Go Ahead, Make My Day!

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Probably some of the same, but I never got the chance to work on those models.
I would think there'd be some similarities between the 172 and 177, but the doors are a lot bigger, and no
wing strut, so I'd think that'd make things at least a little easier.

[tundra_flier]

I've had to work behind the panel on my C-150 a few times.  lets just say I've gotten pretty good at installing plastic wire ties with one hand.  There isn't room for me to get both arms under there!

Worst one I've encountered was replacing the rudder pedal bushings in the 150.  Unlike the later models, mine doesn't have an inspection plate under them.  I should have known what I was in for when my mechanic said she'd be happy to let me do that myself and just inspect it.     Is contortionism a required class in A&P school?

Phil

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I've had to work behind the panel on my C-150 a few times.  lets just say I've gotten pretty good at installing plastic wire ties with one hand.  There isn't room for me to get both arms under there!

Worst one I've encountered was replacing the rudder pedal bushings in the 150.  Unlike the later models, mine doesn't have an inspection plate under them.  I should have known what I was in for when my mechanic said she'd be happy to let me do that myself and just inspect it.     Is contortionism a required class in A&P school?

Phil

Not that I recall. In fact, almost everything we did was either on a table or in the open. Well, not *everything*, but it really wasn't
much like the 'real world'. My first gig when I went to work at Central was an in-depth inspection of a SuperKingAir200 (yeah, I kinda say it that way, too). The most time I spent on that airplane was under the floor panels with a vacuum cleaner. It's amazing how
much stuff ends up down there! The cockpit was bad, too, and I was hanging by one arm while sucking up cracker crumbs (and who knows what else) with the other, under the panel, under the floorboards, etc.
My first engine swap was a breath of fresh air (eh, literally too, I guess) as I got to spend most of my time standing.

[Baradium]

Hey Velojym,  that's the same cockpit as the 1900...  now imagine when someone spills coffee or another drink.   

[fireflyr]

Hey Velojym,  that's the same cockpit as the 1900...  now imagine when someone spills coffee or another drink.   

If you guys are anything like the frieght dogs I used to fly with, I can only imagine---the mechanics used to tell us drink only diet sodas because they were not sticky when some idiot pilot (which the mechanics swear is an oxymoron) spilled a drink all over the panel.  We didn't make much money so some of the pilots carried bag lunches which they would spill, strew, and otherwise smear all over the flight deck---I carried windex and towels when I went to work.

[TheSoccerMom]

 

.......when some idiot pilot (which the mechanics swear is an oxymoron)..... 

Oh, Fireflyr!!!!!  That is GREAT.  Cracked me up.   

Made my day!!!!   

[Frank N. O.]

LOL, great one indeed!   

Frank

[fireflyr]

Hey S'MOM, where'd ya get the Beech 18 on floats picture?   You flown one (wheels or floats)?
All I remember about my limited exposure was the noise---I guess if they have some insulation and upholstry they are a little quieter but freight dogs don't have that luxury

[TheSoccerMom]

Hey there,

Got the picture from AOPA's online photo gallery...  thay have some real pretty ones -- with a few of a polished Twin Beech that are just beautiful!!     There's a link at their site, and you can download whichever ones you want. 

Yeah I was lucky to have a ROARING good time as well -- did my Commercial AMES in one.  It was a real blast.      Have never been in one on wheels, though...   

And, my hearing isn't so wonderful anymore, either...   

So far floats is about the most fun I think you can have in an airplane...  of course the guy I flew with was a real character and would have been hilarious to be around at a funeral, probably.  HA!!  There were many highlights (landing next to glaciers, for one), but he threw in river landings, which were a real eye opener, what with the strong currents and the obstacles everywhere.  It was SOME FUN.                  

[Baradium]

If you guys are anything like the frieght dogs I used to fly with, I can only imagine---the mechanics used to tell us drink only diet sodas because they were not sticky when some idiot pilot (which the mechanics swear is an oxymoron) spilled a drink all over the panel.  We didn't make much money so some of the pilots carried bag lunches which they would spill, strew, and otherwise smear all over the flight deck---I carried windex and towels when I went to work.

Now, imagine if an airplane, hypothetically speaking of course, happens to be one of two airplanes to have the transponder in the center console... 


I personally havn't spilled anything liquid yet.    In our case, we not only don't really make a lot of money, but we also strive for 15 minute turn arounds in areas where single engine cessnas doing airline service wouldn't be a surprise and a 1900 is a "big" airplane to the passengers.   IE, going out to eat for lunch on a layover is usually a pipe dream.

I've actually eaten in Nome and Kotzebue (well, delivery in Kotz), but for the most part there's no time to sample the local offerings even if you cared to spend the money.  It's eat in flight or don't eat.   Places like Kaltag, Nulato, Nuiqsik, Point Hope et al... if you have time to eat lunch in town... it means the airplane is broken and you're going to be there a long time.   

[spacer]

Hey Velojym,  that's the same cockpit as the 1900...  now imagine when someone spills coffee or another drink.   

Our pilots didn't leave anything sticky (thank goodness) and there were no odd stains under the upholstery.
The passenger cabin, however, was an entirely different story. Try scrubbin' old dry soda from the hull under floor level.
It's enough to drive you nutz!
Lots of wiring and ductwork, and I wished my arms were an inch thick with 6 or 7 joints. I had to do a lot of it with forceps.
Ok, I don't want to think about it anymore. Suffice it to say, our charter planes sometimes came back with... interesting messes
in 'em. (The grandson of the FBO owner had a little party in a base customer's Falcon, doing about $50,000 worth of damage, including
cleanup, in the cabin... I might pay that for a whole airplane!)

[Baradium]

Do I understand that the grandson did it to an aircraft he wasn't even supposed to be in?

Did the owner press charges?

[cj5_pilot]

Hey there,

Got the picture from AOPA's online photo gallery...  thay have some real pretty ones -- with a few of a polished Twin Beech that are just beautiful!!     There's a link at their site, and you can download whichever ones you want. 

Yeah I was lucky to have a ROARING good time as well -- did my Commercial AMES in one.  It was a real blast.      Have never been in one on wheels, though...   

And, my hearing isn't so wonderful anymore, either...   

So far floats is about the most fun I think you can have in an airplane...  of course the guy I flew with was a real character and would have been hilarious to be around at a funeral, probably.  HA!!  There were many highlights (landing next to glaciers, for one), but he threw in river landings, which were a real eye opener, what with the strong currents and the obstacles everywhere.  It was SOME FUN.                  

They've got a nice B-18 on floats at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum.  They used to fly it but the props been off it for the last couple years

[spacer]

Do I understand that the grandson did it to an aircraft he wasn't even supposed to be in?

Did the owner press charges?

You understand correctly.

No, but they did demand the airplane be restored to its previous condition (which was done), and they're
partnering with another company to open a new FBO at the field.

[Baradium]

Do I understand that the grandson did it to an aircraft he wasn't even supposed to be in?

Did the owner press charges?

You understand correctly.

No, but they did demand the airplane be restored to its previous condition (which was done), and they're
partnering with another company to open a new FBO at the field.

So the FBO had to pay $50,000 in that and stands to lose much more than that in buisiness from the sounds of it.  I'll bet that kid really got a good talking to, huh?