05-20 · RECORD 2 OF 4

Airworthiness Directive

1992 · Thrust Reverser Recordings · 4 tracks

A mandatory record, in their telling. Compliance was not presented as optional.

1. 01Magneto Drop3:38
2. 02Left Mag Only3:19
3. 03Carb Ice4:01
4. 04Firewall3:57
   Lyrics (reference only)

   New engine on the mount.
   Every line is safetied.
   Chocks against the mains.
   Tail tied to the ring.
   Mixture rich. Prime it three.
   Throttle cracked. Master on.
   "Clear prop!"
   It catches on the second blade.
   
   Oil pressure in thirty seconds,
   or I shut it down.
   
   Firewall! Throttle to the stop.
   Firewall! Brakes set, yoke back, and I don't let go.
   Static RPM: is it in the range,
   or is it coming off again?
   
   Twenty-three-forty on the tach.
   The book gives a range. We're in it.
   Left mag. Right mag. Both.
   Cylinder temps climbing even.
   Oil temp in the green.
   The airplane wants to go.
   It is not going anywhere.
   
   Firewall! Throttle to the stop.
   Firewall! Brakes set, yoke back, and I don't let go.
   Static RPM: is it in the range,
   or is it coming off again?
   
   Chocked! Tied! Locked! Held!
   Chocked! Tied! Locked! Held!
   Nothing flies today.
   There is no turbulence on the ramp,
   only insufficient understanding.
   
   Idle. Mixture to cutoff.
   Mags off. Key out. Master off.
   Cowl off again, a flashlight in my teeth,
   looking for a drop of anything that shouldn't be there.
   Dry. I write it up:
   engine installed, ground run, no leaks.
   D. Krantz.
   
   Firewall! Throttle to the stop.
   Firewall! Brakes set, yoke back, and I don't let go.
   Static RPM: is it in the range,
   or is it coming off again?
   
   Fuel. Fire. Full power. Going nowhere.