How much for that unleaded?
Since Aviation Consumer has covered no-lead aviation piston fuels, I was surprised at what I saw recently. I stopped at Sebring, Florida (KSEF), the first airport I have seen offering self-service Swift Fuel UL94 unleaded gas. I can’t use UL94 in my Continental IO-550,of course, but I was surprised at the price: $8.10 per gallon! Is this the going price? At that price, I can’t see a lot of owners getting UL94; MOGAS might be a better alternative.
—Luca Bencini, via email
We did a couple of quick searches in various parts of the country and found UL94 priced between $6.99 and $7.99, but most if not all were for a full-service fueling.
Starlink for the cabin
Thank you for the in-depth field report on the Starlink Wi-Fi system for GA use. I agree with your assessment that it’s finally the affordable and reliable solution we’ve been waiting for. A Starlink for my boat is an easy one, but are there any permanent installation kits for my airplane? We have a Navajo that’s occasionally used for Part 135 charter ops and my pilot is saying it’s unapproved because the Starlink isn’t on the aircraft’s approved equipment list. This doesn’t make sense to me.
—Phil Levitt, via email
It doesn’t really make sense to us, either, because the unit is designed to be a portable device. Yes, it needs external power, but as we explained in the article you can get that from a portable power supply. Keep it stowed for takeoff and landing if it’s kept in a location where it can become a projectile, but other than that, we’d use it.
Ask a tech
My Cessna Skyhawk has a problem where it leaks large amounts fuel out of the fuel tank vent even when it’s on the most level surface. When the fuel cap is off, it pours out. My mechanic is at a loss.
—Mitch Williams, via email
Your mechanic should be familiar with the Cessna’s vent line check valve. This flapper valve allows venting air to escape but prevents fuel from slugging through the line and draining out the vent. While very full tanks warmed in a heated hangar will cause expanding fuel to push through the check valve, siphoning of fuel is a different matter altogether.
Replace or repair the check valve (located in the left tank at the vent attach point) per the aircraft maintenance manual. It would be advisable to also check the fuel caps for proper vent operation and seal. We think McFarlane’s newer design is worth considering.
The mid-time Continental O-200 engine in my Cessna 150 has started to act strangely. Power seems a bit down, and upon shutdown the prop stops dead—no rocking. If I push in on the prop hub I can sometimes free up the prop so it turns freely. I called a respected show where I live in Florida, and they advised that I should not fly the plane, and that the bearings were shifting, causing binding. What do you think?
—Name withheld
We think you should take the shop’s advice. A binding prop at shutdown could indicate bearing shift. That means the bearings could shift to the point of spinning or blocking an oil hole and starving the bearing, causing it to seize and the engine to possibly stop dead—the last thing you want to happen when in the air.