bob turner

Shops are now changing them at five year intervals. I have a machine that takes them off and replaces them, so I get the five year old leftovers. ...

A UV barrier really ought to block sunlight. No, his aircraft was covered using the Ceconite process in the 1970s. I got him to smear some Ekofill...

You do know how lucky you are to have good original ribs?

We lose the back and underneath of the left gear leg first, then see hairline cracks on both gear legs, followed by the stabilizers and wing trailing...

A long time ago cotton fabric was tested using a Seyboth or Maule tester. As far as I can tell, the only legal test for Dacron is to cut a strip...

Certification has more to do with the manufacturer than with the equipment. My Decathlon has full gyros, a glide slope receiver, and a sweep second...

Some modern auto engines have that problem. Snap-On might be the solution. I have mostly dirt-bag tools, but once in a while I need to spring for a...

I am a SAFE member precisely for that insurance. I carry a million liability. It is roughly twice what my Cub liability costs. It does not work in...

I admire you guys. Drilling those holes while the spar is in the wing takes great skill, and probably a really good jig.

How do you slide the new spar in there with the ribs still attached to the rear spar? Gonna add the plywood plates after sliding it in?

Avemco was always good to me - took time to answer all my questions. But I save around $800/year on two airplanes by using a broker. If the AIG and...

This deserves repeating. I am sending it to friends who are looking at O-290 airplanes. I am sort of aware of the overhaul problem but Steve states...

Yeah. I think Cleveland wants to buy Grove out. Airplanes are Robbie's hobby and passion. All our Cubs are Grove-equipped. I hold field approvals...

I just received via hearsay that AIG is done with old guys. I have heard that sort of thing from two different sources. A student wanted a...

STC for 6:00 wheels, probably a field approval for the 8:50s. Grove now has a 6:00 wheel that is legal for any tire up to 26". Grove is usually...

Have her slide a piece of .020 stainless under each rib and tap the nail hole flat. Makes disassembly lots easier.

Yeah - I have a buddy that lifts the wing at its tip. Ok to jiggle, but if you are lifting, do it at the strut.

Sometimes they just crack on the ends. That does look like damage, but there ought to be other evidence. I would look it up - some cracks may be...

I don't think compression cracks cause varnish to bubble, but on the other hand I have only seen photos. If you can get in, the Citabria Decathlon...

A landing hard enough to give you a compression fracture would be a memorable experience. I don't see the discontinuities that Gordon sees, but do...

Looks more like a broken rib from here. I assume it is not flying? If not, cut the fabric around that area and have a look. A compression crack in...

And that is why I am waiting on the Decathlon until February. Plenty of Cubs to fly until then, and I can do a leisurely extensive annual. The...

I insisted on the muffler terminating that AD. Nobody was doing it except me, and I hated the job. Never seen a Super Cub without stainless nuts -...

Interesting. We smaller Cub owners use brass nuts. Over-torquing results in stripping. But Clint has these neat stainless steel flanges he welds...

We have some local Great Lakes biplanes with the GTR-200. They are reporting a gradual static buildup during flight. I think it is regardless of...

Aren't the Becker and Trig roughly the same size? My J3 has six 3 1/8" instruments in a row, and space above them for five 2 1/4" instruments. The...

Yep. I do not spray anything with cyanates in it.

Fuel tank. I have an SL-40 in the wing root - giant pain; I put it too far forward. The other J3 has a GTR-200 just ahead of the rear spar, with...

Quick question: I know that distilled water is a good idea in the finicky finish coat, but what would tap water do to that glue?