Pilot Reports
Uganda or Bust!
Superstition has no part in successful flying. Yet, some friends think that I shouldn’t fly this trip.
For three weeks now we have been trying to start the trip to Entebbe Uganda with the C-210 to deliver for our customer. While this is a very clean 1977 Centurion, it seems that one maintenance glitch after another has caused delay. None of them have been major problems; it’s just a lot easier to fix an airplane in the US than it is in Africa.
None of them have been major, except… I believe that the failure of the gear to come down could be considered major. At least it is when I’m the one flying.
It was the test flight for the ferry fuel system and time to land. The gear seemed to extend but was missing the green light indicating that the gear was safely down. Then the hydraulic pack overheated and popped the circuit breaker. Now the slipstream blew the gear halfway back up. Clearly the gear wasn’t locked down.
By “coincidence” I happened to be reviewing a new pilot communication tool called the Angel. One of its many features included a Bluetooth link between my cell phone and headset. This was most convenient today. A call to the mechanic brought him to the runway to inspect the gear during the flyover. Soon it was determined that full extension was being achieved but that the down locks weren’t engaging. It was really cool to have a crystal clear conversation so conveniently.
The solution was to fly at minimum speed and when over the fence at the end of the runway, reset the circuit breaker to fully extend the gear and land before it popped again.
Maybe next week will be a better time to start this trip. Already, today is a better day because of the Angel sitting on my left knee. Now I’m really motivated to explore everything that it can do. It has pulled my fat out of the fire once already. Will it do it again? I’ll let you know from Uganda.
Story: Bill Scott– Wings of Eagles Aircraft Delivery
Photo credits: Steve Hall – Wings of Eagles Aircraft Delivery