None Union Mechanic

PLANE Talk with the

Ol' Crop Duster

Take time to just plane talk with an Ol' Crop Duster that's been around almost a hundred years and he'll tell you hangar tales until you leave or he falls asleep!  Funny thing about those ol crop dusters though, they've been around so long they seem to have the answers for everything!

BUILDERS TIPS

• Markku Salminen: This is a great example of record keeping while building an aircraft.
• T88 System III Spec Sheet 
• FAA Advisory Circular 43-13, Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices
• Biplane Forum
• WoodFinder.com
• EAA Aircraft Techniques: Wood Great book on using wood in building
• PublicLumber.com

Have a question? Submit to bluebird@bluebirdaerodrome.com or use the Contact Us page to submit your comment or question. 

QUESTION

The Crop Duster would like to know: What interest is there (by pilots) about being able to an fly electric ultralight with one hour flight time, if this type of aircraft was available.

Pilot Question on airplane maintenance

Hey Ol' Crop Duster:

My Champ’s carburetor has been acting up lately (we have a lot of trees around our airport and an airplane looking for a drink of fuel while landing is not a good thing!).

Am I allowed by the FAA to remove the carburetor on the champ myself (even though I am a weekend airplane mechanic and not certified), then give it to my A&P mechanic to overhaul? I would also then have him (the certified mechanic) or another certified mechanic reinstall it. Since I am not repairing the carburetor and then flying the airplane without inspection, am I in violation of those "fix it yourself rules?”

Champer

Answer

Weeeell, Champer, here is what the FAA rules say:

An aircraft owner that has the skills, tools and maintenance instructions for the aircraft may remove/ install components (perform maintenance) on his or her aircraft under the supervision of a properly FAA certificated person. 14 CFR 43.3 (d)

 It is the responsibility of the aircraft owner to have a FAA certificated person, inspect, test, and make a record of work performed, and return the aircraft to service.

14 CFR 43.5, 43.7, and 43.9

14 CFR 43 Appendix A, ( c )    preventive maintenance  (1)- (32).

14 CFR 43.7, (f)   A person holding at least a private pilot certificate may approve an aircraft for return to service after performing preventive maintenance under the provisions of §43.3(g).

Any person may disassemble an aircraft. 

The 14 CFRs listed above covers the return to service.