Piper Parts and Maintenance

Since Mr. Piper introduced the Piper Cub in 1937, Piper aircraft have trained generations of pilots and carried business travelers in equal measure. Keeping a Piper flying depends on a handful of interconnected systems: landing gear, wheel & brake, fuel, electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, and pneumatic. Each has its own parts, wear points, and maintenance intervals.

At Aircraft Accessories International (AAI), we work on Piper aircraft every day as an FAA and EASA Part 145 repair station. This guide walks through the Piper models AAI supports and what owners, mechanics, and fleet managers should know about maintaining each of the aircraft's core systems.

Piper's Hydraulic Landing Gear Design

Many Piper aircraft utilize hydraulic actuators to extend and retract components such as landing gear and flap systems. A hydraulic actuator uses hydraulic power to facilitate mechanical operation, with an aircraft's hydraulic system delivering force from a hydraulic pump to a piece of equipment using hydraulic fluid.

Piper Landing Gear Inspection Requirements

When it comes to a Piper hydraulic actuator, there is no calendar or cycle overhaul requirement, but AAI recommends inspecting it during each annual inspection to determine if overhaul is needed.

Common Landing Gear Inspection Findings

Corrosion and wear tend to be the worst problem with hydraulic systems. AAI commonly receives hydraulic actuators in for leaks and is able to identify more severe root causes that can be fixed and fully restored, rather than simply replacing seals.

Landing Gear Repair Services

AAI performs detailed inspections and develops surface repairs to ensure Piper hydraulic actuators and landing gear parts are ready to go back into service. AAI services Piper models including the PA-23 Aztec, PA-46 Malibu, PA-31 Navajo, and PA-28 Cherokee.

Piper Wheel and Brake Parts and Services

AAI carries and services brake assemblies, brake master cylinders, and wheel assemblies for Piper aircraft as part of its certified parts capabilities.

More Wheel and Brake Content Coming Soon

Stay tuned. We'll be producing future videos and articles about brake wear indicators, wheel assembly inspection intervals, and AAI's repair-or-replace process.

Piper Fuel System Parts and Services

A fuel selector valve lets the pilot choose which tank feeds the engine, and is made up of a body, rotor, seals, shafts, and detent springs.

AAI recommends checking regularly for damage, cracks, or corrosion, leaks, loose fittings, stiff or binding operation, and any fuel smell in the cabin.

There is typically no set requirement for flight hours or years between fuel selector valve overhauls, since overhaul need is based on the valve's condition, though a common rule of thumb is to overhaul the fuel selector valve at the same time as the engine.

AAI is among a small number of repair stations that overhauls Piper fuel selector valves outside the manufacturer's own factory, with numerous FAA tech approvals in place.

Piper Electrical System Parts

AAI services alternators, magnetos, starters, starter generators, and tach generators as part of its certified Piper parts capabilities.

More Electrical Part Content Coming Soon

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Piper Hydraulic Parts

Piper hydraulic actuators and hydraulic power packs are among the parts AAI services most for the Piper lineup.

Hydraulic systems on smaller aircraft made up of components that do not require a great deal of force to operate are often driven by an electric pump, referred to as a power pack, rather than the main aircraft engine, which means these systems can be easily overlooked if not inspected regularly.

Recommended preventative maintenance for Piper hydraulic actuators and power packs:

• Wipe piston rods after each flight to remove moisture and debris

• Follow the lubrication schedule outlined in the maintenance manual

• Check for damage, cracks, and corrosion on a regular basis

• Inspect for oil leaks and service with oil regularly

• Inspect connecting joints and bolts for looseness

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Like a hydraulic actuator, a Piper hydraulic power pack has no specific calendar or cycle overhaul requirement, but AAI recommends inspecting it during each annual inspection to determine if overhaul is needed.

Piper Mechanical Parts

AAI services flap actuators, flap motors, and flight control actuators as part of its certified Piper parts capabilities.

Piper Mechanical Content Coming Soon

Piper Pneumatic Parts

Piper Pneumatic Content Coming Soon