KI-256 Removal

[AndyFromCB]

Got a quick question. I'm removing the autopilot, HSI and AI to send out for an overhaul. I got everything out but the AI. I got the plug off but seem to be unable to get the 2 vacuum hoses off. They are simply pushed on, no clamps of any sort. Is there a trick to making them come off or do you just cut them off and install new ones each time the AI is removed?

Thanks,

Andy

P.S. BTW, does a 337 have to be signed by an IA or will an A&P do?

[PTK]

The AI is a component of the autopilot. It does have to be installed and signed off by a licenced installer to be legal.

[AndyFromCB]

Allsmiles,

Two separate questions. I wasn't asking about whether or not AI removal/install requires a A&P and/or AI. That's between me, my mechanic who is working on roofs for next two weeks because it pays much better than being an A&P, the Lord, unemployed Randy Babbitt and his yet unnamed replacement and the faries who magically fix airplanes. So, here they are:

1.) How do you get the vacuum hose KI-256 (not interested in FARs)

2.) I was asking if a 337 for any STC'd mod can be signed by an A&P or whether it requires an A&P AI (interested in FARs)

Andy

[Cruiser]

They will not want to come loose but the hoses just pull off. Be very careful if there is a vacuum switch mounted on the back of the AI not to break it where the threads meet the housing, they are fragile.

[Piloto]

Over time the hoses kind of glue in into the pipe. Grip the hose around with a pair of pliers and try rotating it but not pulling it out.

José

[FAST FLIGHT OPTIONS LLC]

Quote: astelmaszek

Allsmiles,

Two separate questions. I wasn't asking about whether or not AI removal/install requires a A&P and/or AI. That's between me, my mechanic who is working on roofs for next two weeks because it pays much better than being an A&P, the Lord, unemployed Randy Babbitt and his yet unnamed replacement and the faries who magically fix airplanes. So, here they are:

1.) How do you get the vacuum hose KI-256 (not interested in FARs)

2.) I was asking if a 337 for any STC'd mod can be signed by an A&P or whether it requires an A&P AI (interested in FARs)

Andy

[Lionudakis]

A 337 can be signed by an A&P who did the work (box 6), but has to be signed below that box for approval to return to service (box7) by an A&P with IA, or any of the other options.

Those vacuum hoses might be on barbed fittings. Cut length wise from the end back about an inch or so, sometimes theres plenty of hose slack to cut the end off and reuse the hose, or just replace it all while your at it. Clean any debris from removal to spare the vacuum cleaner on the other end :-)

[AndyFromCB]

Well,

In order for the airplane fairies to arrive, one must first spend close to a $600 bucks on a set of service manuals and then understand and come to terms that average HVAC system is much more complicated than one's airplane (under though a Mooney looks really scary under the panel a first few times) and then to come to terms that an average A&P is an A&P because BMW's were too hard to work on, or bodies(hence dentists), or software (hence business analysts), or networks (hence IT directors), etc. Then they just magically show up on the weekends, fix things and annuals look like paper annuals because the A&P didn't have to do anything but inspect and sometimes comply with a AD...

Andy

[PTK]

I don't know the answer Andy, I can't help you. What I do know are my limitations and when to recruit the professional. They are professionals not only because of a $600 set of manuals. I wouldn't mess with my Mooney's AI and vacuum system just as I wouldn't mess with my BMW! If I did I would be a jack of all trades and master of none!

I'm a firm believer that some things are best left to professionals!

[richardheitzman]

The AI hoses requires a special tool that is in my tool box. If you don't have that tool, then you need to cu the hose as close to the fitting as possible, making sure you have enough slack in the remaining hose to reconnect when you get the AI back. Make sure you cover the ends of the hoses on the aircraft and the AI when you are shipping. Make sure you use the right plastic covers on the AI for shipping. If you dont have those, use plastic covers but put a pin hole in each one.

[fantom]

Be very light o the player grip.cutting about an inch up is a good suggestion.

Ignore the jack off of all trades

[eldeano]

Sometimes it is easier to take the hose off from the opposite end.

[PTK]

Sounds like you are going to need some specialized tools along with those maintenance manuals! Here is a novell idea: why not pay a professional a few bucks to do it right and stimulate the local economy!?  Just an idea! Maybe that A&P wouldn't have to double up as a roofer.

[AndyFromCB]

Allsmiles,

The tool was about 7 bucks. You missed the point, my A&P, who also is a non-equity partner in my airplanes owns a roofing company, so I'm not doing anything illegal, he'll be there for the reinstall and logbook entry. 

As to trusting to professionals, I agree on a lot of things, at the very least to have another set of eyes verify the work, but more often than than, over the years, I have found myself telling various so called 'professionals' how to do their job including A&Ps. I can bring out hundreds of examples but a simple one happend last week when I called an eletrician to the house to install some under the cabinet lights, he did, billed me $400 for the job. One of the best, according to Angie's list. Before paying for it, I looked over the wiring diagram, he hooked up the dimmer on the DC output side and did not use a junction box, just some tape, so the transformer was always drawing full power and the was exposed wiring junction in the wall. I looked at him and told him I'm billing him $400 for continueing education. He looked at my funny. I told him the City Engineer was my neighboor and I'll gladly call him over to take a second look. Told him to pack up his crap, fixed his mess and he gladly left at that without being paid. The other profession that I deal with in my life quite a bit are attorneys and I almost never allow one to do any thinking on their own either, the results are scary. In two decades of running businesses never lost a case yet.

Don't get me started on licensed professionals. in 90% of case, the same set of qualities that allow one to take years of mindless schooling and goverment mandated testing are exactly opposite of what I ever look for in an employee. Only one computer major in my whole shop and not one Microsoft Cerfitied anything.

The only time I disagree is doctors. I want the dumbest SOB treating me as it has been proven over and over again that any sort of thinking in that profession leads to bad results. Follow the flow chart (university of chicago trama center study).

I had 3 A&Ps scratching their had for a week to a tune of $2543 trying to understand what was wrong with the voltage regulator when I first got the bravo. Fixed it myself when I finally got pissed off and took the time to study the charging system.

I'm an strutural engineer by education, programmer by profession, a contractor/plumber/electrician because of variety of businesses I've started, co-owned and sold over the years. And an occasional 'doctor', quite handy with a suture on climbing and sailing expeditions. 

So maybe you should invest $600 bucks in a set of maintenance manuals. Might save your bacon one of these days when a licensed A&P screws something major up during an annual.

[Cruiser]

Based on the above you shouldn't have any trouble pulling the vacuum hose off the back of the AI

[AndyFromCB]

And I didn't, but wanted to ask the question first. Come off just fine ;-) That's how one learns in the first place. Not knowing anything about a line of business has never been a disatvantage in any line of business, just knowing that you don't know. Few years back I sold my equity in 27 location auto body shop. Didn't know anything about fixing car bodies when I started that company either (bought a TU shop);-) We got bought out because I sat in the first location for 3 months and watched very inefficient mechanics fixing cars, then I made them efficient and replicated it against 27 locations and then sold it. After 3 months I knew more about fixing car bodies than all the kids working in that first shop combined. Might just become a mooney expert after I'm done with this Bravo. Quite frankly your average large front loader is more complicated than my Mooney. If I could just figure out how to make your average A&P shop more efficient via IT, I might own a bunch of them but I just don't see the future in aviation being that bright.

[MARZ]

I have a special tool as well - silver thin and sharp - works great every time.  Typically when I need to resort to using it it's because

a. the hose is old and brittle and need to be replaced

b. the item the hose is attached to is in such a position that it's impossible to get a grip without risking bodily harm

c. the item the hose is attached to is about 200 times the cost to replace the hose.

d. I don't have the three hours it's going to take to finesse the hose off the barbed fitting...