March 2015-
Q: Hi Steve,
I want to make another set of keys for my Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche. I’ve decided to let my son buy a half share in the airplane and he needs keys.
My experience is that buying anything from Piper is expensive—and besides, this airplane is 48 years old. Do you think Piper still stocks key blanks for my airplane?
What do you recommend?
—Keyless Ken
A: Dear Ken,
It’s not difficult to get new key blanks; any good key and lock shop should have them. In fact, it’s not that unusual to find blanks in well-stocked local hardware stores and in some big-box hardware stores, too.
Two numbers that identify the proper key blank are 01122A and Y-11.
If it’s easier or more convenient to shop by mail, you can buy key blanks online. I found a number of vendors by typing “Piper key blank” into an internet search engine.
Happy flying.
Q: Hi Steve,
I want to put better cabin door and baggage door locks on my PA-31-310. I live in the southern part of the United States and I’m afraid my airplane could be stolen and used to haul contraband since it’s a good hauler.
I know that keeping it in my hangar will go a long way toward keeping it secure, but I think adding better locks would be another layer of protection. I’ve heard that as the original door locks get older, they get loose and become quite easy to open. What are your ideas?
—Security Sam
A: Hi Sam,
You’ve heard right about the original door locks. Piper didn’t stock that many different key combinations. In fact, the shop where I used to work had a ring of keys that enabled us to open up almost any airplane.
We weren’t stealing airplanes, but sometimes we would have to help the airport manager get into a transient airplane to turn off an ELT, for example, or we needed to get in because the owner hadn’t left us a set of keys when he dropped off the airplane.
As you point out, the original lock sets don’t get any better with age. To remedy this, some Piper owners have gone to lock shops or hardware stores, bought new lock sets and installed them in place of the original set. This is a relatively inexpensive solution, but these lock sets don’t provide much protection.
The best solution is to install Medeco lock sets. Since Medeco lock sets have both vertical and horizontal tumblers, the design presents challenges that are beyond the skill level of most thieves.
Medeco sets are sold by Aircraft Security. Medeco lock sets for your Navajo are priced at $109 each.
Happy flying.
Q: Hi Steve,
I just bought a 1996 Piper Malibu Mirage. I’ve very impressed with the airplane, but the closest maintenance facility that has experience with a Mirage is on the other side of the state. It’s a big hassle to get it over there and back.
I want to use my local mechanic whom I trust (he did all the maintenance on my other Piper single) but who has no experience working on a Mirage.
Does Piper provide maintenance training for these high performance singles?
—Farm Flyer Fred
A: Hi Fred,
Piper Aircraft doesn’t provide maintenance training for your Malibu Mirage and there is only one place that provides factory endorsed maintenance training on piston-powered Pipers. In 2015, Simcom Training will be conducting two separate five-day maintenance training courses for Piper Malibu, Mirage and Matrix aircraft.
These weeklong courses include 40 hours of instruction and are conducted at the company’s Orlando headquarters. The spring class was held in early February; a summer class starts on Aug. 10, 2015. Cost for the class is $3,870.
Q: Hi Steve,
I own a 1973 Cherokee Cruiser and have a hard starting problem. The starter just doesn’t seem to really spin the prop very fast. My mechanic and I have checked and cleaned the ground connection at the battery, cleaned the battery connections and the battery, and replaced both the battery contactor and the starter contactor, but have only seen very slight improvement.
As we were working with the large battery cables we found lots of corrosion at the terminals so we decided to re-crimp the large terminals on the main battery cables. That’s when we found out that Piper had used aluminum wiring for these original cables.
We suspected these cables were the problem, so I bought and we installed a complete set of nine new copper cables from Bogert Aviation. Although I feel better now that copper cables are installed, that wasn’t the solution, either.
Another guy on the airport also has a Cruiser (his is one year newer than mine) with the same starter—but his works great. He turns the key and the starter spins the engine right over.
We’re sort of lost here. Can you suggest anything that might help?
—Slow Spinner
A: Dear Spinner,
Since you’ve done almost everything else, I think it’s time to look to the starter. The original Bendix-type starter that Lycoming used on your Cherokee Cruiser engine probably needs to be removed, disassembled, cleaned up and lubricated.
But before you do that, I would get some silicone spray lubricant and spray the front end of the shaft and the bushing in the front housing. This bushing and shaft are exposed to rain, dirt and dust which can create a lot of drag on the motor.
I have a similar starter installed on my Comanche that I lubricate in this way at every annual. After spraying the shaft and bushing of the starter with silicone, I cover the front end with a piece of stainless steel tape to keep out contaminants.
If that doesn’t do the trick, you can get rid of your old, heavy (17 pound) Delco starter and replace it with a new lightweight starter such as one from B&C or one from Sky-Tec. You’ll save 8 to 10 pounds.
One of these new starters will run you between $500 and $600, plus shipping and installation. Both the B&C and the Sky-Tec starters are approved for installation on your airplane.
Or you can exchange your starter for an overhauled one from a major aircraft parts supplier such as Aircraft Spruce & Specialty or an accessory overhaul shop such as Quality Aircraft Accessories or Aircraft Accessories of Oklahoma.
One of the benefits of the introduction of lightweight starters is that there are now lots of good used Bendix-style starters for sale at low prices. Like any used part, your mechanic will have to inspect it closely to see if it’s airworthy, but if you’re not in a hurry and willing to risk a few bucks, it’s likely not too much of a gamble.
Happy flying.
Know your FAR/AIM and check with your mechanic before starting any work.
Steve Ells has been an A&P/IA for 43 years and is a commercial pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings. Ells also loves utility and bush-style airplanes and operations. He’s a former tech rep and editor for Cessna Pilots Association and served as associate editor for AOPA Pilot until 2008. Ells is the owner of Ells Aviation (EllsAviation.com) and the proud owner of a 1960 Piper Comanche. He lives in Paso Robles, Calif. with his wife Audrey. Send questions and comments to editor@www.piperflyer.com.
RESOURCES >>>>>
Medeco lock sets
Aircraft Security
aircraftsecurityalert.com
Maintenance training course for
Malibu, Mirage and Matrix aircraft
Simcom Training Centers
simulator.com
Copper battery cables
Bogert Aviation Inc.
bogertaviation.com
New lightweight starters
B&C Specialty Products, Inc.
bandc.biz
Sky-Tec
skytecair.com
Overhauled starters
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co.
aircraftspruce.com
Quality Aircraft Accessories, Inc.
qaa.com
Aircraft Accessories of Oklahoma
aircraftaccessoriesofok.com
