Old Gyros ... and Radium.

[GAHorn]

I was recently reminded of something I thought I should pass along.

A couple of years ago I "collected" some old gyros that I thought would be "cool" to have. They included some AN gyros just like was original to our Cessna 170's, many of them military surplus.

Some of them have a "yellowed' paint for their markings on the dials. It glows in the dark, just like so many of the old gyros did. (Intended to glow in case of cockpit lighting failure.)

Unfortunately, back in the "good ol' days" they used REAL RADIUM when they made wristwatches and clocks and gyros that "glow in the dark", and that stuff is dangerous. It causes cancer. It is no longer legal to mfr such items, and I don't know of any instrument shop that will accept them for repair. Most shippers will not transport them if they are told about it. Land-fills will not accept them either. No one wants them around. And there's no simple way to dispose of them unless your local authority has a "hazardous waste collection day" like some locales occasionally do.

Moral of the story: Ask before you buy or ship these items.

[mike roe]

If you come across any of the Sperry F3(also referred to 8 ball type)gyro horizons,I can properly dispose of them.Some instrument shops have got,or in the process of getting, the approval($$)from the feds to work on these instruments.Keystone in Lockhaven is one.A large portion of their work is in the antique ,classic aircraft.I have heard of one fellow in CA who purchased from the govt many surplus instruments.A couple years ago when this blew up the feds discovered he had them.To make a long story short,they took them back,fined him,charged him with hazardous clean up and disposal fees.
Remember,I can properly dispose of the F3 gyro horizons,pm me for shipping instructions.

[MoonlightVFR]

I still fly behind a AN gyro, it is still a legal installation.

There are so many of the ".... ruining the earth" scenarios.

Radium in the landfill we don't need.

I remember having glow in the dark spurs as an 8 yr cowboy. Hopalong Cassity ?

Am I correct in assuming that most of the AN gyros did not have radium markings?

When I have finished a flight and am at the tie down the sound of AN gyro winding down was always pleasurable.
Signature of another sucessful trip.

Regards

[GAHorn]

My own panel is still equipped with AN gyros. Most such gyros that have been re-built or overhauled have had the radium removed and repainted decades ago. While they have certain limitations when compared to "modern" 3-1/8-inch instruments...they also have certain advantages and are certainly legal, good instruments.

I had a Hop-a-long Cassidy hot-chocolate mug (but it went in the same garage sale my mother sold my autographed photos of the original seven Mercury astronauts.)