Altimeter repair

[Pete Masterson]

I think my dad had a Lincoln or Packard that had an altimeter in it,
a bazillion years ago (in the 50s). It had no practical value as far
as I could tell.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at CCW in Riverside, CA



On Jun 5, 2008, at 5:28 PM, erniecarpet@... wrote:

> Leroy, I believe that when Bluebird was first to make the finest
> coach possible- way back when, they included that, just because
> nobody else did. Am I right or wrong??
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Livingston, Montana
>
>

[Richard Gideon]

Leroy: And needless to say, a 'type' rating is required for our BBs
since we all exceed the 12,500# FAR mandate. Guess I've been quite
lucky...never been ramp checked. -

Dick Gideon
Freedom Bird
1989 35FC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Leroy Eckert
wrote:
>
> Yes sir. All of that is correct with some added info. The vertical
separation is different and you must be instrument rated with
supplemental oxygen above 18,000'. lol Unless things have changed.
Birds are not pressurized.
>
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
> Royale Conversion
>
> Richard Gideon wrote:
Bob and all: The url below explains the altimeter and Kollsman window
> adjustment for reading elevation above sea level. May come in
handy
> when baking in the BB at higher altitudes.
>
> http://flighttraining.aopa.org/ft_magazi...eather.cfm
>
> PS Please remember to set your altimeter to 29.92 when cruising
above
> 18,000 feet...that the law!!! -
>
> Dick Gideon
> Freedom Bird
> 1989 35FC
> Rolla, MO
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Lawrence"
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Dave and Pete.
> > Local bar. pressure is 29.9...doesn't help.
> > Dave, my GPS is a Cobra..it doesn't have an altitude. Wish it
did.
> > Went to the local airport today (small here in Branson). Asked a
> > local charter carrier where they got theirs done. Said they send
it
> > to Kansas City. They asked what aircraft it was in and I told
them
> a
> > Bluebird. They asked "Was that a Ultralight and how many
engines?"
> > Told them one engine and it used diesel. You should have seen
the
> > look on their faces..LOL..LOL it was GREAT!!
> > I will keep looking.
> > Bob Lawrence
> > 84 PT36
> > Branson, Mo. with nonworking altimeter....
> > >
> > > cross check the altitude with your GPS, set the altimeter to
> > match,
> > > then see how it goes. As indicated, barometric pressure can
> cause
> > > considerable variation. Indeed, since my coach just has a big
> > empty
> > > spot marked "altimeter" I just look at the GPS when I'm
curious
> > about
> > > the altitude. It's usually pretty accurate.
> > >
> > > I note that when flying out of small airfields (that didn't
have
> > > accurate barometric reports) that we'd set the altimeter to
the
> > local
> > > posted field altitude.
> > >
> > > Pete Masterson
> > > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> > > El Sobrante CA
> > > aeonix1@
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Jun 4, 2008, at 5:42 PM, Dave Erickson wrote:
> > >
> > > > Bob,
> > > >
> > > > Don't forget to check the altimeter setting. Should be
local
> > > > barometric
> > > > pressure if I remember right.
> > > >
> > > > Can also set the altimeter to show a known altitude and
cross
> > check
> > > > to local
> > > > barometer.
> > > >
> > > > Dave
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Bob:
> > > >
> > > > I had one done at an instrument shop at Boeing Field for
$70.00.
> > > > They cleaned it and check it's calibration. They didn't
> certify
> > it
> > > > for flying by I don't expect my Bird to get too far off the
> > ground.
> > > > They said it was within 10 to 15 feet at all altitudes up to
> > 12,000.
> > > >
> > > > You might want to talk to a local instrument shop.
> > > >
> > > > Marv
> > > > 2004 M380
> > > > Ocean Shores, WA
> > > >
> > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Lawrence"
> > > > wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >> Hi group,
> > > >>
> > > >> Pulled out the altimeter as not very accurate. Would have
> hated
> > to
> > > > have
> > > >> flown with this unit as it's 800 feet low.
> > > >>
> > > >> I know I could send it to an FAA licensed repair for bigger
> > bucks,
> > > > but
> > > >> was wondering if anybody has sent theirs somewhere that was
> > > > reasonable.
> > > >>
> > > >> Bob Lawrence
> > > >> 84 PT36
> > > >> Workcamping in Branson, Mo.
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ------------------------------------
> > > >
> > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

[Richard Gideon]

Pete: I'm told, at night, supplemental oxygen greatly improves the
vision...some pilots use supp Oxygen when as low as 5,000 MSL. This
would be especially beneficial for cigarette smokers...a smoker is
more likely to become hypoxic at a much lower altitude. I've read
that smoking pilots have a 'cabin altitude' of 7 or 8,000 when at sea
level.

Dick Gideon
Freedom Bird
1989 35FC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
wrote:
>
> A Blue Bird has an altimeter so you can fix it when it breaks.
>
> FAA rules require supplemental oxygen if you're above 10,000 ft
for
> more than 30 minutes in an unpressurized craft.
>
> I coulda used some supplemental oxygen in a few Colorado towns
I've
> been in...
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> aeonix1@...
> On the road at
>
>
>
> On Jun 5, 2008, at 5:07 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:
>
> > This may be a weird question but I am weird. My bird does not
have
> > an altimeter.
> > I have often wondered why an altimeter is required in a bird. I
am
> > 65 pressing on and the air is quite thin at 10,000. Is that it?
> > Can't breathe? There is no provision to manually lean the fuel
> > mixture.
>

[Leroy Eckert]

That's right, me too. Telluride in the pickup.
Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA

Pete Masterson wrote:

A Blue Bird has an altimeter so you can fix it when it breaks.

FAA rules require supplemental oxygen if you're above 10,000 ft for
more than 30 minutes in an unpressurized craft.

I coulda used some supplemental oxygen in a few Colorado towns I've
been in...

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
"aeonix1%40mac.com"
On the road at

On Jun 5, 2008, at 5:07 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:

> This may be a weird question but I am weird. My bird does not have
> an altimeter.
> I have often wondered why an altimeter is required in a bird. I am
> 65 pressing on and the air is quite thin at 10,000. Is that it?
> Can't breathe? There is no provision to manually lean the fuel
> mixture.

[Leroy Eckert]

For sure Dick.
In all my years of private flying I was ramped checked once. Grand Canyon airport for flying band members down into the Canyon long before it was illegal. Something one cannot experience today. What a fabulous ride.

Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA

Richard Gideon wrote:

Leroy: And needless to say, a 'type' rating is required for our BBs
since we all exceed the 12,500# FAR mandate. Guess I've been quite
lucky...never been ramp checked. -

Dick
Gideon
Freedom Bird
1989 35FC

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Leroy Eckert
...> wrote:
>
> Yes sir. All of that is correct with some added info. The vertical
separation is different and you must be instrument rated with
supplemental oxygen above 18,000'. lol Unless things have changed.
Birds are not pressurized.
>
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
> Royale Conversion
>
> Richard Gideon .> wrote:
Bob and all: The url below explains the altimeter and Kollsman window
> adjustment for reading elevation above sea level. May come in
handy
> when baking in the BB at higher altitudes.
>
> http://flighttraining.aopa.org/ft_magazine/special/0903_weather.cfm
>
> PS Please remember to set your altimeter to 29.92 when cruising
above
> 18,000 feet...that the law!!! -
>
> Dick Gideon
> Freedom Bird
> 1989 35FC
> Rolla, MO
>
> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Bob Lawrence"
> > wrote:
> >
> > Hi Dave and Pete.
> > Local bar. pressure is 29.9...doesn't help.
> > Dave, my GPS is a Cobra..it doesn't have an altitude. Wish it
did.
> > Went to the local airport today (small here in Branson). Asked a
> > local charter carrier where they got theirs done. Said they send
it
> > to Kansas
City. They asked what aircraft it was in and I told
them
> a
> > Bluebird. They asked "Was that a Ultralight and how many
engines?"
> > Told them one engine and it used diesel. You should have seen
the
> > look on their faces..LOL..LOL it was GREAT!!
> > I will keep looking.
> > Bob Lawrence
> > 84 PT36
> > Branson, Mo. with nonworking altimeter....
> > >
> > > cross check the altitude with your GPS, set the altimeter to
> > match,
> > > then see how it goes. As indicated, barometric pressure can
> cause
> > > considerable variation. Indeed, since my coach just has a big
> > empty
> > > spot marked "altimeter" I just look at the GPS when I'm
curious
> > about
> > > the altitude. It's usually pretty accurate.
> > >
> > > I note that when flying out of small airfields (that didn't
have
> > > accurate barometric reports) that we'd set the altimeter to
the
> > local
> > > posted field altitude.
> > >
> > > Pete Masterson
> > > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> > > El Sobrante CA
> > > aeonix1@
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Jun 4, 2008, at 5:42 PM, Dave Erickson wrote:
> > >
> > > > Bob,
> > > >
> > > > Don't forget to check the altimeter setting. Should be
local
> > > > barometric
> > > > pressure if I remember right.
> > > >
> > > > Can also set the altimeter to show a known altitude and
cross
> > check
> > >
> to local
> > > > barometer.
> > > >
> > > > Dave
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Bob:
> > > >
> > > > I had one done at an instrument shop at Boeing Field for
$70.00.
> > > > They cleaned it and check it's calibration. They didn't
> certify
> > it
> > > > for flying by I don't expect my Bird to get too far off the
> > ground.
> > > > They said it was within 10 to 15 feet at all altitudes up to
> > 12,000.
> > > >
> > > > You might want to talk to a local instrument shop.
> > > >
> > > > Marv
> > > > 2004 M380
> > > > Ocean Shores, WA
> > > >
> > > > --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Bob Lawrence"
> > > > > wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >> Hi group,
> > > >>
> > > >> Pulled out the altimeter as not very accurate. Would have
> hated
> > to
> > > > have
> > > >> flown with this unit as it's 800 feet low.
> > > >>
> > > >> I know I could send it to an FAA licensed repair for bigger
> > bucks,
> > > > but
> > > >> was wondering if anybody has sent theirs somewhere that was
> > > > reasonable.
> > > >>
> > > >> Bob Lawrence
> > > >> 84 PT36
> > > >> Workcamping in Branson, Mo.
> > > >>

> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ------------------------------------
> > > >
> > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

[Hisham Amaral]

Leroy

We all need our altimeters check on our planes, however our BB are just as important as the planes we fly. The typical cost to repair an altimeter is about $50-$75 at our local instrument shop in Pontiac Michigan airport.

Good luck in getting your instrument repaired, and don't forget to get your pitot static and Transponderdone to be totally legal.

Hisham Amaral

W. Bloomfield, MI

97WB

Richard Gideon wrote:

Leroy: And needless to say, a 'type' rating is required for our BBs
since we all exceed the 12,500# FAR mandate. Guess I've been quite
lucky...never been ramp checked. -

Dick Gideon
Freedom Bird
1989 35FC

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Leroy Eckert
...> wrote:
>
> Yes sir. All of that is correct with some added info. The vertical
separation is different and you must be instrument rated with
supplemental oxygen above 18,000'. lol Unless things have changed.
Birds are not pressurized.
>
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
> Royale Conversion
>
> Richard Gideon .> wrote:
Bob and all: The url below explains the altimeter and Kollsman window
> adjustment
for reading elevation above sea level. May come in
handy
> when baking in the BB at higher altitudes.
>
> http://flighttraining.aopa.org/ft_magazine/special/0903_weather.cfm
>
> PS Please remember to set your altimeter to 29.92 when cruising
above
> 18,000 feet...that the law!!! -
>
> Dick Gideon
> Freedom Bird
> 1989 35FC
> Rolla, MO
>
> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Bob Lawrence"
> > wrote:
> >
> > Hi Dave and Pete.
> > Local bar. pressure is 29.9...doesn't help.
> > Dave, my GPS is a Cobra..it doesn't have an altitude. Wish it
did.
> > Went to the local airport today (small here in Branson). Asked a
> >
local charter carrier where they got theirs done. Said they send
it
> > to Kansas City. They asked what aircraft it was in and I told
them
> a
> > Bluebird. They asked "Was that a Ultralight and how many
engines?"
> > Told them one engine and it used diesel. You should have seen
the
> > look on their faces..LOL..LOL it was GREAT!!
> > I will keep looking.
> > Bob Lawrence
> > 84 PT36
> > Branson, Mo. with nonworking altimeter....
> > >
> > > cross check the altitude with your GPS, set the altimeter to
> > match,
> > > then see how it goes. As indicated, barometric pressure can
> cause
> > > considerable variation. Indeed, since my coach just has a big
> > empty
> > > spot marked "altimeter" I just look at the GPS when I'm
curious
> > about
> > > the
altitude. It's usually pretty accurate.
> > >
> > > I note that when flying out of small airfields (that didn't
have
> > > accurate barometric reports) that we'd set the altimeter to
the
> > local
> > > posted field altitude.
> > >
> > > Pete Masterson
> > > '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> > > El Sobrante CA
> > > aeonix1@
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Jun 4, 2008, at 5:42 PM, Dave Erickson wrote:
> > >
> > > > Bob,
> > > >
> > > > Don't forget to check the altimeter setting. Should be
local
> > > > barometric
> > > > pressure if I remember right.
> > > >
> > > > Can also set the altimeter to show a known altitude and
cross
> > check
> > > > to
local
> > > > barometer.
> > > >
> > > > Dave
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Bob:
> > > >
> > > > I had one done at an instrument shop at Boeing Field for
$70.00.
> > > > They cleaned it and check it's calibration. They didn't
> certify
> > it
> > > > for flying by I don't expect my Bird to get too far off the
> > ground.
> > > > They said it was within 10 to 15 feet at all altitudes up to
> > 12,000.
> > > >
> > > > You might want to talk to a local instrument shop.
> > > >
> > > > Marv
> > > > 2004 M380
> > > > Ocean Shores, WA
> > > >
> > > > --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Bob Lawrence"
> > > > > wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >> Hi group,
> > > >>
> > > >> Pulled out the altimeter as not very accurate. Would have
> hated
> > to
> > > > have
> > > >> flown with this unit as it's 800 feet low.
> > > >>
> > > >> I know I could send it to an FAA licensed repair for bigger
> > bucks,
> > > > but
> > > >> was wondering if anybody has sent theirs somewhere that was
> > > > reasonable.
> > > >>
> > > >> Bob Lawrence
> > > >> 84 PT36
> > > >> Workcamping in Branson, Mo.
> > > >>
> > > >
> > >
>
> > > >
> > > > ------------------------------------
> > > >
> > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

[Pete Masterson]

I've heard that too... as a non-smoker, I've not had the experience,
but smokers carry a load of carbon monoxide in their bloodstream
that's much higher than average -- and CO really cuts the oxygen
carrying capacity of blood.

I let my pilot's license lapse some years ago ... and I only briefly
got above 12,000 ft (over the Tehachapis) thanks to a strong updraft
(in a Cessna 152) -- which I then used to increase air speed to fight
one incredible head wind out of the north (and I was trying to go to
Sacramento). Probably one of the longest flights for the distance --
I could see the trucks on I-5 passing me.

Had the nasty choice -- fly high into a nasty head wind or fly low in
limited visibility due to one of the famous valley fogs common to the
winter season.

Other than commercial flights, I think I've spent more time above 10K
feet on the ground than I ever did in the air.

I much prefer "taking the bus" to flying, anyway... (besides, my wife
never 'bought it' that FAA regs required I have two stewardesses on
board...)

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at CCW in RIverside, CA



On Jun 5, 2008, at 6:18 PM, Richard Gideon wrote:

> Pete: I'm told, at night, supplemental oxygen greatly improves the
> vision...some pilots use supp Oxygen when as low as 5,000 MSL. This
> would be especially beneficial for cigarette smokers...a smoker is
> more likely to become hypoxic at a much lower altitude. I've read
> that smoking pilots have a 'cabin altitude' of 7 or 8,000 when at sea
> level.
>
> Dick Gideon
> Freedom Bird
> 1989 35FC
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Pete Masterson
> wrote:
>>
>> A Blue Bird has an altimeter so you can fix it when it breaks.
>>
>> FAA rules require supplemental oxygen if you're above 10,000 ft
> for
>> more than 30 minutes in an unpressurized craft.
>>
>> I coulda used some supplemental oxygen in a few Colorado towns
> I've
>> been in...
>>
>> Pete Masterson
>> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
>> aeonix1@...
>> On the road at
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 5, 2008, at 5:07 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:
>>
>>> This may be a weird question but I am weird. My bird does not
> have
>>> an altimeter.
>>> I have often wondered why an altimeter is required in a bird. I
> am
>>> 65 pressing on and the air is quite thin at 10,000. Is that it?
>>> Can't breathe? There is no provision to manually lean the fuel
>>> mixture.
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[Pete Masterson]

Well, perhaps an FC31... as I recall, it was a 56 Packard Patrician
-- weighed over 4,200 lbs. (2/3 of it chrome.) Had a huge V8--about
300 hp (a lot for the era). 127" wheel base. Went like a bat out of
hell. Felt like driving down the road floating on a bed of
marshmallows. Definitely not the car for curvy roads. It was the last
"real" Packard built. After the '56 model year, they were based on a
Studebaker chassis.

The more I think about it, it was probably one of his Lincolns that
had the altimeter -- they're much less clear in my mind. (That
Packard was the first car I actually drove (at about age 13)).

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at CCW in Riverside, CA



On Jun 5, 2008, at 6:18 PM, erniecarpet@... wrote:

> In a message dated 6/5/2008 7:04:21 P.M. Central Standard Time,
> aeonix1@... writes:
> I think my dad had a Lincoln or Packard that had an altimeter in it,
> a bazillion years ago (in the 50s). It had no practical value as far
> as I could tell
> Pete- that Packard probably weighed as much as my coach, 39,000+
> LOL!!!
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Livingston, Montana
>

[Pete Masterson]

I took my 'bird across Colorado (west to east) on I-70. There's quite
a stretch around Vail that's all above 10,000 ft.

Several years ago, we drove over the summit (above the Eisenhower
tunnel) in a car -- I recall feeling somewhat ill ('til we got a bit
lower). I vaguely recall that went near or above 12,000 ft.

Wife's been to the top of Pike's Peak -- I think I'd need to spend a
couple months above 8000 ft to acclimate before I'd try it these days.

(Living at 200 ft above sea level doesn't much prepare you for the
mountains...)

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at RIverside, CA



On Jun 5, 2008, at 6:32 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:

> That's right, me too. Telluride in the pickup.
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
>
> Pete Masterson wrote:
> A Blue Bird has an altimeter so you can fix it when it breaks.
>
> FAA rules require supplemental oxygen if you're above 10,000 ft for
> more than 30 minutes in an unpressurized craft.
>
> I coulda used some supplemental oxygen in a few Colorado towns I've
> been in...
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> aeonix1@...
> On the road at
>
> On Jun 5, 2008, at 5:07 PM, Leroy Eckert wrote:
>
> > This may be a weird question but I am weird. My bird does not have
> > an altimeter.
> > I have often wondered why an altimeter is required in a bird. I am
> > 65 pressing on and the air is quite thin at 10,000. Is that it?
> > Can't breathe? There is no provision to manually lean the fuel
> > mixture.
>
>
>

[Steve Pfiffner]

Your body will acclimatize in about three weeks by producing more
red blood cells to compensate. Breathing oxygen helps with the nausea
buts slows the transition.

Steve
Wannabee

----- Original Message -----
From: "Pete Masterson"
To:
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 12:27 AM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Altimeter repair


>I took my 'bird across Colorado (west to east) on I-70. There's quite
> a stretch around Vail that's all above 10,000 ft.
>
> Several years ago, we drove over the summit (above the Eisenhower
> tunnel) in a car -- I recall feeling somewhat ill ('til we got a bit
> lower). I vaguely recall that went near or above 12,000 ft.
>
> Wife's been to the top of Pike's Peak -- I think I'd need to spend a
> couple months above 8000 ft to acclimate before I'd try it these days.
>
> (Living at 200 ft above sea level doesn't much prepare you for the
> mountains...)
>
> Pete Masterson
> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
> aeonix1@...
> On the road at RIverside, CA