Lee wrote:I have a very slight leak (one drop every 5-10 min) when flying above 6,500' in an Airpath compass. Anyone ever used the repair kit sold by Aircraft Spruce? What is compass fluid? It is listed as hax mat with a haz mat charge. I wondered if I could buy the fluid locally (Memphis). Thanks, R/Lee Well.I would take a quart glass jar to the local FBO and ask for a little solvent out of the 55 Gal drum. The jar opening should be big enough to fit the compass in to submerge it. BTW, you do realize this is not an approved repair in the eyes of the FAA. Jim Posts: 12 Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 10:54 pm Location: washington. A) I did not realize/*forgot that this would not constitute an approved repair. ![]() B) The airplane is such, and my career at FedEx is such that I do not want to jeopardize either. Having said that. B) One would then surmize that there are but two solutions.:-> 1. Take the compass to an instrument repair shop (ouch) 2. Buy a new compass and have the installation appropriately signed off. Oh, well!:-> Thanks guys. I do want to keep things legal. This is but one reason why I like this organization! R/Lee * Long week. My mother passed away rather suddenly here in Memphis on the 23rd; we held the funeral in Palatka, FL on the 27th. Got back to Memphis yesterday. Posts: 143 Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:26 pm Location: Memphis, TN. Lee My condolences on the lose of your mother. The repair kits are pretty straight forward. J airpath compass overhaul manual & M Aircraft JMCRK Compass Repair Kit – No Fluid Provided Mechanic's Toolbox Manual Library. [RAR] Compass overhaul manual airpath Softonic virtual compass museum - aeronautical compasses. They are just new gaskets basically. I've heard all sorts of things being used for fluid but I wouldn't use any thing other than the right stuff unless someone could give me better proof of what can be used. While I know this isn't legal I know many mechanics that replace the gaskets and fluid. Or at least they have the fluid in stock for some reason. Not a month ago while admiring the simplicity of my Cub panel a local FAA safety inspector noticed the mag compass only 3/4 full of fluid. He turned to my IA and said 'you really should give your friend some compass fluid some time' then smiled. I certainly understand your position as I fly for a living as well. Now lets see if your plane goes into the hanger with a good compass and the doors are closed. Then when the doors open and the plane emerges with, surprise, good compass. Did anything happen in the hanger? Oh this was a buddies plane you talking about that may need fluid. Lots of compasses have been repaired with the repair kit that is sold via Spruce, Univair, Chief, WagAero, and others. I've done it and it works just fine, if the directions are followed. (Hardest thing is just making certain the compass is completely submerged to get rid of all the bubbles.) This used to be a common repair performed by mechanics in the course of regular maintenance. The FAA got involved when some CRS (Certified Repair Stations) were found to be doing it without proper instrument certification or repair/overhaul manuals. The reaction has generally been downright silly over it, in my opinion. In most cases it's a simple gasket and fluid replacement that involves no other modification/repair of the unit. If care is used, no danger to the mechanism/operation exists. (And since that's the case, then why do the FAA condem this simple repair. But allow any mechanic, even an owner, to adjust/calibrate his compass at the airport compass rose?) Kerosene has been used for many years, but it will eventually 'yellow' the compass numerals. Compass fluid is a clear safety-solvent, and I'm surprised they're claiming it's hazmat. It's safety due to flashpoint is one of it's features. This situation reminds of the the local game warden, whom I'd queried regarding whether or not it was legal to hunt a turkey on my own ranch for the table, without a permit/license, similar to certain laws regarding fishing on private ponds.
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