/Hatel Serenidad (airstrip). Contact: Stephen Blythe 949-951-4B57; email <[email protected]>. 14-16 - North East Bonanza Society Fly-in. Farmington, Pennsylvania. Nemacolin Woods. Contact: Steven Oxman 410-956-3080. 5-7 - BPPP Ctinic. San Antonia, Texas (SAT). Contact: BPPP registration oHice 970-377-1877 or fax 970-377-1512. 14-16 - BPPP Clinic. Columbus, Ohio (CMH). Contact: BPPP registration office 970-377-1877 or fax 970-377-1512. 11-14 - ABS Service Clinic. Spring. Texas (KDWH; Houston area) Beaver Air Services. Contact: ABS HQ 316-945-1700, or sign up at <www.bonanza.org>. 14-16 - Southwest Bonanza Society Fly-in . Fredericksburg, Texas. Hosts; Randy Taylor, Man Reedy & Roy Lewis. The Hangar Hotel. Admiral Nimitz Museum. Contact; Randy Taylor 830-625-6155; or Man Reedy 210-354-2100. 13 - North East Bonanza SOCiety. Millville, New Jersey. Contact: Victor Plumbo 856-825-0305. 15-31 - Pacific Bonanza SOCiety Air Safari. Sonta Fe to the Caribbean. Sonia Fe. New Mexico (KSAF). Conloct: Bill Zander 626-335-4490; e-mail <[email protected]>, Or visit <www.pacificbonanza,org>. 19-21 - BPPP Clinic. Greensboro, North Carolina (GSa). Contact: BPPP registration oHice 970377-1877 or fax 970-377-1512. 20 -Southwest Bonanza Society Fly-In. Lancaster, Texas. Air Salvage 01 Dallas. Lucky Louque. Canlacl: James Sliles at 918-640·7817 or Gene Keyt at 817·5783163. 22-23 - Bonanza Formation Mini Clinic. Grayson County Airport. Sherman, Texas. For details visit <www.b20sh.org>. 26-28 - Pacitic Bonanza Society Fly-in. Death Valley/Las Vegas, Nevada. North Las Vegas (KVGT). Contact: Roger Murray 775-746-1566. Or visit <WWW.pacificbonanzo,org>. 26-29 - Bonanza Formation Clinic. Grayson County Airport. Sherman, Texas. For details, visit <www.b20sh.org>. .JUNE APRIL 11-13 - 8PPP Clinic _ Spokane, Washington (SFF). Contact: BPPP registration office 970-377-1877 or fax 970-377-1512. 1-4 - Bonanza!Baron Museum Groundbreaking.Tuliahoma, Tennessee (THA). Multi'regionol Fly·in with SWBS, NEBG, PBS, SEBS, RMBS & MWBS. Hasl; Harold Bast at 770-719-0638, or ~sn <WW>'I.stoggerwing.COm>. SW8S:James Stiles 918-640-7817 SE8S: Troy Branning 305-378-8669. Or visrt <www.sebs.org>. 11-13- North East Bonanza Society Fly-in . B&B Weekend. Bar Harbor, Maine. Contact: Phil Divirgilio 207-288-4970. 18-20 - Southwest Bonanza SOCiety Fty-in . Rockport, Texas & Aransas Co. Hosl: Gene Johnson. Aransas Wildlife Refuge. Morilime Museum, AircroH Corrier. Contact: Gene Johnson 361-790·0141 ; Jerry Dunn 361·463-9688; or James Sliles 918·640-7817. 13-19 - North East Bonanza Society Fly-in. Sun 'n Fun & River Ranch . Contact: John Mendes 802-253-8030. 13-19 - Sun 'n Fun 24-27 - Southeast Bonanza Society Fly-in . Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (MQI). Contact Troy Branning 305-378-8669. Visit <www.sebs.org>. 16-18 - BPPP Clinic. Fresno, Calilornia (FAT). Contact: BPPP registration office 970-377-1877 or fax 970-377-1512. .................................. .................. . .................. .... 24-27 - Pacific Bonanza Society Fly-in. Jackson Hole. Wycming (KJAC). Grand Telon & Yellowstone Porks. Conlocl: Slephen Blythe 949-951-4857; e-mail <[email protected]>. Or visit <www .pacificbononzo.org>. 25-27- Rocky Mountain Bonanza Society Fly-in. Fort Coliins, Colorado (3V5). Contact: Scott or Nancy Gale <[email protected]>970-224-5457. Or visit <www.rmbss.org>. 25-7 - Bonanza Formation Flying Mini Clinic. Redmond, Oregon. Qualify for B20sh. Full info., study materials, and registration form at <http;/Iwww.b20sh.org/RDM_clinic.htm> or contact Art Brock at <[email protected]>. .JULY 18- North East Bonanza Society Fly-in. Flying Circus. Bealeton, Virginia. Warrington-Fauquier Airport. Contact: Rich Campbell 610-678-0942. 23-25- Pacific Bonanza Society Fly-in. Glacier Nolionol Pork. Kalispell, Montano (KFCA). Contocl: Dean and linda Eldridge 360-659-6641 ; e-mail <[email protected]>. Or visit <WWW.pocificbo- nooza.org>. 27-Aug . 2 - AirVenture. Oshkosh , Wisconsin . AUGUST 14 - North East Bonanza Society Fly-in . Battlefield Tours. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Contact: Mike McNamara 856-768-6730. 5-B - Southeast Bonanza Society Fly-in. Boston, Massachusetts (LWM). Contact Richard Beede 978-475-7343 or Troy Branning 305-378-8669. Or visit <www.sebs.org>. 13-15 - Rocky Mountain Bonanza Society Fly-in . Yellowstone National Park. Old Faithful Inn. Contact: Steve or Judy Walenz <jwalenz@aol .com> 402-393-2844. Or viSIT <www.mnbss.org>. SEPTEMBER 5-19 - Pacific Bonanza Society Fly-In. HisloricAir Sofari. From Coeur d'Alene. Idaho 10 East Coosl including Kitty Hawk and bock 10 Monlerey, Colifornia. Rendezvous point is Coeur D'Alene. Idaho (KCOE). Contact; Slephen Walker 425-867· 9443; <[email protected]>. Or visit <www.pocificbononza.org>. 8-12 - ABS Annual Convention & Meeling. Orlando, Florida. .." ........................................................................................................................................... . For funher detail and more events, visit the calendar on the ABS website <www,bonanza.org>. To odvertise In thBABS Magazine. contacl John Shoemaker 011-800.773-7798, ext. 3317. To place a classified ad, use the online form ot <www.bonanzQ.org>.click on Marietploce. Or call 1-316-945-1700. True Flow 5 0 0 TSQ'dandsTc'd Save on installation cost and panel space with Insight's NEW True Flow 500 Sensor Computer with GPS interface. True Flow 500 is a new concept in fuel flow computers. True Flow 500 is designed to give pilots a simple and efficient way of reading fuel information directly on the GPS fuel pages . True Flow 500 eliminates tedious installation and set-up procedures that are required for other fuel flow computers. Install True Flow 500 on top of the engine and connect fuel lines, GPS power, ground and RS232 RX input. There is no K- factor to set-up, no switches to turn and no jumpers to remove or add . Turn on the GPS, enter total fuel on board and immediately you will have accurate fuel information . True Flow Features: First fuel flow computer that does not use up valuable panel space. First fuel flow computer with automatic compensation for K-factors. (no calibration required). True Flow 500 computes fuel flow rate , total fuel used and transmits data through a serial interface directly to the GPS. True Flow 500 communicates with the GPS using well known serial protocols that are supported by most of the general aviation GPS manufacturers. First fuel flow computer fully installed in the engine compartment. (no additional equipment required, works directly with the GPS ) First fuel flow computer to eliminate "ground problems" (common-mode voltages superimposed on the ground wire that reduces SNR of the fuel flow computer) First fuel flow computer to providing a visual indication of both power and flow rate (LED). ~. CYSN Simple and short installation reduces installation cost to a fraction of what is typical for other fuel flow computers. Call now for pricing 905-871-0733 Fa 905-871-5460 Web: WN'N.inslghtavionics.com 861 16.0: 53' 56.41 9. 29.21 0150 521 819~ Response Code 35 IIII IIIIIIIII IIIIIII I IIIII II IIIIIII I IIIIIII II IIIII IIIII III III I IIII IIII A FEW REASONS WHY OUR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE VERY IMPORTANT TO YOU: TREE TOPS, SHORT FIELD TAI{EOFFS, AND THE ROCKIES. IIIIII IIIIII II IIIII III IIIIIII IIIIIII I IIIIIIIII IIIIII IIII IIII IIIIIII IIII When blueprinters say they can out-blueprint factory specs, factory new and factory rebuilt engines are built under the same their dirty little secret is that they're not really saying they kinds of quality control systems as those used to bu ild today's finest can do it better than the factory. And if they tell you they can, luxury automobiles. After that, we put each individual engine then you should ask, "How can the typical overhaul and repair through a computerized checkout that ensures it performs to shop compete with the factory's $50 million computer-controlled new eng ine specifications. manufacturing facility?" If you want to overhaul your current engine, we have a factory· backed option for that too - a TCM premium overhaul at one of fACTORY • Out-of-the-boK new engine • World- beating factory Quality our Teledyne Mattituck Service Centers. You get the backing of the NEW ENGI NE • 3-year, 1000 hour warranty factory along with the experience and reputation for service that1s f ACTORY REB UILT • Zero- hour Logbook • Factory replacement parts Fits & clearances to factory new specs made Mattituck the largest overhauler of both Continental and ENGIN E MATTITUCK PREMIUM OVERHAUL • 1-year, 500 hour warranty • pre.iu. Quality by Mattituck • Factory- trained & properly equipped technicians • Factory - backed warranty by Mattituck Lycoming engines. We know the mission our engines face and everything in our power we have done to ensure they successfully complete that mission. So whether you choose to replace your engine with It's not that some blueprinters aren't fine craftsmen, it's just a factory new or rebuilt engine or have your current engine that they can' t hope to compete with a factory full of million overhauled at one of our factory-backed service centers - you ' ll dollar, computer·controlled manufacturing machines. That's why know you're flying behind the best engine in general aviation. they call them million dollar, computer-controlled manufacturing For more information on how you can order a newl rebuilt or machines. These machines can fabricate engine parts to within 125 factory·backed overhauled engine, please call 1·888·826·5465 millionths of an inch, or 25 times thinner than this page. That's or log onto TCMlink.com. what we call "blueprintingl/. Our manufacturing systems can simply provide manufacturing accuracy and consistency beyond the capability of the equipment in conventional overhaul shops. And no one, no matter what they tell you, can " blueprintfl engine components like the factory. We back this up by ensuring both our CONTINENTAL MOTORS www.tcmlink.com • 888-8U,·54b5