Getthereitis with a safe ending
Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 2:30 pm
My local mechanic, Bill, works on a variety of aircraft including vintage jet aircraft. He recently finished restoring an L-29 that the owner recently sold. The owner hired a ferry pilot (ATP for a major airline) to take the L-29 from Dallas to California. The plane had sat for awhile so Bill went to check everything out and all was well. The pilot was delayed by a day (his personal parachute didn't have the right inspections stickers to be checked as luggage) so he was somewhat in a hurry to get going. Bill suggested they put the plane up on blocks and check the hydraulics as he has found air bubbles can develop in the L-29 system when it sets for awhile. Working the gear, flaps and air brakes can work these out. You then need to top off the fluid, which can be significant. The pilot has no time in an L-29 but does have time in an L-39.
The ferry pilot first could not get the L-29 started. Bill thought that was odd since he had no trouble a day earlier. After watching the ferry pilot's process, Bill noticed he was engaging the air starter and not the ground starter. Engaging the correct switch and the plane started easily. The pilot worked the flaps and air brake thoroughly. Bill suggested he turn off the plane for him to top off the fluid but the pilot declined and took off for a test flight. Bill remarked that pilot put the plane through some impressive maneuvers and was clearly a gifted pilot. He landed without incident and taxied back to the hangar. Bill offered again to check and top off the hydraulic fluid but the pilot declined. He grabbed his bag and was off.
Two hours later he did a gear-up landing in Plainview, TX: http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2017/07/a ... ident.html
He did an admirable job putting the plane down with minimal damage. The hydraulic system was inspected with minimal fluid in the system and no leaks detected.
The ferry pilot first could not get the L-29 started. Bill thought that was odd since he had no trouble a day earlier. After watching the ferry pilot's process, Bill noticed he was engaging the air starter and not the ground starter. Engaging the correct switch and the plane started easily. The pilot worked the flaps and air brake thoroughly. Bill suggested he turn off the plane for him to top off the fluid but the pilot declined and took off for a test flight. Bill remarked that pilot put the plane through some impressive maneuvers and was clearly a gifted pilot. He landed without incident and taxied back to the hangar. Bill offered again to check and top off the hydraulic fluid but the pilot declined. He grabbed his bag and was off.
Two hours later he did a gear-up landing in Plainview, TX: http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2017/07/a ... ident.html
He did an admirable job putting the plane down with minimal damage. The hydraulic system was inspected with minimal fluid in the system and no leaks detected.
