1. EXHAUST SYSTEM (FROM AOPA PILOT MARCH 2001) 20% OF POWER LOSSES OR PARTIAL POWER FAILURE DUE TO BAD EXHAUST BAFFLES RASH OF FATAL ACCIDENTS IN 1995 AND 1996 TRACED TO INADEQUATE EXHAUST SYTEM MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION

2. EXHAUST SYSTEM 321 STAINLESS STEEL (CHROMIUM- NICKEL STEEL) USED ON MOST GA AIRCRAFT (NON-TURBOCHARGED ENGINES) GOOD STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE FROM 800 DEGREES TO 1600 DEGREES F

3. EXHAUST SYSTEM EASY TO INSPECT: –LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO EXHAUST GASES CHANGES METAL STRUCTURE –WORN-OUT PIPE CHARACTERIZED BY BLUISH-BLACK COLOR; APPEARANCE OF SMALL ERUPTIONS ON SURFACE –SEVERELY WORN PIPES LOOK LUMPY AND SAGGY DUE TO METAL “FLOWING” AS IT LOSES STRENGTH

4. EXHAUST SYSTEM SHINE FLASHLIGHT UP EXHAUST PIPE TO CHECK CONDITION OF INTERNAL PARTS (BAFFLES) IN HEAT EXCHANGER IF BAFFLE IS WAVY, DISTORTED, OR ERODED, IT REQUIRES REPAIR BAFFLE MATERIAL CAN BREAK OFF AND BLOCK EXIT PIPE AC 91.59 CITES 20% OF PARTIAL POWER FAILURES DUE TO BAFFLE FAILURES

5. EXHAUST SYSTEM INSPECT OUTER COWL FOR EVIDENCE OF EXHAUST LEAKAGE (#1 EXHAUST SYSTEM PROBLEM) GRAYISH OR BROWNISH TRAILS STREAMING AFT SIGNAL LEAK GAS IS HOT AND CORROSIVE AND QUICKLY ERODES ALUMINUM FLANGES OF CYLINDER HEAD

6. EXHAUST SYSTEM “UNLIKE OTHER CRITICAL AIRPLANE SYSTEMS, THERE IS NO REDUNDANCY WHERE YOUR EXHAUST SYSTEM IS CONCERNED”