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If you've been flying for years, as I have, you manage to learn some lessons the hard way. I thought I'd share this doozie to help a new piot not repeat the same mistake. I also added an identified lesson learned at the end to help others. I was doing an urgent dog rescue flight where I was...

The composite spinner was $1,000 but a new aluminum spinner was not that much cheaper. I went with the weight savings, however slight.

A corporate pilot friend of mine offered a great suggestion. He said when he finds something out of tolerance he phones another pilot friend to sense check it. He said, just talking it over makes him realize how stupid it would be to fly with the issue since he can't defend it. It is a policy I...

Update: I decided to go with the TCB composite spinner. Currently at the paint shop.

From experience, I'm less worried about the spinner than I am about shattering another very expensive backplate assembly. That just adds to the pain.

I had explored the option of going the accelerated commercial route but I ran into two issues: 1. Nobody in FL would get back to me or communicate in a timely manner. 2. Once I found someone to go with they check ride was going to be on a bad WX day forecast ahead. Trying to juggle the DPE...

I did the Bogert set. https://bogertaviation.com/products/cessna-copper-cable-kits and very happy.

Yes. I did the copper wire retrofit from the battery and that made a big difference.

Well here is the official update from Hartzell on the ST5, "There are no repairs approved for the starters referenced. However, we do offer a factory direct exchange program that might be of interest." As of today, to get one of those exchange starters it is $650 with a core credit of $210. I...

Some of us that have been flying for a long time can get in the habit of doing the two-minute aircraft inspection. I do. But even with a checklist pre-flight, I'm not sure I would have caught this issue unless I made it a point to examine the entire spinner. Frankly, this was spotted by...

I upgraded to the new digital senders and find them accurate to .2 gallons when refueling. It has been a comforting investment since the OEM fuel senders seem to like to display pretty much anything at times. See https://ciescorp.net/applications/small-aircraft/cessna/

My last few starters have been Sky-Tec ST5 starters on the O-470. I'm curious if anyone has made the switch to the Tempest PowerFlite and found it to be a superior starter. Looking for higher RPM on start.

Yes. That's why I could not figure out why some people were using it during a start.

Some folks start with carb heat open. Just trying to discover if I'm missing something there. Getting priming jet nozzles cleaned and top plugs changed from Champion to Tempest on Sunday.

Does anyone start with carb heat open?

I've got the nozzle check on my squawk list for my next service. Thanks for the suggestion.

I tried your trick today and it made for a much easier start. I also don't know why but WTH. Here is what was working reliably today and previous testing. Turn prop by hand six blades. 4 shots primer (cold) - 2 shots primer (hot) Mixture rich. Pump throttle a couple of times halfway while...

I just had a cylinder repaired at http://www.hhtriad.com/ for an exhaust valve issue. These guys do this stuff all day long so my cylinder came back with new valve guides, leaked tested, honed again, and needed a new break-in period. Here are some before and after pictures. Before After

I know. You think it would. I wish it would.

Over those years I've had at least six mechanics look at it. I need to find a super amazing 0-470-50 starting specialist mechanic.