A-65 Mag Drop

[Stearmann4]

Cubbers,

Among a couple of other "ankle biters" I decided to address this annual, was my lack of visual drop on the tach during mag checks.

I've got the original tach (overhauled), but like so many other old airplanes I've flown, the needle just kinda meanders back and forth between numbers and takes a second or two to settle down. The only indication of an RPM drop is the slightest audio sound when I move the mag switch, and you have to know what you're listening for to hear that much. I've tried everything from 1,400 - 1,700 RPM for the check depending on which reference I use. Is this normal for an A-65? The Slick mags only have a couple hundred hours on them.

I thought maybe I was just being paranoid, but if an everyday C-150 trained guy got in my plane, he'd taxi back to the hangar with a claimed P-lead problem. My A-65 always starts easily on the first pull, so it gnaws on me a little to think it might be sitting static in the hangar, only a kid's pull away from starting.

Thanks,

Mike-

 

[Richgj3]

 

[bob turner]

 

[backcast]

 

[bob turner]