Maintenance

When you present yourself to a designated pilot examiner (DPE) or an FAA employee for a checkride to add a new certificate or rating, both you and the aircraft are subject to closer inspection than you may be accustomed. Pilots aren’t expected to know the dry torque specification for an engine’s cylinder studs, but they […]

If you’re doing your own routine maintenance—and if you’re not, why not?—you’re going to need a means to open your canister oil filter after every oil change. There are choices on the market, and each design seems to follow a slightly different philosophy, even if the desired result is much the same: Cut the base […]

The backup rechargeable batteries used in current-gen EFIS models have gotten better over the years. But they still require routine inspections, might have mandatory replacement intervals and are intolerant of extreme storage conditions. Don’t underestimate the costs associated with replacing them, either. Fortunately there are some things you and your mechanics can do to ensure […]

A typical pilot is concerned with aircraft maintenance only to a limited degree. He or she often lacks any ability to perform or approve maintenance at the same time they’re responsible for pre-flight inspections and ensuring the paperwork demonstrates airworthiness. And although the FARs make the owner/operator responsible for ensuring inspections and maintenance have been […]

United Airlines is launching an in-house apprenticeship program designed to help grow its pipeline of aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs). Called Calibrate, the 36-month program is a “joint effort between United, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and the Federal Aviation Administration.” According to United, Calibrate was designed as a full-time, paid apprenticeship offering both on-the-job […]

Aviation software solutions and information services provider ATP has announced that it will be collaborating with Pratt & Whitney Canada for the launch of its new Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs). According to ATP, the launch will focus primarily on Pratt & Whitney PT6A engines. The company says it will then roll out additional IETMs […]

We’ve been owning and flying airplanes long enough to know for certain that the sport has many things going for it. But let’s be real—membership also comes with some downsides. This includes rising insurance premiums, ever-changing fuel prices, monthly database updates and, of course, maintenance and upgrades. While we encourage owners to perform as many […]

Piper Aircraft is partnering with aircraft maintenance training school International AeroTech Academy on a joint program designed to establish an airframe and powerplant mechanic pipeline for Piper’s manufacturing facility in Vero Beach, Florida. The program will allow students to interview with Piper before beginning their training at International AeroTech. Successful interview candidates will receive a […]

The FAA has officially determined that the Aircraft Electronics Association’s (AEA) avionics technician apprenticeship program satisfies regulatory requirements for the issuance of a repairman’s certificate. FAA Aircraft Maintenance Division manager Jackie Black announced the agency’s decision on Wednesday at the 64th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show in Dallas, Texas. As previously reported by […]

AOPA is warning aircraft operators to be careful in choosing the disinfectants used to keep aircraft COVID-19 safe. A Florida flight school had to remove the instruments and switches and resurface the panels of two Cessna 172s after a well-meaning renter used ethanol-based sanitizer to clean the yokes of the aircraft. The overspray hit the […]