Many thanks to Karsten Gerard-Smith for helping out with the dirty cleaning work this weekend, it was tedious work but your assistance was really appreciated!

This past week the Rolls Royce-Continental 0-240A engine has been pulled down to components in preparation for a complete overhaul. The tear down revealed an unhealthy centre main bearing, justifying the decision to overhaul.

Both the crankshaft and camshaft will be sent away to the USA where they will be inspected and reground. We anticipate these back in country in mid January 2019.

Many thanks to AOPA Australia Vice President & Treasurer, Richard Talbot, for lending his assistance for the engine tear down. Not many pilots get the opportunity to see an aircraft engine pulled down to components, the process was really educational and gave a much better understanding of how the ‘noise-maker’ works. If your keen to learn more about aircraft engines, Richard and his colleagues from the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia will be running engine builder workshops at AUSFLY 2019, 17-20th October, be sure to check them out.

The engine frame will be sent away on Monday to be inspected, crack tested and repaired if necessary, following which it will be given a new coat of white paint. We should receive the frame back within two weeks.

This past week we also took a complete inventory of the nose wheel oleo, fork and shim damper assembly, which will require a full tear down and refurbishment. This will comprise of a full strip and paint, along with new seals etc.

Next weekend the team will focus on preparing all of the airframe components; dirt, grease, oil and grime can prevent paint strippers from working effectively, so we will be cleaning and degreasing the horizontal stabiliser, fin, elevators, rudder, flaps and ailerons.

Stay tuned for more updates.