Time for a 25 hour inspection and oil change on the RV:
Cold oil doesn’t flow so well out of the sump, what better way to warm it up than to go flying…
Initially there was quite a low cloudbase as we headed out towards Montrose:
But then there was a big gap and we powered up into the blue:
Centre of this pic is a contrail way off over the North Sea…
…which the SkyEcho unit identified as Lufthansa 452, Munich to Los Angeles.
Off the wingtip is the old WW2 airfield of Kinnell, which is probably what RAF personnel said when they heard that they were posted there!
Montrose harbour and the basin looking nice in the sunlight now that the clouds were clearing a bit…
After 1.3 flying hours, the oil should be warmed up enough. Back to base…into the hangar, cowlings off and drain the oil. Despite the quick-drain plug making it easy, I still managed to spill some on the floor.
A few bits of cardboard and a chocolate tin “drip tray” and all is well.
As well as the oil change, the 25 hour inspection is just a general look around for leaks, cracks, broken wires etc. All hinges get lubricated and the tyre pressures adjusted where necessary. The yellow tape on the wing root screw line is replaced, and the aircraft gets a bit of a wipe down…WD40 and a rag for any oil stains, and baby wipes for crusted on insects on the prop and leading edges. It’s just an interim look around between the annual inspections.
All was good and in the guise of a leak check, it was time to fly again. The aircraft is good-to-go for another 25 hours. Just as well, as the Cub is in with the engineers for its annual, and will be out of action for a couple of weeks. Sometimes it’s a pain running more than one aircraft, and sometimes it’s an advantage…