Websterpilot
Well-Known Member
During a flight today, the Cutlass I was flying presented several issues that made me a bit concerned. Just curious to see if anyone may have experienced anything similar.
First: vibration in the rudder pedals up at cruise. Nothing major, but substantial enough to make me concerned. I've never felt that before. Changing power (different combinations of MP and RPM) and mixture settings made little difference. All engine instruments normal.
Second: Several minutes of +-100 RPM fluctuations (MP remained stable,) but stabilized without further incidence. Seemed to be unrelated to the other issues. Again never seen this before.
Third: Some type of fluid (possibly hydraulic fluid, couldn't tell from color or smell) running down the front of the firewall within the cockpit. Can't imagine how engine oil could get in there, so I'm assuming it's hydraulic oil from the master brake cylinder or lines?
To top it off, this was a return trip from the FSDO after my CFI checkride! So, I'm done with this Cutlass since I passed, but It's been bothering me since I got back on the ground. Let the mechanic know, but he looked at me like I had three heads.
Anyway, any ideas?
First: vibration in the rudder pedals up at cruise. Nothing major, but substantial enough to make me concerned. I've never felt that before. Changing power (different combinations of MP and RPM) and mixture settings made little difference. All engine instruments normal.
Second: Several minutes of +-100 RPM fluctuations (MP remained stable,) but stabilized without further incidence. Seemed to be unrelated to the other issues. Again never seen this before.
Third: Some type of fluid (possibly hydraulic fluid, couldn't tell from color or smell) running down the front of the firewall within the cockpit. Can't imagine how engine oil could get in there, so I'm assuming it's hydraulic oil from the master brake cylinder or lines?
To top it off, this was a return trip from the FSDO after my CFI checkride! So, I'm done with this Cutlass since I passed, but It's been bothering me since I got back on the ground. Let the mechanic know, but he looked at me like I had three heads.
Anyway, any ideas?