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Turbines are Ruining Aviation
Turbines are Ruining Aviation
We must get rid of turbine engines. They have ruined aviation. We need to go back to big round engines. Anybody can start a turbine, you just need to move a switch from "OFF" to "START" and then remember to move it back to "ON" after a while. My computer is more difficult to start.
Cranking a round engine requires skill, finesse and style. On some planes, the pilots are not even allowed to do it. Turbines start by whining for a while, then give a small lady-like poot and start whining louder. Round engines give a satisfying rattle-rattle, click-click BANG, more rattles, another BANG, a big macho belch or two, more clicks, a lot of good smelling smoke and finally a serious low pitched roar. We like that. It's a guy thing.
When you start a round engine, your mind is engaged and you can concentrate on the flight ahead. Starting a turbine is like flicking on a ceiling fan: Useful, but hardly exciting. Turbines don't break often enough, leading to aircrew boredom, complacency and inattention. A round engine at speed looks and sounds like it's going to blow at any minute. This helps concentrate the mind. Turbines don't have enough control levers to keep a pilot's attention. There's nothing to fiddle with during the flight. Turbines smell like a Boy Scout camp full of Coleman lanterns. Round engines smell like God intended flying machines to smell.
I think I hear the nurse coming down the hall. I gotta go.
Today was the day I was to take our local mayor and his wife for a nice anniversity flight around the area. We all got in, buckled up and when I cranked the engine it would not even kick. It was primed and I counted 4 blades and nothing. This is a first. So we took the flight in the A36 and all was well.
I flew it Sunday with no problems at all, so what is the likely culprit? Ignition switch, electrics, fuel, what? It has a nearly new points, condensor and coil and the mag has never not worked. I'm leaning toward ignition problems but have no clue for sure. I can't work on it until next week but I'm just wondering.
I had to be in Phoenix this weekend (I'm based in Santa Rosa, CA, 50 miles north of SFO) and after checking airline fares for two, mapped out the trip on Foreflight. The 1200 mile trip would cost me about the same in fuel, as airline fair for two. That made it an easy choice. On Friday flew KSTS to KPHX in under 5 hours with a quick fuel/bathroom stop. That saved me a two hour drive to the city, parking, security, waiting, boarding, waiting, ect. Of the airlines. Door to door, I beat the airlines. At Skyharbor, Swift Aviation treated us like we came in a Jet, several line personnel to grab bags, take care of the plane, waived ramp fee with fuel purchase and had us delivered down town, along with several questions and complements on the airplane. They did not even care that I left an oil stain on there ramp. The next afternoon they had the airplane under the shade canopy! Very nice touch for preflighting and while calling clearance delivery and ground.
On the way home, stopped Saturday night at Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley. (L06) and flew Death Valley the next day on departure. Fuel and a snack in Bishop, (more comments and complements about the airplane) before sight seeing Yosemite on the way home. All in all a great trip for less then the airlines, a stop at a national park, and two days of wonderful sights.
That why I love GA and especially the 195. ( thanks Dad).
The picture is of Half Dome snapped with my IPad. If you have never been in that area, come to the 195 flyin we have each year at Columbia, and do an early AM flight over Yosemite.
Regarding the Pesco 3V-195 suction relief valve for the vacuum system: Is there an inlet and outlet on this device, or are the 3/8 pipe thread connections interchangeable? The connections don't sem to be marked. I'm thinking this is just a case where a needle valve allows more air from the screen to reduce the vacuum. If this isn't the case, does anyone know which connection goes to the vacuum pump and which goes to the instruments?
Some months back I asked for leads on EDO 3430 floats and rigging and someone replied that they had a pair of fins, I believe that it was Terry Robertson- I am still looking for the complete package but would like to at least find the fins, if anyone has a lead on them.
Thanks for the prompt replies guys- very much appreciated.
Yes, tried all those suggestions but the key to think about is-----
at cruise this random pulsing develops, not to any pattern and not as you might expect from a gear pump but random and the oil pressure tends to drop away a few psi. This all happens at 1800rpm and cruise pitch (mid range). Keep in mind the oil pressure is maintained by a gear pump with a classic relief valve associated and when reducing power without changing the pitch (engine revs) the oil pressure rises and ceases to pulse. ie reduced power produces original stable and constant oil pressure. Why is this only happening in cruise at mid pitch range?
So here we are, our last nite together in Galveston. We have spent the last week exploring Texas from Austin to Galveston along with parts in between. A 65th birthday was celebrated with dueling pianos and some adult libations. (BTW it was Will). Houston Space Centre and the original Mission Control were fabulous. Galveston has not disappointed us either.
Tomorrow we are off to Conroe for the famous Atkinson Mud Bug Boil. Pat has assured a us great time.
We are all looking forward to the next Caravan. Y'all come back next year!
I fly a lycoming R680-13 which develops a fluctuating oil pressure when at cruise (1800rpm) 23 inches MP and once at cruise oil temp (140F) but which immediately goes away when I reduce power without altering revs. During the cruise the pressure also drops 5-10 psi from take off pressure but then returns to the original pressure when the power is reduced. Can anyone throw some light on the cause of this problem and , more importantly, advise a remedy?
Any advise would be most definitely appreciated.
I need to take wings off a 195. Does anyone have experience and advice? Bolts are ready to be undone. Just wondering if someone else's advice and wisdom will assist. Thank you.
I'm looking for the top of the instrument panel interior piece. That goes right under winsheild on the inside of airplane. The problem is I have never seen one with out covering on it, so I cant even make one. Anyone have one they want to part with? Give me a call or email me. 901-210-6641 Darren
Will be installing Radial Engines Spitfire ignition system next week on my W-670-23 Any pointers or experiences? Also appreciate tips on any method to seal out moisture from Battery distributor. Thanks, Bill Tergerson N9337A
Our EAA Chapter 822 had its annual Young Eagles fly-in last Saturday. We were trying to beat our record from last year of 204 kids flown. The weather cooperated nicely with a high overcast and cool morning. We flew our first flight at 9.00 am and by 3.00 pm we ran out of kids, our total was 238 for a new record. The whole event ran smoothly with no mishaps or other problems. It was so successful we're thinking of doing it again in the fall
I've attached a 30 second video of N3089B taking off, slight bragging here, but it was the best landing I ever made.
The International 195 2013 Convention site is Tupelo, Mississippi. The dates this year is September 26-29, 2013. Mark your Calendars and don't Miss it.
Ms. Leslie has a weeks worth of stuff planned and only a long weekend to do it. Watch the website for more details and registration information.
195AB is back, back on the market for the last time. After a well intentioned buyer had to back out last fall, I went about the business of making some repairs - which ended up stretching on all winter.
Sun 'N Fun (best custom classic) and Oshkosh (Bronze Lindy) award winner.
Just done: New C&D heater. New fuel bladders. New Aerospace Logic fuel gauge with new modern senders (VERY accurate). Fresh, extensive annual buy a very good shop here in Minneapolis. About 900 SMOH / 500 S Bottom OH and prop. Flawless runner.
$132,000. One of the nicest 195's anywhere. Delivery available.
G'day all,
We're a couple of Australian aircraft engineers and pilots looking to buy a 195. We're looking for a good honest aircraft not necessarily a top end machine nor a major rebuild. Paint and interior in good condition (6-7). We're coming over in the next couple of months and we aren't going home without one! Ready to let it go? Drop us a line!
After 2-1/2 years of efforts and expense, we have stopped the mayor and other local politicians and bureacrats in their plan to close/move our wonderful little piece of flying heaven. As some 195's know, we formed an airport support group called the, Elmore County Aviation Alliance (ECAA), 2 years ago and now have a membership of nearly 140 people. Our group and other local friends of the airport worked to enlighten people on the history of the airport and it's role during WWII. Last fall we started a project to have the airport listed on the Alabama Historical Commission Register of Landmarks and Heritage. In February we achieved our goal, and all without the poilticians knowing a thing about it. A week after we sent out press releases the city sent out it's own press release announcing the airport will remain where it is. So, for the time being, all is right with the world.
There is more to the story than I can relate here but this is the gist of it. We still are awaiting the FAA's decision on a part 16 complaint we filed over our land leases which should be announced in June. So, as Churchill said after the Battle of Britain, it is not the beginning of the end, but perhaps it is the end of the beginning.
I've attached our Historic Commission certificate and our Alabama House of Representative's Resolution which we got last week and it's the icing on the cake.
It's about time to replace the headliner in my 195. My current headliner has three zippers for access to the important stuff in the cabin overhead, but the furthest aft one only allows access to the flap motor. I seems that one more zipper would be desirable to allow access to the aileron control cables as well. Your thoughts?
Also, any input as to the quality of the materials and workmanship of the headliners from the various suppliers would be appreciated.
The idea of all the round engine airplanes together is a good one, and should add a lot to the show, but its very difficult to administer because there in no one place to call and get an estimate of how many will be there, They think it will be quite a few, but who knows, next deal is, tents are not allowed any further north than 2 rows north of us, I have been assured the 195s will have our 4 rows, but where is not known yet, and There is a chance, that it will be further north, but if it crosses the no tent line, then we may have to put our non campers in the front rows, which will require someone to greet the planes, and find if they are campers or not, then flag them in. All of this is open to change, but our parking is not in question, only the" where "part is, and a little extra walking to get to the Tall Pines for breakfeast won't hurt us! More as we get closer, and please help if you see a potential for tents to be blown over, or worse. We have this accomidation for 2 reasons, we are show worthy, and safe!
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