Hi, I'm a gasser newbie - been flying my first one for about 2 weeks. It's been great! Great sound, cheap fuel and a full tank gives over 30 mins of aerobatic flight with lots of long uplines thrown in. As I generally do, I did a full strip down and inspection after about my 20th flight today.

I was surprised to find that 2 of my engine mounting bolts had worked a little loose! This was despite copious amounts of locktite. Anyhow, I ran out to the shop and got nylon lock nuts AND spring washers to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I notice that the extra vibration from the gas engine does play merry hell with the air frame and fittings - after my 10th flight, one of the anti-rotation pins from a wing panel came out and had to be epoxied back in.

What I would like to know is:-

#1 What sort of inspection/maintenance schedules should I be looking at for a gasser? and

#2 What are the special problem areas to be looking especially hard at?

I know that flying a big gasser brings an added responsibility of not damaging anyone or anything, and I would like to fly safe!

Thanks!

Mostly balancing the prop, properly securing the muffler, and checking the glue joints of a new kit. There really isn't much more to the maintenance of a gassr than that. Checking bolts, electronics, connecting hardware, and propeller security is somethng that should be done on all planes so I did not include that in the gasser specific list.

Thanks silversurfer, was just wondering if there was anything in particular to look out for on account of the added vibes.

On the loose engine mounts.....I just had that happen to me on my 3w80.....Pay particular attention to the spinner and muffler each flight. If you see that the spinner has a slight wobble to it, or the muffler seems to be shaking a bit more than normal, there's your tip off that something is loose...Also it doesn't hurt to grab the engine (cold) and give it a good twist now and then...

Definitely; Grab the prop and pull the engine around to check for loose bolts the first few flights. the blind nuts will stretch and seat to the firewall during the first flights. Servo screws will vibrate out. Hinges will come loose, prop needs to be re-tightened etc. Learn to check every thing. Or you will learn to check everything.

other thing is with the empty fuel tank at the end of the flight day, satrt the engine until stops by lack of fuel, in this way the carb remain without fuel, it is better for this carburetors. Good luck

Yeh those things happen.
Those vibrations wreak havoc.

I noticed a pin pulled its glue joint off one wing panel last flight.

Its helpful when you clean up for the day to take some gasoline and clean off any oil and dead bugs on your plane. That practice is useful because it allows you to visually inspect most of the plane up and down and catch any external issues. You usually see internal issues when you hook up unhook the plane.