Real-Life Communication
A customer at the hangar where you work has decided that she wants
to fly her aircraft this winter. Several adjustments have to be made to an
aircraft to make sure it still operates safely in the cold winter weather.
You
write a quick note to your apprentice maintenance technician telling her what
to do to winterize Erica's airplane. Here's your note:
Please do something
about the engine oil, and modify the crankcase breather. Of
course, inspect the hose clamps, hoses, hydraulic fittings and seals.
Double-check the cabin heater, charge up the core batteries
and remove wheel pants.
Erica reads the note over your shoulder.
"Would you mind telling me what you're planning to do to my plane?" she asks.
That's a tall order, but it's important that the pilot know what changes have
been made to the aircraft, and why they have been made.
Use the definitions
below to explain the note you wrote to your apprentice.
- Engine oil: Oil is extremely important to keep the engine running
smoothly in cold weather. You will consult your aircraft manual to select
the proper oil.
- Crankcase breather: Engine failures can be caused by frozen crankcase
breather lines, which cause pressure to build up. This can blow off the oil
filler cap and result in lost oil supply. You will check the flight manual
before you make any changes to eliminate possible fire hazards.
- Hose clamps, hydraulic fittings and seals: All these clamps, fittings
and seals must be inspected for deterioration because cold weather is tough
on them.
- Cabin heater: Inspect the heater for levels of carbon monoxide
entering the cockpit. Every year, accidents occur because of carbon monoxide
poisoning.
- Core batteries: Wet cell batteries require special consideration
in cold weather. They must be fully charged, or removed from the aircraft
when parked outside, to prevent loss of power from freezing.
- Wheel pants: During thaw, mud and slush can be thrown into the
wheel well during taxiing and takeoff. If this material freezes during flight,
the landing gear may not work. Wheel pants installed on fixed gear aircraft
should be removed to prevent this material from freezing onto the wheels or
brakes.
It's a short note, but one packed with details. Now you have to explain
what the winter alterations are all about to Erica.