I have a trip to Michigan scheduled for next Friday and have been struggling to get my IFR Recerts done before that trip. I guess it is a great thing that we have to do this inspection every other year, as my airplane is clearly having some issues. Lancaster Avionics found a slot for me, so I’m hanging out in their lounge for the day. I’ve done this before many times, and the outcome is always good – eventually.
Prior to this I could not find anyone available to do the recert. My friend Jeff recommended a guy that would come to my hangar, but he warned me that he couldn’t do the repair if needed, only the evaluation and certification if it was already in compliance. He passed the transponder, but found a leak in my static system and discontinued his work.
Phill-Air normally does this work for me, but he was having trouble fitting me into his schedule. Fortunately, I also do quite a bit of work with Lancaster Avionics for my airplane and for the Cheyenne that I fly. They found me a slot and I grabbed it for today. Both of these technicians are solid, but I do prefer Lancaster for my radio work. I feel like they can do more when I need it, like today.
Before I walked down to the restaurant for lunch, I got an update that tells me that the leak is fixed, but that I have multiple issues to contend with. The altitude encoder on my standby altimeter was out of tolerance, and he will be trying to adjust it back in. The Aspen PFD is also out of tolerance, so that will be addressed after we determine if the encoder actually can be fixed.
I am not worried. This kind of thing just happens. If I have to drive to Michigan, then that is what I’ll do. If I need to buy a new or reconditioned altimeter/encoder, then I’ll do that too. Maybe it will brighten my day to replace the failed unit with something better, shinier, and newer.
I’m having a cup of coffee after an excellent but relatively low calorie lunch. Life is good, and the circumstances will drive what happens next.
Make it safe, whatever you do. I fly hard IFR allot.
Fly Safe
Frank