Beech Aero Club

Did a previous owner fail to replace the old brass Imperial Fuel Selctor Valve, when it was an affordable option? You don't get do-over chances like this very often....

The BAC Board has appointed Mark Gooderum to the position of Technical Director. Mark will fill the vacancy created by Ashley Palmer's resignation.

Mike Rellihan has called our attention to a serious issue he has come across during his work on numerous member aircraft. The issue deals with corrosion caused by old CEET ducting. We feel this is an issue all BAC members should be aware of. BAC will make more information available as it is developed. Mike’s message follows:

Thanks to Bill Manhein's usual spectacular results on my cruddy source documents, we have now published (on BAC) the specifications for NAS302-310, and NAS312-320, control cables. Links: NAS 302-310, NAS 312-320

You can now order main cabin door seals, and small baggage door seals, directly from the AECI website! This project has been underway for more than a year.

Fixed-Gear and Retract-Gear donut pre-compression fixtures are now available for loan to BAC members, from three different locations across the USA.

Just a heads up about a new capability on the BAC website, thanks to Bill Manhein (and Tim Flight's support).

Using new source hardcopy, Bill has scanned, OCR-processed, and reloaded all of the Beech Communiques on the SI/SB page. You will find much improved readability, including any color present in the original document. You can now search the index for keywords; and you can search for keywords within any given document. You can also do text-select, and use copy-paste to transfer information from a document to an email note (for example).

Much to my surprise, I actually heard back from a note I sent to David LoPresti, via a response received from Jim Shafer. I was inquiring about the Hubba Hubba six-inch molded wheel covers.

I have temporary access to a few new high-dollar parts. I can't afford to stock them, and (for a number of reasons) I don't think they are suitable for BAC to to purchase and stock them. Instrument cluster, glareshield assembly, fuel selector valve, mixture control, carb air box, carb air box valve, quadrant control cover. Please let me know ASAP of any interest.

There have been past instances of landing gear actuator rod ends breaking. The following information was sent to me by a Beech contact.

I can get two new Fuel Selector Valves, as well as two complete conversion kits containing the Gerdes 169-380086-1 valve. But I'll need to move fast, if anyone wants them. I can't afford to buy them for stock.

I have pasted in the SOS schedule for 2007 (in the extended text). I have not been successful in arranging for an abbreviated version for a BAC Fly-In event. However, you can get both early sign-up discounts, and companion discounts. Perhaps the Regional Directors can arrange for a BAC group to attend some of these seminars, and average out the costs.

I received an e-mail from Mike saying that he has a family emergency and will be out of pocket for a few days. So please hold off communications requests to Mike until he gives us the all clear. Having said that I see that he is responding to messages on the site but please understand that Mike has some urgent matters to attend to and may not be as responsive as he typically is.

There have now been at least two instances in which evidence is conclusive that:
An incorrect or out-of-spec spring was present in the nose gear downlock cylinder.
Emergency extension testing was incorrectly performed during Annual Inspection, or not performed at all.

As most of our Sierra and Duchess drivers know, we are facing a new AD (AD 2006-18-15) from Hartzell, on the constant-speed props. Older Sierras and the A23-24 Supers, with the McCauley CSP, are not affected by this AD. Here is the FAA link.

If you will ever need a pair of the Beech logo emblems for your refurbished yokes, better get them now. Please read the updated Classified Ad for 'yoke emblem'.

I just extracted some photos forwarded by Paul Werbin, and added them to a new Lord Mounts album in Maintenance Photos. They show the damage caused by not properly aligning the cushions on the locating pins during installation. These are the cushions used on the IO360 200 HP installations.

BAC has financed a special purchase of all remaining inventory of some special-purpose wing spar repair kits. This supports one of the Club's original charters; to help keep our planes flying.

The FAA has issued an unapproved parts notice for SWCS.

The listed part numbers do not apply to our BAC aircraft, but these notices have a way of expanding. Either discuss any work (and this notice) with SWCS first, or consider using another vendor until this gets resolved.

AEC has sent photos of their prototype, and I have furnished them with applicability data and scans of the IPCs that reflect these handles. It is now time to fish or cut bait. See Photo Gallery, Maintenance, New PMA'd AEC Handles.

Hi all - had to rebuild the Fuel Selector at the same time I was putting on the door seals - take a look under the Maintenance Pix - Fuel Selector and Door Parts folders! BeechSportBill

I spoke just now with Kamran Rouhani, the head of AEC. I had e-mailed him and asked him if he would confirm that he has an offer to sell his entire inventory of donuts to a vendor who would in turn sell them at 10-15% less than Beech’s price. If so I’d like to let our BAC members know.

I have uploaded a pdf file for the installation of the Micro AeroDynamics VG's for N6993R, My Sport "160" Overall, the mod was very simple to install and I could not believe the results. Lower stall speed, better handling and no performance hit on speed. I hope you like the article.

Today, Ed Rogusz and I installed the Micro Aero VG kit. Total time from start to finish was 5 hours. The kit is very complete and well documented. On Monday, Feb 13th, 2006 Ed and I will be doing the flight test. I have prepared some data collection cards for stall speed, glide speed and cruise. We will be taking very detailed information during the flight.

The Hartwell H2532-13 exterior door handles are the ones with the disintegrating plastic housings. The same ones that came DOWN to $550 at RAPID last year. I have been working with AEC to come up with a more durable PMA alternative, made from aluminum.

Nine of you have purchased these kits from me (and thanks). I only have a few left. In doing my hardware inventory for the last few kits, I came up with a possible overage still on hand. UPDATED 2/10, Clevis Bolts

I got lucky and found a stash of new 169-420036-124 cabin door seals at slightly below list price. While the supply lasts, I can sell them for $65 each, including shipping within the Continental USA. This is $15+shipping below my recent pricing on the last batch that I found (roughly 25% lower price). First come, first served. BAC members get first shot, before I announce to MML participants. See my BAC Classifieds ad for these.

A limited number of aileron and Stabilator tab linkage kits will be available on Monday 02/06. These contain all the new Heim HM-4 rod ends and fasteners to renew your linkages for play removal. The selling price is lower than I had hoped; $135 rather than the projected $150. The normal price from Beech, just for the 169- prefixed rod ends, is $62 each (total of $248, with no other hardware). Some of the hardware is rather specialized, and won't be on the shelf at your local FBO (nor at Aircraft Spruce or Beech).

Our very own Bob Steward held up as an Expert on pre-buy inspections to the world in EAA Magazine! Pg 104 of the December 2005 issue of "EAA Sport Aviation" has an article in the nuts & bolts section called "Smart Shopping" with lots of good advice on pre-buy inspections!

A new illustrated instruction document has been added to the BAC Downloads. It shows how to remove, repair, and reinstall the wing fuel sump drain valves. New o-ring kits are also available now in the BAC Classifieds. I'm working on the Gascolator/Fuel Strainer repair document next.

Bill Manhein has discovered at least two Model 23 owners who did not know that they had an external power receptacle, nor how to use it. Bill was nice enough to put together an excellent illustrated overview for everyone. It is now available in the Downloads section.

SUMMARY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lycoming Engines (formerly Textron Lycoming) 360 and 540 containing ECI-brand connecting rods.

Ed. Note:
These would have primarily been used in Kit engines, and during some overhauls done in field shops (as opposed to by Lycoming). However, it is fairly uncommon for the connecting rods to be replaced during a standard overhaul; only the bolts are replaced.

The alternative FAA-PMA gear cushions (donuts) are now available from AEC. Kamran hopes and expects that the automated website ordering will be working on Monday;

AEC

My understanding is that the online ordering capability is now live, and includes a credit card option. Note that if the new online ordering capability does not work at the time you try it/need it, Kamran can accept manual orders by phone, but they will require non-card payment methods. Evidently AEC isn't set up for card orders in their office.

They are in my office, which is about a half mile from the Superdome in New Orleans. I am in Houston. I don't know when I will be able to get back into New Orleans to retrieve the shirts, see my house?, etc.

Have patience. All delivery dates for shirts are suspended indefinitely.

Cloyd

Raytheon/Beechcraft has released a new Service Bulletin, SB 24-3735 that affects all Skipper aircraft. Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) has received reports from piston owner/operators of circuit breaker toggle switches becoming overheated. These switches are utilized in various electrical systems throughout the airplane. This Service Bulletin is being issued to announce a replacement circuit breaker toggle switch with improved internal isolation, therefore, eliminating the potential overheating condition.

You can view the SB at the bottom of our Service Bulletins page.

I recently posted information on the BAC site about a notice I had received from Raytheon on a Beech surplus parts auction. Several of you expressed some interest in participating in such a venture. Some of us on the BAC Board have had some very general discussions on how BAC could help owners obtain critical and unavailable (or overly expensive) replacement parts for our planes.

Sep 17 — Sedona, AZ. Sedona Airport (SEZ). 2005 Airport Day and Car Show

The fly-in scheduled for this Saturday, August 5, at Dauphin Island, AL (4R9) is being postponed. We’ve had only a couple people express interest in attending. One of them has a conflict. I still haven’t been able to get the annual done on Minnie since my IA is still recovering from surgery. So I can’t make it.

We’ll try to do it at a later date.
Cloyd

I will continue taking orders for BAC logo denim shirts and golf shirts until July 31. Then I will place the order with the vendor. I will accept orders after July 31 but there is a minimum order quantity of 6 so anyone that orders after July 31 will have to wait until I have enough orders for the minimum.

View more details on the shirts available and payment.

News item courtesy of Tom Turner. Although the piece is aimed at Beech Travel Air owners, many of you may want to know this as well. See Possible NPRM Affecting Lycoming Engines. ABS has learned that a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking affecting Lycoming IO-360 engines on Beech Travel Airs may be published as early as this week. A NPRM is the precursor to a mandatory Airworthiness Directive (AD).

A new July 02 update note on our projects has been requested and received from AEC. Text pasted in below. Please note my request for a bad shimmy damper, so I can pursue that project (an alternative supplier to Beech).

Doug Lund reported a cracked gear bracket,and managed to get some pix while shooting blind through an access panel. New member Bill Manhein worked his magic on the photos, which are now posted in the Photo Albums. More photos and News will be posted as the unit repair proceeds. This area warrants inspection by mirror during every Annual Inspection.

Alrighty, then. Against all odds, the BAC Northeast Fly-In is happening! It is evolving, true, but (shhhh!) the Wx Gods are cooperating. Here are some details for those coming to Westfield (BAF).

A new July 02 update note on our projects has been requested and received from AEC. Text pasted in below. Please note my request for a bad shimmy damper, so I can pursue that project (an alternative supplier to Beech).

Time is closing in on the Liberal Flyin. Below is a list of the current events:
Arrivals: Friday and Saturday
Call 800-550-3111 for shuttle service

Motel Check in: Best Western (800-550-3111)

Friday & Saturday - May 20 & 21 9:00 A.M.
Beech Airport - Wichita, Kansas
Bldg. B-89 Located at Intersection of Kellogg & Greenwich on SE corner of Airport

Auction to include: Approx 5500 Line items of New Inventory for all models of Aircraft from Beech Musketeer to Beech King Air Inventory. Will include everything from Landing Gear, Wheel & Brake, to Control Surfaces, Skins, Brackets, Formers, Channels, Stringers, Fittings, Electrical, Lighting, Instruments, Spars, Etc.

Brian Foote grabbed the lead in the President's Trophy race after BAC East with his circuitous route to Dayton. He threatens more skullduggery in conjunction with the North to Alaska junket this summer. Brian is followed by Tom Corcoran with Jay Bruce, Dave Buttram and Rodney Boyd in a tight pack vying for third place.

Nearly 20 percent of all general aviation accidents are a result of mechanical failure. On April 27, 2002, a student pilot, his flight instructor, and one passenger were killed and another passenger was seriously injured when the engine in the student's Beech Sundowner failed over Oak Shores, California. Read what went wrong in this special report prepared by the AOPA Air Safety Foundation.

http://www.aopa.org/epilot/redir.cfm?adid=6760

Don't know anything about the details or what's on sale but there's an article in today's AOPA newsletter that says Raytheon is having a big parts sale.

BAC has been working two projects with AEC. The oldest project is for a PMA'd alternative to the Beech landing gear shock cushions, PN 169-380003-7, as used in all three gear on the fixed-gear planes, and in the nose gear of the Sierras. These are currently priced at $642 from Beech-RAPID. The project is long overdue (in progress for at least two years now), for a number of reported reasons from AEC that I have been repeating in periodic updates.

There are half a dozen folks who have pending orders with me for fuel filler cap o-ring kits. Just wanted to let everyone know that the large size rings are still on backorder (after nearly four weeks). I have been promised delivery in two weeks. I guess we'll see.

Copies of the 337's for the 160 HP conversion of my Sport. These 337's can be used as Prior Approved Data for the installation of the new engine. You can download the 377 here
Jeff Bryant
Southwest Regional Director

I have figured out why some of the buyers had a problem getting their new lock cylinders to stay in their handles. Please read the revised doc stored under Articles. I think you will also find it very helpful in identifying your handle type, and in understanding how to use the key properly to reduce wear. The cylinders are back up for sale.

Folks, I just discovered that half a dozen people have tried to order o-ring kits by leaving comments in the News announcement article. Unfortunately that's not what the comments function is for. I will not normally see those entries, as the News item rolls off the bottom of the home page. I also can't manage order control from the News Comments area (nor via BAC Messaging); and there is no email address. If you have tried to request o-rings from me (especially via News Comments), and have not heard back from me, please email me at mike@rellihan.com to follow up. Thanks.

If your aircraft records contain an approved 337 for the installation of a non-Beech engine control cable, please contact Tim Flight to arrange to fax it to him. We need to get more of these 337 forms up on the website, if at all possible. If it can be faxed to Tim, as opposed to being scanned at home and self-posted, Tim can probably get it into a form that is very readable but with a smaller download size.

I wanted to let you know that I have already sold out of the fuel cap kits. I have ordered more of the large o-rings, and should have them next week. I can continue to take orders, but shipment will be delayed.

In addition, I want to let you know that I also have the correct o-rings for the under- wing sump fuel drains. They will be $2 per pair shipped separately (postage included), or $1 per pair if included in with another order, for as long as my low-cost stock holds out.

Instructions have been posted on BAC for repair of both the fuel selector valve and the fuel filler caps. I have accumulated enough o-rings to provide a number of kits for both service operations. If there is enough interest, I'll get more.

Please read the new Download (with the same title) for details.

More pix of the Assembled Struts and the dinky self-centering cable - Keep looking and you'll get a sweet surprise!

To all CFIIs in BAC.

Hello all - If there is interest in FAR 25.853 compliant insulation I can arrange for substantial discounts for BAC members. This material is Reinforced Foil faced Melamine foam. It is used in commercial airliners. Material complies with FARs. This material is used for sound and thermal insulation. It comes in half inch and 1 inch thickness. Sheet size is 2ft by 4ft. If interested you can e-mail me directly at O_IFTIKHAR@bellsouth.net

Regards,
Osman Iftikhar
N61526

I have sent a discount pricing request to both David LoPresti, and to one of their distributors, for sets of two and sets of three caps. I will keep you posted.

I also asked David whether LoPresti would be willing to have the Model 76 Duchess added to the STC list. I'm the guy who asked them to add the 19/23/24 three or four years ago (when Roy was still alive), when I found that they were absent from the approved list. They were quickly added, so I have hopes that the 76 will be included soon.

I still have not gotten my hands on a Skipper parts book. If you own a Skipper (or the parts book), please identify the wheel sizes of all three wheels. Thanks

Several people wrote me to ask whether the wingtip strobe kits were still available, which used the wingtip-located independent power supplies. These kits are still available in the November 2004 Wag-Aero catalog, Page 38, part number 156-0003 (12V) and 156-0004 (24V). This is the style most often seen, that installs over the existing nav light assembly. The Wag-Aero website can be reached at http://www.wagaero.com/. This link is also in the BAC Links page.

Lt. Col. Rayford Brown just completed an alternator conversion on his Model 23. He was kind enough to take photos during the process, and to write an excellent instruction document to help others with future conversions. The document will be available for viewing and download sometime on 12/11/04.

Editor's Note: InterAV has significantly improved their main conversion bracket in these kits. What was once a flimsy combination of bent steel pieces, is now a monobloc adapter that should stay tight and resist vibration.

In my purchase research, I have found 3 engine shops that will take on the IO346 engine. All were contingent on a servicable crankcase, crankshaft and camshaft. G&N quoted me a price of $21-22000 for overhaul, Chuck Ney quoted $20000, and Poplar Grove Airmotive quoted $17900. Only Poplar Grove in their quote stated this was with new cylinders, and overhaul to new limits.

I now have most of what I think I need to complete the BAC Rosen Sunvisor Application Guide for our planes. I still need your help with:

1. A photo of the original sunvisor mounting in a Model 77 Skipper.
2. A photo of the original sunvisor mounting in a Model 76 Duchess.
3. An answer to this question, from anyone who knows: Does anyone have a 19/23 out there on which the sunvisor mount base has three screws fastening it to the airframe (instead of the common two-screw mount)? I have never seen one, but I though someone had reported having one like this.

My thanks to those who have already sent photos (Bob Howard, David Snodgrass, Harry Roussard).

Compliments of Joe Marsala:

In my search for someone to overhaul an IO346, so far I have found 2 shops that will undertake the job. G&N quoted a price of $21,000 - $22,000; Poplar Grove Airomotive quoted $17,900. Thought I'd pass that info on to all the Continental drivers out there. I have found a nice 1965 Mouse for sale, but I'm a bit leery on the motor.

Editor's note: There is also a good reference on the BAC website for Chuck Ney Enterprises, and for Western Skyways in Montrose, Colorado.

I would like to make a second request to owners of all airframes (except the Sierra MC366 and up; and the Sport MB1 through MB761; THX, Bill H); this includes a need for pix of the the 76 and 77. I am trying to accumulate close-up digital photos of a visor mount for each type of mount that exists in our planes, by serial number range. In return for the worthwhile discount, we are trying to help Rosen refine their applicability list, and to expand it to all models. Thanks for any help you can give me. Pix may be sent to rellihan@rellihan.com.

Rosen has reduced their list prices by $30 for BAC members. Your member number appears in the upper right corner of the Home Page when you log on, so you can furnish it to discounting vendors. Vendors have the capability to validate membership names against the charge cards or checks used for discounted purchases. Here is a paste of the pricing spreadsheet, also available in Downloads. The Rosen website link follows, and is also in the Links section.

I have some yoke logos, and some correct MS cad-plated short Pitot tube mounting screws (6-40 thread), on eBay. If you need any of these things, just email me directly with your needs. No need for you fellow BAC members to compete on eBay. I'm probably not going to fool with the BAC Classifieds for these. I also still have a pair of the rear seat area side vent trim pieces, where the ashtray and air outlet nozzle mount. They are in excellent used condition. rellihan@rellihan.com, or message me in BAC.

Casper Labs has agreed to offer BAC members a 5% discount on their rather attractive angled oil filter adapter. In turn, they need our help to verify the fit on more of our 19/23/24/76/77 airframe-engine combinations. The information is included in their link description on the BAC website. Their filter adapter is STC'd for most or all of the engines we use. Anyone else who is able to take some top-down and left-side-in photos, of the left rear area of the accessory case, would be much appreciated by the folks at CL. They have a Sundowner underway. Please send any photos to Bill Ryan, at n1wr@juno.com; cc to Mike Rellihan at mike@rellihan.com. My thanks to those who can help.

The FAA has issued an airworthiness directive that supersedes a previous AD for a series of combustion heaters made by Kelly Aerospace Power Systems.

Saw this Skipper instrument cluster on eBay.

Links to the Type Certificate Data Sheets for all BAC aircraft engines are now available in the Web Links section of the website. Find the TCDS for your engine and read up!

A current Power Flow Exhaust Systems interest list (Excel spreadsheet) has been updated to version 2004003 including the recent additions.

There is a set of two Skipper flap actuators up for bid on eBay, with a very low starting bid of $125 (for both) and no reserve. Also a set of Skipper control wheels (yokes). Good chance for one of our Skipper drivers! Also on eBay is a TKM MX 170B NAV/COMM if anyone is looking!

We now have a directory of mechanics and instructors who are familiar with BAC aircraft on our website. You will find it in the Main Menu. If you are an A&P or CFI with BAC aircraft experience and want to be added to the list, go to that page and click on the 'Suggest Listing' link.

Have you ever wondered just were those numbers come from that are posted in the old and trusted POH performance section? They come from years of experience and testing of various designs from the manufacture and a little physics thrown in for good measure.

Vendor wants to do an STC for the kit, but needs a plane to do the flight testing with.

Call Challenger aviation products at 937-667-0510. They need someone to fly off 50 hours on one of their filters before they can apply for the STC on the sport.

If you have a digital CHT and have noticed spreads in temp between cylinders, this information is for you...

As many of you know, I also participate in the Grumman email list, and this week while consulting with a well known engine shop over a problem that they'd been working on for 3 weeks a new discovery was made that suddenly dropped the CHTs 40+ degrees on engines that were running too hot.