PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-576
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 576
NOVEMBER 2000
If you’re not using a closed circuit
fueling nozzle, put the regular nozzle
in all the way. That keeps the danger
of static down and reduces the chance
for a fuel spill.
Use extra care if you have to take
fuel out of an aircraft. Fuel spilled on
your skin can cause frostbite.
COLD OIL AND GREASE
~
Fuel
is not the only fluid affected by cold
temperatures. As the mercury drops,
oil thickens, fuel’s harder to ignite, and
grease gels. So you must use the right
fuel and lube for cold conditions. The
lube chart in your TM lists the right
fuel, oil and grease to use.
When you service an oil tank on a
stone-cold aircraft, never fill it to the
That “load” will warm up the bat-
tery a bit. Always use an auxiliary
ground power unit (AGPU) on the first
Don’t fill to brim
Oil leaks are a chronic problem in
winter weather. So check connections,
joints and seals regularly.
COLD SEALS
~
Old Man Winter is
hard on seals and gaskets. When they
contract due to the cold, that opens the
door for leaks. Moisture can seep in
around seals and freeze. The ice formed
will cut seals. Make a list of your
aircraft’s seal and gasket potential
brim. Otherwise, when the oil heats
up, the tank will overflow.
40
NOV 00
PS 576
41
how would
you like a taste
of
wind
,
sleet
and
snow
?
you
don't
frighten
me! i'm
pm
tough
!
start of the day. It prevents a lot of
drain on cold batteries.
let
me
help you with
you r
first
start
of the
day!
Store the batteries on a shelf or on
dunnage, not on a bare floor.
Never store these together!
Lead-acid batteries should also be
kept warm. Cold weather saps their
charge much faster than it does a
nickel-cadmium battery. If you bring
your batteries inside, never store nickel-
cadmium and lead-acid in the same
area. Fumes from a lead-acid battery
can cause a nickel-cadmium battery to
discharge.
Lead-
acid
Nickel-
cadmium
trouble spots. Post that list next to these
tips on your bulletin board.
COLD BATTERIES
~
Unless you’re
in the deep freeze for a long time, your
nickel-cadmium batteries will do their
job without much extra effort on
your part. But cold starts will shorten
battery life.
So, when possible, bring your
batteries in from the cold if the
weatherman predicts several days of
subfreezing temperatures. If it’s not
possible, turn on the landing lights,
searchlight
or other equipment for 30
seconds before an engine start.
Remove batteries and store in warm place
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