Originally published at: Walking Away From Pistons - AVweb
With top shops turning pistons away, plus skyrocketing costs and parts shortages, the decision to step up to turbine power is becoming easier.
Hey Sy,
The engine in the photo is actually a TSIO520-BB. The “B” engine is obsolete. Notice the humps at the center of the case?
The FAA must address the AMT shortage and develop alternatives to the current A&P licensing that also raises the bar on AMT proficiency. A ratings system that breaks the A&P down even further into components such as Wheels and Brakes, Aircraft Covering, Accessory removal and installation, etc. that could be obtained in short courses and supplemented with FAA produced videos ( similar to the From the Flight Deck, perhaps call them From the Hangar) that prepare applicants prior to the course would expand the AMT pool. Without something, we will see the lights go out on GA as we know it in a generation.
If you expect to drop the acft/keys off for your maint and stroke a check after, then you better be able to afford the Cirrus, diesel or turbine route.
If you don’t have that budget, learn how to work on your acft to limits allowed (certificated or experimental owner/repairman/builder)…and get your hands dirty either doing the work or assisting your mechanic. Experimental is the healthy present and future of budget GA.
Champaign dreams and beer budgets yield same in GA as everywhere else.
That’s champagne btw
thx for the spell check, will come in handy for my next beer.
Yes, I too still have fond memories of Miller High Life from a long, long time ago…
I do recall when half a century ago my employer said “don’t worry about prop controls, they’re a thing of the past”. Fast forward to today when every enviro group wants to shut down most anything that moves but EV’s and what you have with piston engines will probably be your best, long term choice (with decent maintenance). Fuel burn is a significant political/environmental factor and isn’t going away anytime soon. Enjoy and care for what you have. 200 years from now this era will be in the history books (that’s assuming anyone still can read). Just wait until lawmakers tax the engine potential and fuel burns. These folks are looking over everyone’s shoulders. Just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get us.