---------------------------------------------------------- Commander-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 12/18/03: 6 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 01:22 PM - PRETTY QUITE OT YHERE (YOURTCFG@aol.com) 2. 03:02 PM - Autopilot (MOEMILLS@aol.com) 3. 07:02 PM - Re: Autopilot (CloudCraft@aol.com) 4. 07:09 PM - Re: PRETTY QUITE OT YHERE (CloudCraft@aol.com) 5. 08:09 PM - Re: Autopilot (Jim Addington) 6. 09:18 PM - Re: PRETTY QUITE OT YHERE (YOURTCFG@aol.com) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 01:22:43 PM PST US From: YOURTCFG@aol.com Subject: Commander-List: PRETTY QUITE OT YHERE --> Commander-List message posted by: YOURTCFG@aol.com HI KIDS.. Pretty quite out there. Anybody flying anyplace interesting for the holidays?? I am working on getting triple 2 back in the air. I have bought a couple of "0" engines. I am looking them over to make certain they are in good shape after sitting for years. I think they will be just fine. I am detailing them now. I have been delivering a bunch of airplanes, but no Commanders :-( The last two have been the new American Aviation Scout. Great little airplane!! I have a UPF-7 Waco to deliver if it makes it out of annual. Then a 680 to Canada. Hope all is well in your Commanderland!! jb ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 03:02:17 PM PST US From: MOEMILLS@aol.com Subject: Commander-List: Autopilot --> Commander-List message posted by: MOEMILLS@aol.com Commander drivers, I need advice. My M4 autopilot has pretty much died recently after having minor "band aid" repairs done which has kept it somewhat operating for the last few hundred hours. Should I have it completely rebuilt or should I wait for S-TEC ? Obviously the autopilot is pretty important to me as all of my flying is single pilot and most of it is in very crowded conditions (Los Angeles Basin based). Within reason, at this time I am more concerned with a good autopilot with dependability and longevity than the initial price. Below are some numbered questions which I would greatly appreciate anyone with experience answering. 1. How many flight hours can a primary servo be expected to live after a good competent rebuild? 2. How many flight hours can a trim servo be expected to live after a good competent rebuild? 3. How many flight hours can a flight computer be expected to live after a good competent rebuild? 4. How many flight hours can an altitude control can be expected to live after a good competent rebuild? 5. Does anyone have a recommendation on a reliable source to rebuild the individual components of this system? 6. Does anyone have a recommendation on a reliable source to overhaul the entire system on the plane....in less than a month? Thanks, Moe Mills N680RR ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:02:36 PM PST US From: CloudCraft@aol.com Subject: Re: Commander-List: Autopilot --> Commander-List message posted by: CloudCraft@aol.com Moe, I cannot answer your question(s) as to MTBF on overhauled autopilot components -- especially on a system of the M4 vintage. Autopilot Central in Tulsa, OK, was the last place I took an M4 system and they were willing and able to test and repair the computer boards down to an individual capacitor or resistor rather than swap out entire boards. One thing that Bob Ferguson pointed out to me re: autopilot longevity was that "everyone has a maintenance program for the airframe and engines but nobody has scheduled maintenance for autopilots and servos." Good point .... Give them a call and see if you can get a handle on their inventory of spares for the M4 and if there's any technicians left who are old enough to understand the system. I think they'll be honest with you if it's time to gut your FP and go with an STEC. Autopilot Central 3112 N. 74th East Avenue Tulsa OK 74115 tel 918-836-6418 fax 918-835-3534 attn: Barry Sparks or Robert Ferguson Good luck. I agree with you, by the way. Given your operating environment, a functioning a/p is a must. Wing Commander Gordon ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:09:49 PM PST US From: CloudCraft@aol.com Subject: Re: Commander-List: PRETTY QUITE OT YHERE --> Commander-List message posted by: CloudCraft@aol.com In a message dated 12/18/03 13:23:15 Pacific Standard Time, YOURTCFG@aol.com writes: Pretty quite out there. Anybody flying anyplace interesting for the holidays?? I am working on getting triple 2 back in the air. Capt. JimBob, That's great news about 3 Twos. Where did you dig up a pair of engines? As for me, I'm too busy with the biz jet thing. Just in from 6 back-to-back days and launching on Friday for 9 days. Not all of it will be flying ... a bit of sitting on my tail in New York but a nice variety of places like Durango, CO; Truckee, CA; Redding, CA; some upstate NY and the Big City as I said. As always, I will be listening for Commanders on the ATC frequencies. It always makes me pleased to hear you guys in the air. Happy Holidays to all, (Even to our Mates in Oz who have Christmas in the middle of summer, of all things) Wing Commander Gordon ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 08:09:14 PM PST US From: "Jim Addington" Subject: RE: Commander-List: Autopilot --> Commander-List message posted by: "Jim Addington" Moe, I can't speak for S-TEC now but they used my plane for the STC for Commanders. This was in 1988 and I have not had any problems with it that was not my error. I wish every thing else on the plane was that good. If you have any questions I would be glad to answer them. I have a 500-A and had them put in the S-TEC 65 with FD and all the bells except yaw damper which we did not think was necessary. I really do like it. jtaddington@charter.net Jim Addington N444BD -----Original Message----- From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of MOEMILLS@aol.com Subject: Commander-List: Autopilot --> Commander-List message posted by: MOEMILLS@aol.com Commander drivers, I need advice. My M4 autopilot has pretty much died recently after having minor "band aid" repairs done which has kept it somewhat operating for the last few hundred hours. Should I have it completely rebuilt or should I wait for S-TEC ? Obviously the autopilot is pretty important to me as all of my flying is single pilot and most of it is in very crowded conditions (Los Angeles Basin based). Within reason, at this time I am more concerned with a good autopilot with dependability and longevity than the initial price. Below are some numbered questions which I would greatly appreciate anyone with experience answering. 1. How many flight hours can a primary servo be expected to live after a good competent rebuild? 2. How many flight hours can a trim servo be expected to live after a good competent rebuild? 3. How many flight hours can a flight computer be expected to live after a good competent rebuild? 4. How many flight hours can an altitude control can be expected to live after a good competent rebuild? 5. Does anyone have a recommendation on a reliable source to rebuild the individual components of this system? 6. Does anyone have a recommendation on a reliable source to overhaul the entire system on the plane....in less than a month? Thanks, Moe Mills N680RR ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 09:18:50 PM PST US From: YOURTCFG@aol.com Subject: Re: Commander-List: PRETTY QUITE OT YHERE --> Commander-List message posted by: YOURTCFG@aol.com In a message dated 12/18/2003 7:10:25 PM Pacific Standard Time, CloudCraft@aol.com writes: Where did you dig up a pair of engines? Great to hear from you WCG. Believe it or don't, they were only 100 miles from here. Overhauled a long time ago (Back when there were lots of new parts lying about), but properly stored. I will remove the cyls to check for any signs of deterioration from age, install all new overhead gaskets and do some detailing to improve the cosmetics to look like the engines done now (Gold cad plating etc.). It is still a big job, but oh well. I also plan to instal new oil cells, and new brake disc and linings and............... You get the idea!! Hope you have a great Christmas!! jb