Tool Crib

New Video Demystifies 100-hour/Annual Inspection

Aircraft Technical Book Company and Westwood College of Aviation Technology have jointly produced a DVD-R video titled 100 Hour/Annual Inspection Powerplant. The program runs about 50 minutes and takes the viewer through a typical light airplane piston engine 100-hour inspection.

Mechanics and the narrator guide the viewer system-by-system, starting with pre-inspection checks, compression, oil, ignition, electrical, fuel, cooling, exhaust, engine mount, and propeller.

While there is much good information in this program, some of the advice is questionable and probably would generate debate amongst experienced mechanics. Some of the dubious information and presentations include: pulling a propeller through without chocks or tiedowns; suggesting the AC 43.13 is a regulation in relation to compression checks, when in fact it is advisory only; no discussion of the importance of checking dates on rubber fuel and oil hoses and when they should be changed; showing a picture of the master switch when discussing the importance of making sure the magneto switch is off; no mention of inspecting mufflers for damaged internal baffles; no mention of manufacturer recommendations for dressing dings in propeller blades; and no mention that prior to flying an airplane after an inspection, the logbooks must be completely signed off.

On the positive side, there were a number of good tips and pieces of information in the program. For example, the compression check is highlighted as an extremely dangerous operation and care was taken to show viewers how to do it safely. The program showed the trick of poking a hole in an oil filter to drain the oil cleanly before removing the filter and also emphasized the importance of tearing open the filter to check for metal particles. Viewers are shown how to remove ignition harnesses properly from sparkplugs, using two wrenches, not to re-use a dropped sparkplug, and how to rotate sparkplugs for even wear. Baffles are highlighted for their role in proper cooling, something that many mechanics and owners ignore. And during the postinspection runup, the requirement to check static rpm is mentioned, which is another area that is often overlooked.

The program ends with a bonus section on safety wiring, which is a good primer for someone who hasn't tried this before. Overall, this program is a good introduction to the scope of a piston engine 100-hour/annual inspection. It does include some good advice that mechanics could use, but the program ultimately might be more beneficial as an aid to show new pilots and maintenance customers what goes on in the shop during a 100-hour/annual inspection. Aircraft Technical Book Company, 800-780-4115, www.actechbooks.com. -- By Matt Thurber

Whiffletree's Handheld ELT Tester

All emergency locator transmitters must be tested each year, for sufficient strength of the signal radiated from the antenna, according to 14CFR 91.207(d)(4). Whiffletree has developed a new series of handheld ELT testers that work for both the new 406 MHz units and the older TSO C91 and C91a ELTs.

The Whiffletree Beacon Tester includes a small handheld computer with a CompactFlash card containing an antenna and testing software. According to Whiffletree, "The tester can receive all COSPAS-SARSAT frequency channels, decode all COSPAS-SARSAT protocols, display pass/fail and performance data reports, and download all or selected details for printout." The Beacon Tester comes with a two-year calibration cycle. Readers can view an interactive demo on Whiffletree's website. Whiffletree, 508-837-5892, www.whiffletreecorp.com.

Unison Offers Fine-Wire Sparkplugs

Unison Industries, which manufactures Slick magnetos and started making massive-electrode Autolite sparkplugs a few years ago, is now offering a series of fine-wire sparkplugs called Autolite XL. The XL fine-wire sparkplugs feature iridium in the side wire electrode and center electrode tip, which extends service life. The welded side-wire electrode is mounted on a pedestal, which results, according to Unison, "in a projected gap design that provides a less shielded spark for improved combustion." The XL sparkplugs are painted black, which coats the nickel plating and helps prevent corrosion. XL fine-wire sparkplugs are available in five part numbers, URHB36S, UREB36S, URHB32S, UREM38S, and URHM38S and they are available from Unison distributors. Unison Industries, 904-739-4000, www.unisonindustries.com.