September 2012
Q: Dear Steve,
The steering on my Piper Arrow III (PA-28R-201) seems loose. I have had this particular Piper for seven years and it seems like it’s getting more difficult to keep it tracking on the centerline—especially on paved runways right after I apply power for takeoff. As soon as I get going, it seems like the problem goes away.
I don’t think it’s a big deal but I don’t really know for sure. Can you shine a light on this? Is there a solution that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?
—Wobbly Beginning
A: Dear Wobbly,
As you can see from the parts drawing that accompanies this, Piper nosewheel steering systems consist of a pivoting beam that’s connected to the rudder pedals through one or two (depending on the airplane model) steering rods. There are two lobes on the forward face of the beam (part number 76409-00 and called a “Cam Assembly, Steering” in the Arrow III parts book) that are situated in close proximity to two round rollers—one on each end of a bell crank that is connected to the nose landing gear.
Any movement of the rudder pedals causes one of the lobes of the pivoting beam to contact one of the rollers, transmitting motion to the steering bell crank at the top of the nosegear.
In the beginning, there was very little clearance between the two rollers and the two lobes—they couldn’t touch because that would put a load on the pivoting beam center bushing when the nosegear moved into the down position. In time, due to wear on the lobes because of the effects of dirt and grit or a seized bearing in one or both of the rollers, the gap between the lobes and the rollers widens, allowing the nosegear (and tire) to wander back and forth in the spaces between contact.
Normal maintenance requires that the two rollers be checked to make sure they are both free to rotate and that they are not worn unevenly. If the lobes that are part of the pivoting beam (cam assembly) are worn, they can be repaired by Bruce and Shirley Toftt at S&B Industries in Murray, Utah. Bruce Toftt quoted a price of $100 to $150, depending on the model of the cam assembly.
Once the cam assembly is repaired, your wandering days will be over.
Happy flying.
Q: Dear Steve,
I have seen a lot of advertisements for new landing and taxi lights. I am still using the sealed beam-type incandescent lights that were the original equipment when my Cherokee was built 40 years ago.
I’ve read reports that say the new lights are better but they seem pretty expensive, especially compared to the cost of a replacement incandescent bulb. Are they worth the extra money?
—Light Man
A: Dear Light,
There’s no question the new high-intensity discharge (HID) and light-emitting diode (LED) systems are more expensive; in fact, you could replace 30 GE 4509 sealed beam landing lights for the cost of one HID landing light.
What do you get for the high initial outlay? How about never having to pay someone to replace a landing light?
I know, never is a long time—but one lighting supplier guarantees its system for as long as you own your airplane; another for 5,000 hours.
In addition to the end of landing light replacement costs, the installation of a new age system almost totally guarantees you’ll never again face the grim reality of losing a landing light on short final after popping out of a low overcast on a dark and stormy night.
These issues are important, but the real advantage of any of the HID and LED systems is much more light and a much lower current draw. More light, no failures, and markedly less power consumption begins to make sense when weighed against the high initial cost of a new system.
The current crop of companies that have developed HID landing and taxi lighting include Knots 2U, LoPresti Speed Merchants, Precise Flight and RMD, among others. Each company’s system vary slightly, but all are well engineered and throw a white-hot beam of light. A rough estimate of HID systems shows them delivering six to 10 times more light while consuming 60 percent less power than the tungsten heated-filament sealed bulbs they replace.
Since HID systems require a very high voltage to initiate the startup of the lighting process, a ballast and the bulb comprise the system (and both must be installed at the same time). Check the companies’ websites to ensure your Cherokee is listed.
Teledyne Lighting’s Alphabeam and Whelen Engineering’s Parmetheus are the main players in the LED-type landing and taxi light systems.
LED systems don’t throw as hot a light as HID systems, but are still much more effective than the old sealed beam light you’re presently using. Unit life is claimed to be over 5,000 hours, installation consists of removing and replacing the existing sealed beam bulb, and the heat generated is very low.
Since both the Alphabeam and Parmetheus units are manufactured in accordance with FAA PMA approvals to replace the most common part number sealed beam landing and taxi lights, these can be installed by the aircraft owner under as preventive maintenance.
The question of whether or not to spend the money to install HID and LED landing and taxi light replacements depends on your needs. If you need dependable bright landing and taxi lighting, the value of these lights will be remembered long after the high initial cost has been forgotten.
Happy flying.
Know your FAR/AIM and check with your mechanic before starting any work
Steve Ells has been an A&P/IA for 38 years and is a commercial pilot with Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings. Ells also loves utility and bush-style airplanes and operations. He served as Associate Editor for AOPA Pilot until 2008. Ells is the owner of Ells Aviation and the proud owner of a 1960 Piper Comanche. He lives in Paso Robles, Calif. with his wife Audrey. Send questions or comments to editor@www.piperflyer.com.
RESOURCES >>>>>
Cam Assembly Repair
S&B Industries
801-261-4076
sbind.com
HID and LED Light Suppliers –
Piper Flyer Supporters
Knots 2U
262-763-5100
knots2u.com
RMD Aircraft Lighting
503-628-6056
rmdaircraft.com
Other Lighting Suppliers
AeroLEDs
208-850-3294
aeroleds.com
LoPresti Speed Mods
772-562-4757
speedmods.com
Precise Flight
800-547-2558
preciseflight.com
Royal Atlantic Aviation
321-254-5008
royalatlanticaviation.com
Teledyne Lighting
310-822-8229
teledynelighting.com
Whelen Engineering
860-526-9504
whelen.com
XeVision
800-366-4415
xevision.com
