Maintenance

Each one of our experimental aircraft is unique, but they share many systems which need maintenance. It has to be done regularly to keep the aircraft airworthy, and it must be done correctly. Builders and owners share knowledge and tips for saving money in the process.

bug plug - prevent insects from crawling in

Bug Plug

How to make an inexpensive plug to keep bugs out of your airplane Buy a 100-pack of bright orange “fuzzy sticks." Used to be commonly...
Cooling baffles

Baffles Reduce Cylinder Temperatures

This is a technical tip for the cylinder baffling modifications we’ve come up with for the IO-360 and IO-375 engines. The windows in front...
Spark plug tray, adjusting tool, gap gage, spark plug socket and extension, magneto timer, torque wrench, combination wrenches, ratchet, socket and extension

Tools to Maintain Your Sportsman or GlaStar

As we get more Sportsman builders who may not have extensive tool collections, the question has come up, what tools do I really need...

EarthX Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries

I recently became aware of a great battery alternative for Glasair owners. Here is the statement from their website. About EarthX “EarthX, Inc. is a US...

Sportsman Cage Replacement in Cameroon, Africa

Several years ago, Tom Needham – missionary pilot in Cameroon – experienced an unforeseen downdraft on final approach into one of the many villages...
GlaStar nose wheel bearings. Photo: Arlo Reeves.

Wheel Bearings

I was concerned about the salty sand we landed on in Baja corroding my wheels, so I rinsed them off and went flying, but...

Aux Fuel Pump

One of my aux tank pumps stopped working, so I decided to remove it and take it apart. New pumps are not expensive but...

Auxiliary Airbox Retention

Installations affected Engine installations typically installed in Van’s aircraft. These are only updraft sump installations with FM-100 or FM-200, FM-200A fuel controls, using Vans filtered...

High Oil Pressure Reading

I have the Grand Rapids Technologies EIS4000 and am using it to monitor all critical engine parameters (e.g., oil temp, oil pressure). I had...
SilverHawk EX

Safety alert: Precision Airmotive Fuel Injection Servos

Attention All Owners of aircraft with Lycoming Fuel Injected Engines. Please read these safety alerts from Precision Airmotive. Hex plug 383493 coming loose from regulator cover. Service...