|
-
POSTING RULES

-
Donate yearly (please).
-
Advertise in here!
-
Today's Posts
|
Insert Pics
|

04-12-2020, 12:47 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Santa Monica, California
Posts: 139
|
|
How to maintain plane during Coronavirus shutdown?
Here in Los Angeles County, we've been ordered to stay at home, except for essential activities, until the Coronavirus pandemic is under control. I have decided that, for me, that means no flying. I don't criticize others who are flying. Indeed, a couple of flight schools in the area are still giving dual instruction. But I have decided that I will wait to fly, until we get the all-clear from medical experts.
I'm uncertain what to do to keep my Rotax 912 ULS-equipped RV-12 in good shape until I can fly it again. The NBAA advised pilots who are not flying to "exercise" their planes, and I interpreted "exercise" to mean doing a run-up periodically. However, I've also read and been told that running up an engine without flying it can do more harm than good.
My plane is in a hangar. The fuel tank is full. The oil has just been changed. And the battery is connected to a trickle charger. If I thought I wasn't going to be able to fly again for several months, I know there is more that could be done, but not things that I am equipped to do myself. So my question boils down to this: should I do a runup every week or so, or should I leave well enough alone so as not to cause damage where none now exits?
__________________
Lon Sobel
Santa Monica, CA
RV-12, N58CV
VAF 2020 Dues Paid
Last edited by lon@carolon.net : 04-12-2020 at 01:21 PM.
|

04-12-2020, 01:24 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sherman, CT
Posts: 794
|
|
I would think flying your RV IS an "essential" activity. Took my wife down the Hudson VFR corridor today. Didn't see one other plane.
__________________
Jake
RV6 #20477 completed 1991 sold.
RV7 #72018 N767T first flight 11/21/2017 350+ hrs.
IO-360M1B MT 3 blade, Dual AFS 5600 QUICK Panel.
Manual Flaps. (KOXC)Oxford, CT, (0NY0)North Creek, NY.
1941 J3 Cub skis,floats.
2020 dues gladly paid.
|

04-12-2020, 01:27 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 1,645
|
|
Maintaining currency essential .. go fly .. just stay away from people or mask up!
I've been practicing approaches, the only human interaction I have is with the fuel truck and we both have masks, gloves, and I have a bottle of alcohol mixed with water for cleanup afterwards. Also, staying upwind doesn't hurt 
__________________
RV-14A #140376
N196 (Flying)
2019 Bronze Lindy
|

04-12-2020, 01:35 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Granada Hills
Posts: 820
|
|
Jump in that bird, do the run up, and take a flight to KCMR or KSZP, buy some fresh fuel, and fly back home.
1x a week when the weather cooperates helps.
Here's where we flew yesterday.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...1%20-119.00169
back home. https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...20200411/2032Z
There were a LOT of very nicely painted RV's in the EAA Chapter building in Bakersfield. Some of the best "show car" quality paint jobs I've ever seen, design wise, and color wise, on the planes there. Someone nearby is an outstanding artist.
What we saw.
https://youtu.be/f6_m7cdjdDg
Flying is practicing the ultimate in social distancing. You're almost never closer than 6 feet from anyone.
I am also almost dead certain I'm one of the "herd" that survived getting the Corona Virus head on in the middle of January, so my system can handle exposure. If you got sick with it, you probably noted how remarkably different your illness was to anything else you've ever gotten sick with. I'll probably take the test when it becomes available, to answer, without a doubt whether I am not already cleared of this as a health exposure problem.
Last edited by NinerBikes : 04-12-2020 at 01:40 PM.
|

04-12-2020, 01:38 PM
|
 |
Moderator, Asst. Line Boy
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Flower Mound, TX
Posts: 1,473
|
|
X3. As a pilot, you maintaining your currency, qualifications, and competence represents an essential transportation task.
__________________
Scroll
Sid "Scroll" Mayeux, Col, USAF (ret)
52F NW Regional/Aero Valley Airport, Roanoke TX (home of DR's Van Cave)
"KELLI GIRL" N260KM RV-7A tipper
Catch her on YouTube's "Because I Fly!" channel
Exemption waived.
Proud and grateful 2020 -=VAF=- Contributor
|

04-12-2020, 01:58 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
Posts: 2,645
|
|
Since you said that for you, it means no flying, I respect that decision. It sounds like you have done about everything you can do to protect your plane for a month or so. Hopefully that will be as long as this goes.
I can't comment on the trickle charger not knowing what battery you have. Some say yes, some say no. With the P680 I have experience with, I would leave it off the charger until I was ready to fly again.
Good luck with this virus and spend time with your POH, manuals, and researching where you will be flying when you get the chance to again!
__________________
rockwoodrv9a
Williamston MI
O-320 D2A
Awaiting DAR Inspection
|

04-12-2020, 02:10 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Southwest
Posts: 1,120
|
|
Let me help
Let me help. Drop off the keys a d airport gate card and I will fly it often.
__________________
John S
WARNING! Information presented in this post is my opinion. All users of info have sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for their use.
Dues paid 2020, worth every penny
RV9A- Status:
Tail 98% done
Wings 98% done
Fuselage Kit 98% done
Finishing Kit 35% canopy done for now
Electrical 5% in work
Firewall Forward 5% in work
www.pilotjohnsrv9.blogspot.com
|

04-12-2020, 02:24 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: San Diego
Posts: 403
|
|
Not running a motor, especially one stored on the coast, is not a good thing. I respect your decision not to fly, but I?d suggest following whatever Rotax engine storage procedure there may be, after whatever time Rotax says to do it.
__________________
RV-9A, Fallbrook Ca (L18)
Paid, Jan 2020
|

04-12-2020, 04:50 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NE Where
Posts: 340
|
|
As long you have avgas in it, there should be little issue with it sitting for 30 days or so. Yes ground runs are more harmful than good. Fresh oil is good also, don't contaminate it with ground runs.
George
|

04-12-2020, 05:09 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 333
|
|
Tires and cockpit
Check tires are pumped up to correct pressure and clear the cockpit of anything that could cause mustiness while it is closed up, e.g. water bottles, cleaning rags, candy bars. It will be better for external surfaces also if it is clean of bugs, salt and grime.
__________________
Paul vS (yes I'm also a Van)
Building RV-6A #22320 O-320 FP. Wings and tail complete, working on fuselage
Flying my low-n-slow Aeroprakt A-22 and the aero club's RV-9A while I build
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:20 AM.
|