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7. Service life of an airplane and maintenance cycles
Regular and accurate maintenance is essential in terms of reliable and safe operations of an
airplane. The warranty inspection and the inspections every 100 and 300 hours should be
recorded in a flight book.
7.1 Service life of an airplane
The airplane consists of 3 main construction groups that are airframe, engine and propeller.
They all have their own specific service life.
Wear of the airplane depends on the stress and that’s why you should avoid high stress
situations, especially the ones caused by high load factors. Do not de-rig the airplane very
often and anchor the airplane only as prescribed in this manual. Try to avoid landings on
runways with high grass, which can noticeably stress the propeller.
Regular conservation using high quality car wax considerably slows down the aging of the
varnish. If possible, park an airplane in a covered hangar. If not at least cover an airplane to
protect it against weather effects.
Speaking in time limits there is no service life of an engine. The engine is subject to overhaul
in a service center where the service life is specified every 1500 hours.
The service life of the propeller is not fixed; it undergoes regular inspections at the producer’s
service center. The service life will be specified according to its actual state.
7.2 Maintenance
When buying a new airplane, especially carefully check tightening of the fuel lines in the
engine area and the state of the fuel filter. Beside that carefully check all attachment points
where the lines are taped to metal parts of the engine - for example suction lines.
ATTENTION
Preventively change the fuel filter after the first ten flight hours.
We can not prevent dust or other dirt from getting into the tank of the fuel system while
producing an airplane. Your airplane is equipped with tank(s) in the wing(s), each equipped
with independent fuel screen on the fuel feed line. Fuel filter is approachable after taking off
the seats. Check this filter and change it preventively after 150 liters of fuel have been
burned (from each tank).
Use filters with clear housing.
Daily maintenance
consists of pre-flight inspection, engine run-up and after flight inspection.
They are introduced in sections 3.2, 3.3.1.1 and 3.4.
7.2.1 Lubrication
To lubricate the engine use only the oil prescribed by the engine producer in the engine
operator’s manual. The oil change period is every 100 hours.
To lubricate other areas, it is possible to use any plastic lubricants or any transmission oil.
For hard to reach locations (attachment points, bearings) fill a syringe with small amount of
oil and for the application use a needle with a bigger diameter. It is enough to apply only 1-2
drops of oil.
Oil serves as a conservative agent so use the following table only for your orientation and
base your decision on actual state of the lubricating area.
Flight Manual Page 32 of 40
