Dan K wrote:
I had the experience of examining a PV-2 post ferry flight. Several pulleys of the flight control system were frozen solid--the pilots had basically been pulling the control cables through them anyway.
I think you will find that this is a common occurrence on older aircraft, especially those which don't fly much or spend significant amounts of time out in the weather.
If the pulleys or cable rollers don't significantly change the direction of the control cable, the cable tension doesn't put much of a normal force on them- so the cables just slide over them if they are not adequately lubricated. Many aircraft also have fixed micarta fairleads in the control sytems so the cables just drag over them anyhow.
I'm sure the pilots wouldn't have flown the plane if they experienced binding in the controls during pre-flight checks.
Also, the pilot is not necessarily the mechanic certifying the aircraft as airworthy for the ferry flight. The pilot does a walkaround inspection for obvious flaws and check the controls for feedom of movement. The pilot is not expected to climb into the tailcone as part of his pre-flight inspection.
I doubt that ferry pilots are braver than anyone else. Many ferry pilots deliver brand new aircraft to their owners, not just antique aircraft being repositioned to alternate maintenance locations.