Like any kind of “extended coverage” arrangement, engine maintenance programs (EMPs) are polarizing subjects. Some say they’re unquestionably worth the value they deliver, while others are just as sure that they’re worthless. What do early color TVs have to do with first-gen turbine aircraft engines? Well, more than you might think. In the early days of “The Wonderful World of Color,” you’d be lucky if the old RCA would last through the show. Their cathode-ray and vacuum [...]

The market for Diamond DA 42 multiengine diesel-powered aircraft has matured now that the aircraft has been on the market since 2006. The aircraft and its powerplants have, like any groundbreaking and innovative product, experienced many iterations as the new diesel engine technology proved itself over time. Usually an airframer introduces a new airframe with a conventional, proven powerplant. With the introduction of the DA 42 Diamond broke with that tradition and introduced an entirely new airframe [...]

Have you ever heard the term “Oil Analysis”? If so, do you have any idea as to what it means and why I’m asking you this question? Oil analysis is a tool that should be used by your maintenance provider. In my personal experience on several occasions the use of oil analysis was instrumental in preventing the fleet of aircraft we maintained from having major engine failures. The reason I want to address this is the vast [...]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations refer to the term “airworthy”, but you won’t find the term in the normal definitions section. Below you will see a couple of sources with the official definition. First in PlaneSense- General Aviation Information (FAA-H-8033-19A): Airworthiness Two conditions must be met for a standard category aircraft to be considered airworthy: The aircraft conforms to its type design (type certificate). Conformity to type design is attained when the required and proper components [...]

Reciprocating Engines Engine First Reading the “Aircraft for Sale” advertisements can be interesting and misleading. As aviation-oriented people, we are conditioned to look for certain bits of information which we believe will allow us to evaluate the product offered for sale. In the case of airplanes, this information can generally be segregated into three categories – airframe, avionics and engine. There does seem to be information on engines which cannot be emphasized too strongly. Engine information is [...]

Aircraft records that have been lost or destroyed are a highly debated subject. Some say that 30% to 50% of the value of an aircraft resides with the maintenance records. Whether this is accurate or not, they represent value and should be treated with care and respect their value and impact on your aircraft. Occasionally, the records for an aircraft are lost or destroyed. In order to reconstruct them, it is necessary to establish the total time [...]

The purchase of an aircraft represents a major commitment that should be approached carefully and cautiously, especially when buying a used aircraft. For many aircraft owners, it represents the largest single lifetime investment next to buying a home. Quite often, the purchase price of an aircraft approximates or exceeds the price of a new home. Particularly when buying a used aircraft, it is wise to have the selected aircraft inspected by a qualified person or facilities before [...]

How Do AD’s Effect your Aircraft Operation? An Airworthiness Directive (AD) is an important tool used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to communicate unsafe operating conditions relating to aircraft and aircraft equipment to aircraft owners. A primary safety function of the FAA is to require the correction of unsafe conditions found in an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, rotor, or appliance when such conditions exist or are likely to exist or develop in other products of the [...]

Question: Why should an owner/operator consider an Hourly Cost Maintenance Program (HCMP) Answer: An HCMP has many different benefits depending on the owner/operators needs. In all cases an HCMP for the airframe and powerplant remains as one of the more savvy investments that helps plan for budget when confronting a major maintenance event. An HCMP evens out maintenance costs for routine, regular and preventative maintenance requirements that all owner/operators may have. There are various HCMPs to consider; [...]

Maintenance means the preservation, inspection, overhaul, and repair of aircraft, including the replacement of parts. The purpose of maintenance is to ensure that the aircraft remains airworthy throughout its operational life. A properly maintained aircraft is a safe aircraft. Although maintenance requirements vary for different types of aircraft, experience shows that most aircraft need some type of preventive maintenance every 25 hours or less of flying time, and minor maintenance at least every 100 hours. This is [...]