Of all the parts of a plane that can break,...

Half Fast

Half Fast

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Half Fast
...I didn't really expect this one. But it sure could have grounded me.

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I stopped in Arcadia (X07) this morning for some cheap(er) 100LL. After filling up, I went to the baggage compartment to get my fuel tester. Put the airplane key into the lock, and without any real force it snapped as soon as I started to turn.

Fortunately, about 1/16" of the stub was sticking out of the lock and I was able pull it out. Even more fortunately, I had a spare key in the plane! And thankfully the key snapped off in the baggage door lock, not in the ignition switch!

I'm guessing there must have been a flaw in the key blank. There's no twisting or bending in the metal at all. Just a clean break.

If any of you are not carrying a spare airplane key when flying, let me suggest that you may want to reconsider.

Grumble grumble grumble......
 
Installed my winter oil cooler baffle on Monday and noticed a weird lump of electrical tape on the engine mount frame near the firewall with a bulge under the tape that looked a lot like a key to the airplane. Never noticed it before.
So, the answer is, yes I do have a spare key. Just need a screwdriver or a MacGyver Tool to remove the top cowl.
 
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I carry a spare set of keys (hangar lock, ignition, canopy latch, and fuel filler caps) in the armrest compartment between the seats, along with a flashlight, notepad, and spare batteries for the A20s.
 
Stan Cooper said:
I carry a spare set of keys (hangar lock, ignition, canopy latch, and fuel filler caps) in the armrest compartment between the seats, along with a flashlight, notepad, and spare batteries for the A20s.
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I keep spare plane and hangar keys I my tool bag in the luggage compartment. But I thanked the Lord that the key didn’t snap just a moment before when it was in the ignition switch.
 
Lock picks... left over from a failed attempt at trying to learn a life of crime.

In other words, I’m not very fast, but it works. Drove 3 1/2 hours to work on our plane stranded away from base. Forgot the keys... picked our way in, picked the mag switch. Airplane locks aren’t very high tech fortunately.
 
Your planes have keys? sigh......
I'm thrilled my plane has a working door handle.
On the plus side of flying a Third World airplane, I stopped over at the mechanics shop to chew the fat and they had 5 Cessnas all crowded in there and they all had severe electrical problems.
Something I will never have to deal with.
 
Dang. Two reminders in a week that I need to get spare keys made.

Where can I source an aluminum magnet for the hide-a-key box?

Do I have to get them blessed by an a&p before I can use them?
 
This is too funny. After my last flight, as I was closing my luggage door the lock made a run for it. Popped out and fell on the ground. AIrplane can fly just fine without it, but the lock if FUBAR. I've got new parts on order, but given all the pandemic delays not certain when (or if) I'll get them.
 
Sac Arrow said:
You have to admit, that is a key piece of equipment.
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Hope you still have your day job... :lol::lol:
 
Not a real boater until you have towed your boat 3 hours to a ramp and then realized you left the keys on the counter at home.

My Decathlon does not have a key for the ignition, just a button. It does have a locking door, but that's kind of silly in a fabric covered airplane.
 
Half Fast said:
Based at KGIF (Winter Haven).
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Cool airfield. Used to enjoy sitting in my boat off the end of the runway and watching the float cubs take off from Jack Brown's. Also stopped by to get fabric advice from Rob Lock last year when I bought my Decathlon.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Cool airfield. Used to enjoy sitting in my boat off the end of the runway and watching the float cubs take off from Jack Brown's. Also stopped by to get fabric advice from Rob Lock last year when I bought my Decathlon.
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Yep. Lots of cool aviation around here. There are a bunch of neat planes hangared at Wtr Hvn. My son, @2-Bit Speed , worked at Brown’s as a line boy when he was in high school. The last time I swapped emails with Story Musgrave he said he was doing his seaplane multi there so he can solo his AirCam. Wtr Hvn is a great place to be for a pilot!
 
Half Fast said:
I keep spare plane and hangar keys I my tool bag in the luggage compartment. But I thanked the Lord that the key didn’t snap just a moment before when it was in the ignition switch.
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I misread "I keep a spare plane..." I thought, "Man, this guy has MONEY if he keeps a spare PLANE in the luggage compartment! lol
 
I can't say that I've had that problem. However, I do point out to passengers the most expensive instrument in the panel - the Hobbs meter. That's the one that costs me (as a club member) money.
 
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