What is this?

TomM · #1 03-16-20, 05:54 PM

I need to tap the knowledge base here......had the chance to see the plane in person for the first time this weekend. I LOVE it!! Should have bought one of these years ago......

Ok, on to the business at hand. I have a previous Skymaster owner who is a CFI training me in the plane. This week we went over the preflight stuff and systems check/familiarity work. While going over the plane we came across this "thing" sticking out of the wing. His 1967 did not have this, and he was not sure what it was. We were thinking something to do with ice detection, but not sure. If you move it with the master switch on, I can not see or hear any device, light or buzzer this thing might control.

Please check out the picture and let me know what this thing is please. Thanks a ton!!

GAdams · #2 03-16-20, 06:27 PM

It triggers the hour meter.

kbecker · #3 03-16-20, 09:44 PM

GAdams is correct. I have one of these on my 337

TomM · #4 03-17-20, 09:49 AM

Thanks much!

Make you think though...........if the plane was used exclusively for 1 hour hops for 1000 hours the Hobbs would say 1000........but the engines would actually have 1500 or so hours run time.......

You guys are the best, thanks!

MD83driver · #5 03-17-20, 07:56 PM

Here is an article from AOPA regarding flight time:

https://www.aopa.org/training-and-sa...intenance-tips

It really depends if your paying for your flight time or the one charging for the flight time.

JAG · #6 03-18-20, 12:29 PM

Tom,
MD83Driver posted a great link. The airspeed switch on your '67 is pure genius, as it is meant to actuate at an airspeed right around take off, giving you the most accurate tach time to correctly log all your air time for airframe and engines. However, it looks like yours might be modified a little and may actuate in a strong breeze, if not cause some drag! I have attached a picture of what one looks like - the actuator paddle should trail, and when it actuates, it rests up against that little button on the lower wing skin.
Jeff

TomM · #7 03-18-20, 05:25 PM

Thanks Jeff! I will pay attention to it this weekend and see when it activates. It looks pretty original, but is obviously different than the image you sent. I cant find any comments in the log book, but that doesn't surprise me at all.

I totally understand the benefits of clocking only the flying time. Heck I need to remember to shut off the Foreflight log timer because it keeps on ticking even after the plane has stopped rolling......... But it doesn't start until you are on the takeoff roll so they got that right. Of course I may be missing some sort of setting to fix that too.