Preventive Maintenance - Guidelines II
11. Repairing upholstery and decorative furnishings of the cabin, cockpit, or balloon basket interior when the repairing does not require disassembly of any primary structure or operating system or interfere with an operating system or affect the primary structure of the aircraft.When repairing or replacing upholstery, you are required to meet the original type design requirements. Use only material that has met the burn test requirements. The supplier of the aircraft interior will provide you with the needed paper work for your logbook. Do not buy materials from a local upholstery shop because your mechanic may ask you for the certification paperwork at the next annual.
12. Making small simple repairs to fairings, nonstructural cover plates, cowlings, and small patches and reinforcements not changing the contour so as to interfere with proper air flow.Be careful; what you consider a simple repair may not be. You should refer to the service manual. You must use approved material and procedures to do the repair.
13. Replacing side windows where that work does not interfere with the structure or any operating system such as controls, electrical equipment, etc.Remember that we are talking side windows, not windshield. There are many airplanes out there in which replacing a side window is a simple task. However, be careful. As the aircraft systems become more complicated, so will the side window installation.
14. Replacing safety belts. You are allowed to replace your seat belts and shoulder harnesses with approved belts for your make and model airplane.If you elect to change the belts it is strongly suggested that you follow the service manual instructions for installation. If the manual calls for two washers and a spacer, use them. Changing the belts is definitely a safety-of-flight issue, which may affect your well being.
15. Replacing seats or seat parts with replacement parts approved for the aircraft, not involving disassembly of any primary structure or operating system.Once again, this should be regarded as a safety-of-flight issue that can affect your well-being. The seats are specifically designed. Don’t modify them to make them stronger or more rigid.
Replacement seats or seat parts must be of an approved design for your make and model airplane.
16. Trouble shooting and repairing broken circuits in landing light wiring circuits.This doesn’t include position and panel lights or similar lighting systems on your airplane. If you elect to venture into other systems, words of caution: Lack of knowledge of the system may cost you more money for needed repairs.
17. Replacing bulbs, reflectors, and lenses of position and landing lights.Replacement is allowed in these two systems as well as in the anticollision lighting system.
18. Replacing wheels and skis where no weight and balance computation is involved.
19. Replacing any cowling not requiring removal of the propeller or disconnection of flight controls. Pilots are permitted to remove and replace cowlings and cowl flaps on the aircraft they own or operate.
20. Replacing or cleaning spark plugs and setting of spark plug gap clearance.Some important items to consider when changing spark plugs:
Have available and use the proper manuals, tools, and equipment needed for the job, which includes a torque wrench. Use the proper spark plugs for the engine.
Know the plug rotation sequence for the engine. Many people use a simple process of rotating the plugs from top to bottom and then next in firing order.
21. Replacing any hose connection except hydraulic connections.Owners are allowed to replace any hose or hose connection except hydraulic connections, which also includes broken lines. You are also allowed to change such lines as:
- Cabin air hoses;
- Carburetor heat hoses;
- Drain hoses;
- Cooling air hoses for radios.
- 22. Replacing prefabricated fuel lines.
23. Cleaning or replacing fuel and oil strainers or filter elements.Follow the service manual instructions when cleaning or replacing fuel, oil, induction air, and vacuum filter elements. Use only approved strainers and filters when replacing them. The one from the automobile parts store is not approved.
There are several ADs that come to mind when talking about filter changes. You should also check with your mechanic for all ADs that apply to your airplane.
AD 84-26-02 requires replacement of the paper induction filter prior to reaching 500 hours time in service. You are allowed to change the filter, but only an A&P can sign off the AD and return the airplane to service.
Another AD that comes to mind is Avco Lycoming AD 80-04-03 R2, which requires at the next engine oil change, not to exceed 50 hours, adding an additive to the engine oil, examination of the engine oil suction screen for presence of metal particles, and the inspection of the external full- flow oil filter for metal particles by cutting it open so that the pleated element can be unfolded and examined.
24. Replacing and servicing batteries.When replacing your airplane’s battery, use only an approved battery for your make and model airplane. You are also permitted to add water (distilled water) and charge your battery. If you need to clean the battery, terminals, or battery box area, baking soda works about the best. Flush with fresh water when you’re completed. Don’t allow any baking soda to enter the battery.
Emergency Locator Transmitter battery replacement is also permitted, provided you are able to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Don’t forget that the new expiration date for replacing (or recharging) the battery must be legibly marked on the outside of the transmitter and entered in the aircraft maintenance record.
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