Avionics News April 2012 - 74

series
B y t H o M a S i n M a n

Special Qualities
’ve complained before about auto mechanics and electrical problems. In one case, the dealer replaced every electronic box in the vehicle except the radio. In the end, he finally found a broken harness. In another, where an electric fan would run too fast, the mechanic replaced a relay. I guess he thought bad relays turn into amplifiers. In the latter case, I traded off the car before I ever learned what the real problem was. Sometimes, I think airframe and powerplant mechanics are not much better at troubleshooting electrical problems. I remember being called in from the field several times to assist in troubleshooting systems, which were not avionics specific. I managed to use basic methods of electronic troubleshooting and help in a positive way. Recently, I worked with a mechanic who looked upon a lack of bus power with fear and trepidation. The aircraft with the problem was old and complex. The maintenance documentation did not give any specifics regarding the powerless bus. In this case, my job
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was to encourage, and if necessary, assist. For encouragement, I told the mechanic about how my experience has taught me the problems with the most severe symptoms were, quite often, the easiest to fix. Once he confirmed the symptom, I encouraged him

additional enthusiasm. Together, we decided to give the bus unit a more thorough examination and create a wiring diagram. As of this writing, we are almost through the new wiring diagram. Along the way, he and a colleague found and repaired a few more wiring problems. Another young mechanic

Yes, we avionics technicians are special people. We could give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money. We observe, deduce, theorize and test our theories. even a simple return to service test follows a scientific method.

to start small, remove the breaker and bus unit and have a look. He did, and two problems leapt out. One wire was disconnected, and one circuit breaker was broken. He reconnected the wire and ordered a replacement circuit breaker. My assistance was confined to pointing out which vender to use for breaker ordering. Later, and before the breaker arrived, the young mechanic arrived at the shop with a bit of

is facing a similar problem with an ancient Hiller helicopter, and today, he received encouragement, not from me, but from the first young mechanic. A small amount of experience, combined with a positive outcome, works wonders. The breaker has not arrived yet, but I’m happy to report the bus is now partially operative. The electric hydraulic pump and some other systems are working again. Once the new breaker is installed,

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Avionics News April 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News April 2012

Point of Communication
AEA Now
The View from Washington
International News and Regulatory Updates
Datalink Weather
Member Profile
Where Are They Now?
Before & After
Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie
A Conversation With...
Aircraft Electrical Wiring
Meet the AEA Staff
Member Profile
The AEA Ambassador Program
Business Basics
Pro-to-col
Industry Profile
Theory & Practice
What's New
Marketplace Classifieds
Avionics News April 2012 - Cover1
Avionics News April 2012 - Cover2
Avionics News April 2012 - 1
Avionics News April 2012 - 2
Avionics News April 2012 - 3
Avionics News April 2012 - Point of Communication
Avionics News April 2012 - 5
Avionics News April 2012 - AEA Now
Avionics News April 2012 - 7
Avionics News April 2012 - 8
Avionics News April 2012 - 9
Avionics News April 2012 - 10
Avionics News April 2012 - 11
Avionics News April 2012 - 12
Avionics News April 2012 - 13
Avionics News April 2012 - 14
Avionics News April 2012 - 15
Avionics News April 2012 - The View from Washington
Avionics News April 2012 - 17
Avionics News April 2012 - International News and Regulatory Updates
Avionics News April 2012 - 19
Avionics News April 2012 - Datalink Weather
Avionics News April 2012 - 21
Avionics News April 2012 - 22
Avionics News April 2012 - 23
Avionics News April 2012 - Member Profile
Avionics News April 2012 - 25
Avionics News April 2012 - 26
Avionics News April 2012 - 27
Avionics News April 2012 - Where Are They Now?
Avionics News April 2012 - 29
Avionics News April 2012 - 30
Avionics News April 2012 - 31
Avionics News April 2012 - 32
Avionics News April 2012 - Before & After
Avionics News April 2012 - Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie
Avionics News April 2012 - 35
Avionics News April 2012 - 36
Avionics News April 2012 - 37
Avionics News April 2012 - A Conversation With...
Avionics News April 2012 - 39
Avionics News April 2012 - Aircraft Electrical Wiring
Avionics News April 2012 - 41
Avionics News April 2012 - 42
Avionics News April 2012 - 43
Avionics News April 2012 - 44
Avionics News April 2012 - 45
Avionics News April 2012 - Meet the AEA Staff
Avionics News April 2012 - 47
Avionics News April 2012 - 48
Avionics News April 2012 - 49
Avionics News April 2012 - Member Profile
Avionics News April 2012 - 51
Avionics News April 2012 - 52
Avionics News April 2012 - 53
Avionics News April 2012 - The AEA Ambassador Program
Avionics News April 2012 - 55
Avionics News April 2012 - 56
Avionics News April 2012 - 57
Avionics News April 2012 - 58
Avionics News April 2012 - 59
Avionics News April 2012 - Business Basics
Avionics News April 2012 - 61
Avionics News April 2012 - 62
Avionics News April 2012 - 63
Avionics News April 2012 - 64
Avionics News April 2012 - 65
Avionics News April 2012 - Pro-to-col
Avionics News April 2012 - 67
Avionics News April 2012 - 68
Avionics News April 2012 - 69
Avionics News April 2012 - Industry Profile
Avionics News April 2012 - 71
Avionics News April 2012 - 72
Avionics News April 2012 - 73
Avionics News April 2012 - Theory & Practice
Avionics News April 2012 - 75
Avionics News April 2012 - 76
Avionics News April 2012 - 77
Avionics News April 2012 - 78
Avionics News April 2012 - 79
Avionics News April 2012 - What's New
Avionics News April 2012 - 81
Avionics News April 2012 - 82
Avionics News April 2012 - 83
Avionics News April 2012 - 84
Avionics News April 2012 - 85
Avionics News April 2012 - Marketplace Classifieds
Avionics News April 2012 - 87
Avionics News April 2012 - 88
Avionics News April 2012 - Cover3
Avionics News April 2012 - Cover4
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