OPERATING TIPS Operating Tips General... a Airplane Inspection Periods. Preventive Maintenance. Airplane Alterations More Operating Tips BenesNAVAJO GENERAL For complete maintenance instructions, refer to the PA-31 Service Manual. Every owner should stay in close contact with an authorized Piper Service Center or Piper's Customer Services Department to obtain the latest information pertaining to their airplane, and to avail themselves of Piper's support systems. Piper takes a continuing interest in having the owner get the most efficient use from his airplane and keeping it in the best mechanical condition. Consequently, Piper, from time to time, issues service releases including Service Bulletins, Service Letters, Service Spares Letters, and others relating to the airplane. Service Bulletins are of special importance and Piper considers compliance mandatory. ‘These are sent directly (o the latest FAA-registered owners in the United States (U.S.) and Piper Service Centers worldwide. ‘Depending on the nature of the release, material and labor allowances may apply. This information is provided to all authorized Service Centers, Service Letters deal with product improvements and servicing techniques pertaining to the airplane. They are sent to Piper Service Centers and, if necessary, to the latest FAA-registered owners in the U.S. Owners should give careful attention to Service Letter information. Service Spares Letters offer improved parts, kts, and optional equipment which were not available originally and which may be of interest to the owner. Piper offers a subscription service for Service Bulletins, Service Letters, and Service Spares Letters, This service is available to interested persons, such as owners, pilots, and mechanics at a nominal fee, and may be ‘obtained through an authorized Piper Service Center or Piper's Customer Services Department. Maintenance manuals, parts catalogs, and revisions to both, are available from Piper Service Centers or Piper’s Customer Services Department. Any correspondence regarding the airplane should include the airplane model and serial number to ensure proper response. OPERATING TIPS PAGE I REVISED: Mareh 17, 1997NAVAJO AIRPLANE INSPECTION PERIODS. Piper has developed inspection items and required inspection intervals (i.e.: 50, 100, 500, and 1000 hours) for the specific model aircraft. Appropriate forms are contained in the applicable Piper Service/Maintenance Manual, and should be complied with by a properly trained, knowledgeable, and qualified mechanic at a Piper Authorized Service Center or a reputable repair shop. Piper cannot, accept responsibility for the continued airworthiness of any aircraft not maintained to these standards, and/or not brought into compliance with applicable Service Bulletins issued by Piper, instructions issued by the engine, propeller, or accessory manufacturers, or Airworthiness Directives issued by the FAA. A programmed Inspection, approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is also available to the ‘owner. This involves routine and detailed inspections to allow maximum utilization of the airplane, Maintenance inspection costs are reduced, and the maximum standard of continued airworthiness. is maintained. Complete ‘details are available from Piper. In addition, but in conjunction with the above, the FAA requires periodic inspections on all aircraft to keep the Airworthiness Certificate in effect. The owner is responsible for assuring compliance with these inspection requirements and for maintaining proper documentation in log books and/or maintenance records. A spectographic analysis of the engine oil is available from several sources. This inspection, if performed properly, provides a good check of the intemal condition of the engine. To be accurate, induction air filters must be cleaned or changed regularly, and oil samples must be taken and sent in at regular intervals, PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ‘The holder of a Pilot Certificate issued under FAR Part 61 may perform certain preventive maintenance described in FAR Part 43. This maintenance may be performed only on an aircraft which the pilot owns or ‘operates and which is not used fo carry persons ot property for hire, except as provided in applicable FAR's. Although such maintenance is allowed by law, each individual should make a self-analysis as to whether he has the ability to perform the work, All other maintenance required on the airplane should be accomplished by appropriate personnel If maintenance is accomplished, an entry must be made in the appropriate logbook. The entry should contain: (a) The date the work was accomplished. (b)._ Description of the work. (©) Number of hours on the aircraft. (@) The certificate number of the pilot performing the work. (©) Signature of the individual doing the work. PAGE2 OPERATING TIPS REVISED: March 17, 1997an NAVAJO AIRPLANE ALTERATIONS If the owner desires to have his aircraft modified, he must obtain FAA approval for the alteration. “Major alterations accomplished in accordance with Advisory Circular 43.13-2, when performed by an A & P mechanic, may be approved by the local FAA office. Major alterations to the basic airframe or systems not covered by AC 43.13-2 require a Supplemental Type Certificate, ‘The owner or pilot is required to ascertain that the following Aireraft Papers are in order and in the aircraft. (@) To be displayed in the aircraft at all times: (I) Aircraft Airworthiness Certificate Form FAA-1362B. (2) Aircraft Registration Certificate Form FAA-SO0A. (3) Aireraft Radio Station License Form FCC-404A, if transmitters are installed (b) To be carried im the aircraft at all times: (1) Pilot's Operating Handbook, (2) Weight and Balance data plus a copy of the latest Repair and Alteration Form FAA-337, if applicable. @) Aircraft equipment list. Although the aircraft and engine logbooks are not required to be in the aircraft, they should be made available upon request. Logbooks should be complete and up to date, Good records will reduce ‘maintenance cost by giving the mechanic information about what has or has not been accomplished. OPERATING TIPS PAGE3 REVISED: March 17, 1997NAVAJO ‘The follo 1 PAGE 4 OPERATING TIPS wing Operating Tips are of particular value in the operation of the Navajo. Pilots who fly above 10,000 feet should be aware of the need for special physiological training. Appropriate training is available at approximately twenty-three Air Force Bases throughout the United States for a small fee. The training is free at the NASA Center in Houston and at the FAA ‘Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma. Forms to be completed (Physiological Training Application and Agreement) for application for the training course may be obtained by writing to the following address: Chief of Physiological Training, AAC-143 FAA Aeronautical Center PO. Box 25082 ‘Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125 Its recommended that all pilots who plan to fly above 10,000'feet take this training before flying this high and then take refresher training every two or three years. In case of loss of both alternators reduce electrical load by disconnecting the following equipment, as appropriate to the aircraft: a. Tum off switches for the following: (1). Right pitot heat (2) Cabin heater (3) Heated windshield (4) Autopilot (5) All unnecessary avionic equipment (©) Prop deicing (1) Alternator ficld switches ‘Open following circuit breakers: (2) Right turn indicator (2). Trim indicating system (3) Instrument panel lighting (use flashlight) (4) Map lights (5), Cabin reading lights CAUTION If load shedding procedures have been carried out, the battery will Provide electric power for approximately 35 minutes to complete a landing under IFR conditions including only a single flap extension and use of landing lights for a limited time. The above time depends on the condition of the battery, temperature and how soon load shedding procedure was initiated after alternator failure. OPERATING TIPS REVISED: March 17, 1997NAVAJO 3, The shape of the wing fuel tanks is such that in certain maneuvers the fuel may move away from the tank outlet. If the outlet is uncovered, the fuel flow will be interrupted and a temporary loss of power may result. Pilots can prevent inadvertent uncovering of the outlet by having adequate fuel in the tank selected and avoiding maneuvers which could result in uncovering the outlet. Unbaffled Tanks (Ser. Nos. 31-752 through 31-7300923, 31-7300925, 31-7300927, 31-7300929 and 31-7300931) Normal takeoffs are not to be made with inboard tanks less than one-quarter full. Only the inboard tanks may be used for takeoff. Outboard tanks are for level flight only and may never be used for takeoff. Running turning takeoffs should be avoided as fuel flow interruption may occur when the inboard tanks are less than three-quarters full, Prolonged slips or skids of 30 seconds or more, in any pitch attitude or other unusual or abrupt maneuvers which could cause uncovering of the fuel outlet must be avoided when outboard tanks are being used or when inboard tanks are less than three-quarters full. Intentional slips or skids should be avoided when inboard tanks are less than one-quarter full, Baffled Tanks (Ser. Nos. 31-7300924, 31-7300926, 31-7300928, 31-7300930, 31-7300932 and up) Normal and running turning takeoffs are not to be made when the inboard tanks are less than one-quarter full as fuel flow interruption may occur. Only the inboard tanks may be used for takeoff. Outboard tanks are for level flight only and may never be used for takeoff. Prolonged slips or skids of 30 seconds or more, in any pitch attitude or other unusual or abrupt maneuver which could cause uncovering of the fucl outlet must be avoided when outboard tanks are being used or when inboard tanks are less than one-quarter full. 4, The rudder pedals are suspended from a torque tube which extends across the fuselage. The pilot should become familiar with the proper positioning of his fect on the rudder pedals so as to avoid interference with the torque tube when moving the rudder pedals or operating the toe brakes. 5. In an effort to avoid accidents, pilots should obtain and study the safety related information made available in FAA publications such as regulations, advisory circulars, Aviation News, AIM, and safety aids. 6. 15° of flaps may be lowered at airspeeds up to 175 MPH, but to reduce flap operating loads, it is desirable to have the airplane at a lower speed before extending the flaps. 7. To reduce flap operating loads, itis desirable to have the airplane at a speed slower than the maximum allowable before extending the flaps. The flaps should be extended or retracted in small increments to guard against the possibility of encountering an asymmetric (“split”) flap condition (refer to Section 2, Description of Flight Control System). 8. Experience has shown that the training advantage gained by pulling a mixture control or turning off the fuel to simulate engine failure at low altitude is not worth the risk assumed. Therefore, it is recommended that instead of using either of these procedures to simulate loss of power at low altitude, the throttle be retarded slowly to idle position. Fast reduction of power may be harmful to the engine. OPERATING TIPS : PAGE 5 REVISED: March 17, 1997