TARA Resources

The Technical Corner Index

(as of September 2011)

Articles by Bob Lock
Some Ideas on Troubleshooting March 2001
Introduction to the Technical Corner June 2001
Pre-cover Inspection Sepember 2001
Inspection CheckList December 2001
Aging Aircraft Issues June 2002
Repairs, Alterations, Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance September 2002
Adhesives & Bonding December 2002
More on Bonding- Epoxy Adhesives March 2003
My Thoughts on Radial Engines June 2003
Breaking in the Engine September 2003
Materials &Processes December 2003
More Material & Processes March 2004
Fuel & Oil Systems June 2004
Continental 220 Rear Main Bearing Failure September 2004
Instrument Systems December 2004
My Thoughts on Propeller Care March 2005
My Thoughts on Propeller Care Part 2 July 2005
More on Continental W-670 Main Bearing Failures October 2005
Engine Installations December 2005/January 2006
Engine Installations Part 2 April 2006
Elementary Assembly & Rigging Part 1 June 2006
Elementary Assembly & Rigging Part 2 September/December 2006
Elementary Weight & Balance March 2007
Elementary Theory of Flight June 2007
Test Flights Sempember 2007
Take-Offs & Landings December 2007
Bendix 30 x 5 Wheels March 2008
Structual Alignment Sept 2008
Hydraulic Lock in Single Row Radial Engines Dec 2008
Continued Airworthiness The Wright R760 Radial Engine, Critical Inspection June 2009
Preventive Maintenance Part 1 Sept 2009
Preventive Maintenance Part 2 Dec 2009
Continued Airworthiness, Part 1, Structural Aluminum June 2010
Continued Airworthiness, Part 2, Non-Structural Aluminum Sept 2010
Continued Airworthiness, Part 3, Steel Structures  Dec 2010
Continued Airworthiness, Part 4, Wood & Fabric Structures March 2011
Specialty Inspections, Part 1 June 2011

Travel Air Drawings and Technical Documents

Contact:

Phil Wyels
12522 Christy Lane
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
562-596-8153
310-784-1881
Travel Air DER

Phil Wyels has received an appointment as FAA Consultant Designated Engineering Representative (DER) from the Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) limited to Travel Air model aircraft. Delegated functions are within the technical areas of structural, power plant installations, mechanical and electrical systems and equipment, piston engines, and major repairs and alterations.

Phil will be happy assist any Travel Air owner or restorer in the certification process for their aircraft.

He can be reached at 562-881-6711 (8AM to 6PM Pacific Time) or by

Travel Air Books
  • Travel Air Wings Over The Prairie, by Edward Phillips, Flying Books, Eagen, MN 55122, 1982. Excellent company history with details of events and people with many factory photos.
  • U.S. Civil Aircraft, by Joseph P.Juptner, Volumes 1, 2, 3 & 9. Aero Publishers,Fallbrook, CA 92028. Details all Travel Air models covered by full Approved Type Certificate or Memo Approval.
  • American Aviation Historical Society Journal, Volume 33, Numbers 1, 2 & 3 (1988), "The Travel Air Biplanes, 1925-1930," by Peter M. Bowers. Detail Travel Air model variations and markings with many great photos.
  • The Antiquer, Antique Airplane Association, Blakesburg, IA, December 1965 & January 1966, "Topic: Travel Air," Part I & II, by Ernie Webb, Charlotte, NC. Excellent overview of Travel air history and construction details with much information based on interviews with Lloyd Stearman.
  • Travel Air a Photo History, by Bruce Bissonette, Aviation Heritage, PO Box 665, Destin, FL 32540. 1996. Excellent Travel Air history and factory photos.
  • Mystery Ship!, A History of the Travel Air Type R Monoplanes, by Edward H. Phillips. Flying Books International, 211 Alpha Lane, Fleming Field, South St. Paul, MN 55075. 1999. Great history and photos of Travel Air's famous racing aircraft, the Model R.
  • Aircraft Listing & Aircraft Engine & Propeller Listing, Volume VI. Type certificate data sheets and specifications, Department of Transportation, FAA. Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, Stock No. 050-007-00360-9.