News
4-24-24
Vic shows how to install and time direct drive and retard Bendix mags with a sureSTART on an IO540
4-17-24
Vic and Andrew discuss the necessity of time/hour overhauls on Hartzell constant speed propellers. They should be overhauled at 2000 hours or 8 years. They also remind owners of hose life limits. Non teflon-lined hoses should be replaced at 8 years.
Then Vic introduces the Smart family who built an RV-7A and highlights Emily Smart who has worked her way to the right seat of a CRJ 90.
3-24-24
Vic discusses a recent Pre-Buy on an RV-7A. The Hartzell propeller had been cut down from 72″ to 70″ resulting in an unapproved Prop/engine combination.
He highlights Van’s SL-00097 which has links to Hartzell Propeller technical documents.
http://www.vansaircraft.com/service-information-and-revisions/sl-00097/
3-1-24
Vic shows the latest shop findings. Axial play on a pmag. https://emagair.com/service-notes/. He also shows the cause of sharp teeth on the starter ring.
3-1-24
Vic, Rebecca, and Andrew present an update on the business.
2-25-24
Vic simulates a first flight in his RV-10.
2/23/24
Vic talks us through the first flight airborne portion.
2/18/24.
Vic shows us the finished upgrades to his RV-10.
2/16/24
Vic discusses part 3 of his first flight series: the pilot on the ground .
2/11/24
Vic shares Part 2 of his first flight series: the Aircraft.
2-4-24
Vic starts a 5 part series on first flight preparation with a discussion of first engine runs.
1-22-24
Vic shows the steps he uses to prep the RV-10 for winter flights. He also discusses his webinars for Homebuilders week.
1-18-24.
EAA Homebuilders week is next week Jan 22-26.
Vic is presenting the two webinars listed below:
Buying a Used Van’s RV Aircraft. Wed Jan 24 2:30-3:45 CST. Vic Syracuse
https://pages.eaa.org/2024-01-2403.HBW_UsedRvs_LP-Registration.html
Common Builder and Maintenance Errors Fri Jan 26 7-8:15 CST. Vic Syracuse
https://pages.eaa.org/2024-01-2606.HBW_Errors_LP-Registration.html
We are offering 20% off the digital downloads of all of our books on ejunkie-use promo code EAAWEB through Feb 1
EAA is offering free shipping on print books on purchases over $25 and 20% off discount for members.Use promo code CELEBRATE through Feb 3
See our store page for links.
1-10-24
Vic shows how to assemble a stainless braided teflon hose. He also clarifies how to test resistance on Lightspeed ignitions and coils.
1-5-24
Vic explains his mag and lightspeed ignitions and the maintenance involved with them.
12/31/23
Vic discusses the ongoing maintenance requirements for both the Lightspeed electronic ignition and the Slick mag in his RV10.
12-15-23
Vic visits Advanced Flight Systems in Canby, Oregon. He works with Rob and Jenn Hickman to show the panel making process and introduces the employees.
11-29-23
Vic shows a alternate air intake on a RV-7 that has broken. Then he shows one on another RV in the shop that is correct.
11-24-23
Lulu.com, which we use to print Vic’s Maintenance Handbook for Van’s RV Aircraft and Pre-Buy Guide for Amateur Built Aircraft, is running a 30% off sale on all books. The discount code has been changed to TWINKLE30 and the new offer entends through Tues Nov 28. While anyone can take advantage, lulu.com has overseas printing locations that make getting a printed copy of the books for international customers more affordable than shipping from the US. Many customers from EUR, GBP, AUD and CAD have taken advantage of the overseas printing options. The option to add the discount code is not obvious as reflected in the post by Sam below. Please note these steps to get the discount and do not finalize the transaction unless you see the discount reflected in the price. Also some people have said the process doesn’t work on their mobile so use a different device.
Use one of the links at the bottom and add the book to your cart.
Select the option check out as a guest and enter your email address and other info. Select continue to shipping.On the right side under the price you will see Add a discount code+ under the price.Add the code TWINKLE30 and hit APPLY.
Again verify you have the discounted price showing before you finalize the transaction.
The links to the books are below:
Maintenance Handbook for Van’s RV Aircraft:
https://www.lulu.com/shop/vic-syracu…e=1&pageSize=4
Pre-Buy Guide for Amateur Built Aircraft:
www.lulu.com/shop/vic-syracuse/pre-buy-guide-for-amateur-built-aircraft/paperback/product-jjw2pg.html?q=Pre-Buy+Guide+For+&page=1&pageSize=4
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11/06/23
Vic discusses high CHT’s on an RV-10 due to leaking intake gaskets. He also shows improper and proper control mounts.
10-5-23
Vic troubleshoots a dual Lightspeed Ignition system in a RV-7A
9-23-23
Vic explains CHT vs EGT and how to correct both in an injected engine.
9-13-23
.Vic explains the required maintenance of carburetors and floats on Rotax 912uls engines.
8-31-23
Vic reminds owners to check their ELT’s at the recommended time schedule.
8-12-23
Vic walks the team through a prop balance on a Lycoming engine.
8-7-23
Vic discusses ELT checks and shows a ACK 450 ELT from an RV-10 that is defective and the subject of AD 2017-16-01.
8-5-23
Back from Airventure, Vic shows a broken rudder stop on an RV-10 troubleshoots why so much left rudder is required. He also gives Rotax 912 advice.
7-14-23
Vic shows how to remove the starter ring gear on the flywheel. The second video shows Rebecca reattach it.
7-14-23
Vic introduces the rest of the team.
7-1-23
Vic explains the changes to Base Leg Aviation going forward and introduces Andrew and Rebecca Anderson.
6-22-23
It’s been a while… today Vic shows a damaged airbox on a RV-7 due to a shrunken, hardened air filter. He shows a fix for it. Next he shows how a miss timed mag can cause high CHT’s.
5-26-23
Vic explains what paperwork was missing in an RV-14.
5-19-23
Vic walks you through what he finds on the latest shop condition inspection on a RV-9A.
5-12-23
We are back to posting Base Leg Aviation maintenance videos when we discover issues in the shop. Here is the most recent video.
5-2-23
BEST NEWS EVER! Van’s Aircraft has purchased 200 copies of Maintenance Handbook for Van’s RV Aircraft. So if you haven’t purchased a copy yet, add it to your cart and have it sent out with your next order.
https://store.vansaircraft.com/book-baseleg-maintenance.html
4-19-23
We are pleased to announce that Aircraft Spruce is now offering Maintenance Handbook for Van’s RV Aircraft. They are now in stock.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/bvpages/syracuse_13-24461.php
4-7-23
We now offer print on demand hard copies of our Maintentance Handbook for Van’s RV Aircraft for overseas customers as well as US customers. Go to our store page for purchase options.
3-22-23
GREAT NEWS: WE JUST RELEASED OUR NEW BOOK: MAINTENANCE HANDBOOK FOR VAN’S RV AIRCRAFT. GO TO OUR STORE PAGE FOR PURCHASE OPTIONS AND SEE THE VIDEO ANNOUNCEMENT BELOW
2-17-23
Keep up with our YouTube channel. We post one or two videos weekly. Below is the current video.
@baselegaviation 1614
1/17/23
Happy New Year! We’ve posted a new video on braided hoses.
12/24/22
Merry Christmas. We posted a new video on rod end bearings and fire extinguishers.
12/8/22
Check out our latest youtube video on Installing a fuel float sender on a Van’s RV-8
11/23/22
SEE OUR STORE PAGE FOR OUR BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND SALE ON OUR INSPECTION BOOK:
NOW THROUGH MIDNIGHT NOVEMBER 28,2022
10/10/22 Our newest YouTube video on magnetos is available at our @base leg aviation channel:
https://youtu.be/Prm_96y3wAo
9/28/22 We have been posting youtube videos at our channel @ base leg aviation for over a year. Here is the link to the lastest maintenance update:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MKznIbWkzU
3/1/21 – Want to sell or buy a Van’s RV or Amateur-Built aircraft? Get a Pre-sale or Pre-buy inspection at Base Leg Aviation. We are the leaders in Van’s RV’s for Prebuy/Presale and Condition Inspections; We will broker your airplane so that it sells for top dollar after we ensure it is ready for a new owner once it has passed our rigorous inspection process. The Condition Inspection, less parts and labor to fix anything, is included as part of our brokerage service.
2/7/21 – Vic presented two webinars during EAA Homebuilders Week. Here are the links to both:
Condition Inspections by Vic Syracuse:
https://eaa.org/Videos/Webinars/Aircraft-Building/6227716500001
11/20/20 – We are pleased to announce that Aircraft Spruce is now carrying our books;
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/bvpages/syracuse_13-23349.php
Are Your Nuts Tight Guide to Identifying Problems on Your Amateur-Built Aircraft $74.95
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/bvpages/syracuse_13-23351.php
8/21/2020 – We have added a “Store” page to the website that has information on the books and where/how to purchase them. See it here
8/21/2020 – I’m very happy to announce a new ebook that we have been working on for a while now. Titled: Are Your Nuts Tight Guide to problems on your Amateur-Built Aircraft”.
8/10/2020 – Great News! While I didn’t learn how to play a musical instrument during COVID, I did take the time to write a book on Pre-buys for Amateur-Built aircraft. I haven’t been able to travel commercially during the this time, so I came up with the next best thing. Anyone should now be able to perform a high-quality pre-purchase examination of an amateur-built aircraft, either alone or with your inspector, with the book in hand. It’s 12 chapters long, spiral-bound, on glossy, high-quality paper, with over 200 color pictures, a checklist, and hints for both the seller and buyer. It is the culmination of over 13 years of inspecting thousands of amateur-built aircraft. With the cost of the average pre-buy averaging $1000 (including travel), this book is a huge value. For those of you who currently own or have built an amateur-built aircraft, you will be able to use it yourself to inspect your aircraft, or give it to your mechanic.
6/23/2020 – Some exciting news: We have trademarked our logo and our tag-line “Are Your Nuts Tight?” and are awaiting Registration confirmation from the U.S. Patent and TradeMarking Office. Since we have yet to see 2 weeks go by without finding a loose jamnut, we are going to again start a campaign on eliminating loose jaunts. We may even begin posting monthly the number of loose ones we find, but we promise to leave the guilty names off the list. 🙂
2/15/2020 – Just a reminder that Vic will be giving another EAA RV maintenance webinar this coming Wednesday, Feb 19, at 7 PM CST. He will highlight some more areas, clarify some common questions from the last webinar, and discuss new issues not covered in the prior webinar. Hope to see you there!
2/9/2020 – “April 23rd, 2010 the tail kit for my RV8 arrived. After almost 10 years of building, she flew for the first time yesterday. Even though I have had my transition training and are qualified to fly her. I don’t have the tailwheel experience nor the understanding of the intricacies of engine performance “should and should not’s”. Knowing I would have Vic Syracuse be the DAR, I had him come down a few years ago to make sure I was headed in the right direction. Last month when I put in the paperwork for an inspection, I asked if he would be the “test pilot” for my maiden voyage, he agreed. Yesterday, I received my “airworthiness certificate” and Vic flew the plane. All was good! I plan to get a few more hours of training over the next few weeks and begin phase 1.
Huge shout out to Vic and “BaseLeg Aviation” for keeping me headed in the right direction!” 
1/18/2020 – We are really pleased to announce that Base Leg Aviation is now an authorized Service and Maintenance facility for Rotax 9 series engines, having been duly trained at Lockwood Aero in Sebring Fl. Even though Vic has been installing, flying, and maintaining these engines since 1992, the training is not only a requirement for warranty work, it is well put together and very informational. Those of you who are maintaining your own engines should really consider taking at least the 2 day class.
12/11/2019 – Here’s a link to the EAA webinar Vic presented on RV Maintenance Gotchas
I will be giving Seminars at Airventure 2019 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Two of them will be on RV Maintenance Gotcha’s and two will be on Prebuys.
The dates and locations:
RV Maintenance Homebuilder’s Hangar 7/22 1:30
7/26 10 AM
Prebuys Homebuilder’s Hangar 7/23 2:30
Workshop Classroom B 7/25 11:30
In February 2019, we had our first Customer Appreciation day/Grand Opening, and are in full operating mode now.