A pilot in Anchorage showed me a trick with a paper clip for a stuck DME knob

We were stuck on the ramp with a King KDM 706A that wouldn't turn on. The pilot, an older guy named Carl, pulled a paper clip from his flight bag, straightened it, and gently slid it under the power knob's edge. He gave it a tiny wiggle and the unit clicked right on. He said, 'Dirt gets in there and stops the switch from making contact. This has saved me a dozen times.' Has anyone else found a simple fix like that for a stubborn avionics switch?

3 comments

3 Comments

harper_owens16d agoTop Commenter

Could the paper clip trick work on other push-button switches that feel dead, or is it just a lucky fix for that specific model? I've seen similar things with old car stereos where a little dust buildup blocks the contact, but always wondered if it cracks something inside over time. Seems like a gamble between saving a flight or breaking a switch for good.

hall.nora25d ago

Oh man, that's a lifesaver.

the_phoenix25d ago

Tbh a little tap with a pen cap works for a sticky transponder IDENT button too.