Systems Maintenance: Basic and Advanced Light Plane Maintenance, 1987

Document Type: Book (Informational) Purpose: Informational. Authority: Author Expertise. Series: Light Plane Maintenance Library

Scope: General knowledge book written for General Aviation pilots, owners and mechanics. Written by the Editors of Light Airplane Maintenance magazine.

From the dust jacket: "The Systems are the nerve center of your aircraft. This network of wires, cables and dials not only tells you where your aircraft is, but how well it's functioning. These systems are your first line of defense—the early warning protection— against potential problems. Maintenance of these systems is not just prudent—it is essential.

In the first section of this volume of The Light Plane Maintenance Library we look behind the panel, at the vacuum and pitot-static systems and at your engine's monitoring instruments.

Not only for the IFR ticket holder but for the sunshine pilot as well, the integrity of his or her airplane's instruments may be the key to salvation. Instrument failures are infrequent, but not as rare as in the old AN-gyro days. Airplane owners are forced to resort to instrument removal and replacement with increasing frequency. This volume's leadoff chapter will show how it should be done.

The following chapter then examines both vacuum and pitot-static systems. Only if these systems are functioning well can you depend on the accuracy of your heading, attitude and altitude instruments.

Here you'll learn how to interpret incongruous instrument readings in the air and find out what safe control responses you should make. You'll also be reminded about those safety measures which should be taken first—on the ground—to prevent pitot and vacuum problems.

The first section of Systems Maintenance concludes with a look at engine instruments. Knowing what the instruments say can be crucial to safety, for an ailing engine most often begins to warn of problems during flight. But the information will only be as accurate as the instruments reporting it.."

Contents (from the Table of Contents): "Part I: THE PANEL AND RELATED SYSTEMS Chapter 1: Into the Panel - Working Inside the Panel - The Magnetic Compass - Refashioning the Panel

Chapter 2: Vacuum and Pitot-Static - System Maintenance - Vacuum Systems and Their Problems - Servicing the Air-Oil Separator - Dry Vacuum Pumps: Failures and Replacement - Handling Filters and Gyro Instruments - Pitot-Static Protection

Chapter 3: Engine Instruments - An Instrument Literacy Challenge - Oil Pressure Gauges - Tachometers - EGT and CHT

Part II: ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Chapter 4: Under the Wire Survival Tips for Old Radios Cockpit Speaker Replacement - Troubleshooting a Strobe System - Do-It-Yourself ELT Maintenance - Maintaining Contacts

Chapter 5: Alternators and Generators - Alternators - Keeping Your DC Generator Alive - Generator Troubleshooting - How to Inspect and Maintain a Voltage Regulator

Chapter 6: Batteries - Basic Maintenance Procedures - Replacement and Preservation - Cold--and Hot--Weather Maintenance

Appendix A: Gyro Instrument Troubleshooting Appendix B: Pitot-Static Instrument Troubleshooting Appendix C: Manifold Pressure Gauge Troubleshooting Appendix D: Battery Troubleshooting"