Annual inspection - frayed cables Cessna 172

A small but important part of an annual inspection is the flight control system, cables, pulleys, fairleads etc. We're seeing a bit more of this as the fleet ages more of this as the fleet ages.

[@ValerieLynn]

Thank you for filming and sharing the frayed cable. I also enjoyed your Annual Inspection checklist along with the tracking you are doing on cable tension.

[@buddybrown4903]

I've found a bunch of frayed cables. Some people over look them. Got to catch them. I like your program

[@lawrencedavidson6195]

Thanks, i enjoyed that. Greetings from sunny Jamaica.

[@framavia2201]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@harmonised8353]

That was great! I hope you can find time to do some other videos on other areas of the aircraft. Really enjoyed that, thanks!!

[@jagboy69]

My mechanic makes me take a rag soaked in corrosionX and wipe all the cables.. If there is a fish hook, you'll find it easily! Rotating pulleys is another tip we do to spread the wear and prevent flat spots on them. Good video and great reminder to watch those old cables. ;-)

[@framavia2201]

Yeah corrosionX sounds like a good idea especially on galvanised cables.

[@jagboy69]

@@framavia2201 We go through that stuff by the gallon. Our Merlin has a nasty tendency to tighten screws in panels as it flys. 1st inspection, we had to drill out over 100 screws. After that, screws get installed dripping wet in corrosionX. No more stuck screws.👍

[@PilotCooking]

That's what is supposed to happen. In my friends case.... That is not what happened.

[@geddon436]

I enjoyed your video. I am considering becoming a airplane mechanic, but I have read that it is hard on your body? Is that true from your experience? I already have two bulging disc in my neck.

[@framavia2201]

You need to be physically fit, but I don't think it's worse than other jobs involving manual work. I have picked up a few minor injuries in the last 30 years, nothing serious though.

[@robertkeaney7047]

Geddon436, After 30 years in a viation maintenance, I can tell you that ,yes, it is hard on the body. I've worked on everything from Pipers, Cessnas, to DC 8's, MD 88, Airbus and Boeing. Knees and shoulders take a beating. Everything out there out weighs you by a good factor. It pays well, but it also can consume your life if you let it. Good luck in your career decision!

[@geddon436]

@@robertkeaney7047 thanks for explaining it. I've already got bulging disc in my neck and arthritis in my shoulder. So thats a no-go for me

[@robertkeaney7047]

Geddon436, wasn't trying to be a Debbie downer, but you should know what to expect over time. At 59 years old, I just don't get up as fast as I used to😣

[@davidoickle1778]

@@robertkeaney7047 try it at 75.

[@youtwosheds]

I was about to do this inspection on my 172, but it seems I don't have all the required tools. Where can I get a blue peter and a fourth bridge?

[@framavia2201]

Haha, you can probably find a Blue peter in the 1970's and a Forth bridge in Scotland. Don't forgot red oil for the flashing beacon, a gallon of prop wash, the long weight, a tub of elbow grease and a box of fresh sparks in case you wanna use the grinder.

[@tombmaster972]

2:15 what is the purpose of those two clamps?

[@jimjackson8892]

Those clamps are there to limit the travel of the elevator trim tab. There’s actually 4 of them, 2 for the up travel and 2 for the down travel. You find the desired travel and tighten the clamp down so they contact each other preventing the pilot from exceeding travel limits. Hope this helps.

[@PilotCooking]

Great friend of mine died in a crash because of a freyed and broken rudder cable.

[@framavia2201]

Thats tragic, it also the kind of thing people need to know, so the we remain diligent at every stage from maintenance to flight, if not, sooner or later, an accident will happen. Thanks for the comment.

[@asgpu414]

My condolences. That's actually why I stopped flight training for my Private Pilot. I kept having fears of structural failures, control cable failures, wing spar breaking. That Embry riddle piper crashed freaked me out.

[@scotabot7826]

@@asgpu414 You and a lot of other people. That's why the only way to go (as far as I'm concerned) is own your own airplane that no one else flies. I wouldn't rent a airplane these days, as their's way too many stupid and selfish people out there that are doing stupid things with airplanes, and you never know when the problem will rear its ugly head. I used to fly a 152 all the time that a guy told me he looped frequently, and that was the last time I flew it.

[@asgpu414]

@@scotabot7826 Absolutely true!

[@plantpower3048]

@@asgpu414 If rudder cable breaks use aileron, if elevator breaks use trim and power....I would buy a safe plane, rugger with low stall speed. like a bearhawk or a superstol