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If a mobile detail operation is cleaning your King Air, you must make absolutely certain they do not use a pressure washer on the gear. This is easier said than done. It’s the dirtiest area and they think they won’t get your continued business unless they make your aircraft look ready for the showroom floor. If you can’t be there to supervise their work, consider getting it in writing: “No pressure washing the landing gear.”
Lubrication Schedules
The maintenance manual has very specific directions on what to lube and when. There are lists of things to be lubed every 200 hours, every 400 hours, also every 600, 800 and 1,200 hours. I’m not going to regurgitate the maintenance manual here, but there are a lot of moving parts that need to be greased regularly.
Here’s a short list:
= Flaps – flap tracks, flap actuators and flap gear box
= Ailerons – trim tab hinge and aileron quadrant
= Cable seal – elevator, rudder and aileron
= Rudder pedal attach points
= Down lock hooks
The lube item checklists are thorough and sometimes repetitive. But again, you can’t over-lubricate something. These checklists are a vital part of your King Air maintenance.
Lubrication may seem boringly basic, but it’s absolutely essential in the maintenance and preservation of your King Air. I ran a version of this article 10 years ago in this magazine. At the time, I wondered if it was too simple of a subject since lubrication is so elementary. On the other hand, lubrication is so consequential to the proper function of any airplane, it makes me think I should mention it in every issue.
Anyone that has ever worked with me knew not to skimp on any lube item. If my customers didn’t hassle me after inspections about red grease splatter, then I didn’t do my job. Your job (and you should choose to accept it) is to kick the pressure washer and the degreaser to the curb and adopt a new slogan: Grease is Good! KA
Dean Benedict is a certified A&P, AI with 50 years’ experience in King Air maintenance. He was an inaugural inductee to the King Air Hall of Fame. He owned and ran Honest Air Inc., a “Beechcraft maintenance boutique” with a strong following of King Airs, for 15 years. Currently, with BeechMedic LLC, Dean and his wife, Lisa, consult with owners, pilots and mechanics on King Air maintenance issues, troubleshooting and pre-buys. Dean also provides expert witness work on request. He can be reached at 702-524-4378 or via email at dr.dean@beechmedic. com.
Factory Direct Models
JUNE 2024
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 23