Maintenance & care
My intent with this page will be to first recap the factory specified procedures providing any tips I can from actually performing them. I’ll start with how they are referenced in the documentation, and then add any practical tips or techniques I think owners might find useful.
Maintenance though is actually a broader area than just what is covered in the manuals. My intent in on this page will be to recap the standard maintenance procedures providing any tips I can from actually performing them on my SE-1, and then adding other care items that any owner should consider.
Check the page index to the right, I expect I will continue adding to it over time.
On this page:
Maintenance:
Care:
Maintenance
Documentation — As an SLSA aircraft the ASTM standards require Spirit to provide certain aircraft documents including a Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) and an Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM). Spirit indeed has these essential documents, and a few others, available to owners via their Owner’s Support Portal.
Any discussion about maintenance therefore needs to begin with these manuals. I’ve reviewed these documents already and find them to be quite good. Of course this airplane is very simple, which is intentional and by design, which makes maintenance that much easier.
Oil & Oil filter change — What’s the best way to drain the oil without making a huge mess? Exactly how does one remove that oil filter container to access the cartridge? What’s the best way to inspect the filter? Is oil analysis advisable?
Air filter service — The SE-1 uses a washable oil coated foam filter just like many motorcycles, Let’s figure out the best methods of cleaning and re-oiling it.
Tires: Best Practices — How long should they last? Should they be rotated? What tire pressure works best for the SE-1? Are there any alternative tires that might be preferrable? I’ll document everything I learn here.
Care
Cleaning Best Practices — Is the exterior of the plane best washed with soap & water or a wipe-down with some sort of solvent? This is a more complex topic than it might seem.
Alclad aluminum care — This is a biggie, how do we keep our planes shiny and corrosion-free? There’s the traditional, and very labor intensive, practice of buffing it with a high-speed rotary buffer and abrasive compound, but are there any newer higher-tech solutions that could work?